Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Michael G. reaches back out with a new pet bird keeping challenge.

 

Hi, Mitch, I ordered a clamp-on light fixture for Lil’ Girl and Big Boy. 

 

While they have sunlight on the end of their cage (3′) and down one side (5′).

 

I figured it couldn’t hurt as the sunlight is filtered by windows with a light tint and filled with Argon gas which, I think, only prevents fogging. 

 

I am not sure about its filtering effect. 

 

Also, I was curious about “corpuscle of Herbst” and went to Merriam-Webster’s medical definitions site.

 

They asked why I was asking and where the term appeared.

 

I mentioned Windy City Parrot and posted your quote, From Windy City Parrot’s “Sunday Birdie Brunch“.

 

Mitch Rezman said, “Unlike bird’s toenails and dissimilar human teeth and nails, beaks are not inert carotin but living organisms.”

 

He explained about a “spot” on a bird’s beak.

 

So, maybe your blog and your “famous-ity” will be spotted on their site!

 

 Lil’ girl laid 3 eggs! I am not sure if fertile but they are in a nesting box flat on a plywood surface

 

I read not to disturb for 6-7 weeks. 

 

 

There is no nesting material such as straw.

 

Can she hatch them in that environment?

 

I really don’t want new birds. 

 

Last time I removed the eggs. 

 

How does that affect her? 

 

She is 22.

 

I have had her only 2 years and don’t know her past laying history.

 

She had eggs when I got her but I destroyed them.

 

She laid again the early part of the year and Big Boy stepped on them. 

 

I guess what I am asking is “Help”!

 

~ Michael G. Shreveport, LA

 

Cool on that Merriam Webster thing, Michael.

 

I know something about thermal windows having sold them door-to-door for 10 years back in the 90s.

 

Argon gas is pumped into the space between the two sandwiched panes of glass in a thermally insulated window because it is denser than air thus improving the efficiency of the window.

 

Today’s thermally insulated windows usually have special low-E (short for low emissivity) glass coating, when combined with an argon-filled pane, you get a very energy-efficient product.

 

How windows and siding are still sold.

 

It comes down to “I really don’t want more birds”, doesn’t it Michael?

 

One of the worst behaviors of a brooding hen is “protecting” the eggs.

 

A bird who you thought you knew ever so well, will treat you as the enemy.

 

Let’s end this right now so everyone benefits, shall we?

 

I’ll walk you through the basics.

 

I Want My Freakin Bird Back but She’s Held Hostage by Her Eggs

 

The eggs and the breeding box have to go.

 

Any other potentially dark (a good place to make babies) holes like under the couch or in a kitchen cabinet are now “off-limits”

 

No more stroking the bird below the neck and finally add light therapy.

 

 Lil’ girl goes into lockdown.

 

In her cage for 72 hours up to168 hours not to be let out.

 

 The new light stays on the entire time.

 

 The result will look something like this.

 

 

 

We are resetting her circadian rhythm.

 

Reduce her food, especially at night.

 

“Plentiful food” encourages her to have babies because she feels shall have enough to feed the babies too.

 

Immediately start her on a calcium supplement.

 

Roughly 40% of the eggshells produced by Lil’ Girl are calcium which would otherwise be helping other parts of her metabolism.

 

 

 An underlying problem with birds that have laid eggs is the depletion of calories and the dilution of protein production.

 

In other words, calories are typically used for things like providing energy to metabolic systems, growing feathers, enabling climbing and flight.

 

The eggs Lil’ Girl generated are courtesy of the calories siphoned off from the rest of the bird’s systems.

 

So she if seems “weary” for a while, it’s okay.

 

Just watch her for any possible health deterioration i.e.drooping wings, egg binding, heaving breathing, and so forth.

 

Any of these would trigger a vet visit.

 

Should she produce more eggs anytime soon, repeat the extended light treatment.

 

 Keep us posted.

 

  Stay safe

 

  Best

  MitchR