Last Updated on March 31, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Chris S. reported,

Our four-year-old parrotlet has recently started laying eggs.

She has suddenly begun nesting under the newspaper we put in the bottom of her cage.

So far she has laid three eggs which we have immediately removed from her cage.

We have also removed the newspaper and tried the 72-hr light method in the hopes of changing her hormone cycle.

Would appreciate any other suggestions or advice you might have.

Thanks!
Chris

Catherine Tobsing wrote:

Dear Chris

Glad you have knowledge of the Light Treatment. It should do the trick with a 72-hour treatment, if egg laying resumes, you can do the treatment for up to 7 days (and nights).

Once the treatment is done, set the light on a timer 12 hours on and 12 hours off, every day forever. We do 8:30 am to 8:30 PM currently.

Be sure to remove all paper and any shreddable toys. Remove all huts and any toys that she might be letting lay on her back or cover her up. No balls as they will be eggs in her mind. If she has a play top cage, the top tray must be removed and not returned.

How are you handling her? Are you snuggling up with her, stroking her back and body? If so, stop that and only pet her from the neck up.

Please let us know how it goes.

Catherine.