Reproductive diseases of pet bird species

Ovarian radiographic and direct measurements of Japanese Quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) submitted to light restriction

“…There are reports that say the decrease of the photoperiod can cease egg production (Romagnano, 1996;Pye et al, 2001), there is no information about the necessary time of reduced photoperiod and the light conditions (light intensity, type of artificial light) to promote ovary involution and to stop egg production (Bowles, 2002;Rosen, 2012). In the period of the year with higher brightness, the weight of bird's ovary increases threefold and the weight of bird's oviduct increases 16 times (Follett et al, 1973), which suggests that a reduction by the same proportion could reduce reproductive complications (Hernandez-Divers, 2005) and behavior disorders due to reproductive frustration (Cubas and Godoy, 2007).…”

“…It is important to consider that only decreasing photoperiod may not be enough to stop egg laying, since there are other variables that influence the reproductive cycle such as calorierich diet, presence of toys in the cage and pairing with humans (Bowles, 2002). There is also a need for studies with different species in an attempt to reproduce the results and to evaluate the time for ovary involution required for each species of bird.…”

“…Artificial lighting may interfere with the normal annual light cycle and result in inappropriate hormonal cycling, which may lead to excessive egg laying and other problems (Bowles, 2002). Hormonal treatments have been used to stop egg laying, but do not do so permanently (Pye et al, 2001).…”

“…Hormonal treatments have been used to stop egg laying, but do not do so permanently (Pye et al, 2001). Husbandry changes should include decreasing the photoperiod to 8 -10 hours of light per day (Bowles, 2002;Rosen, 2012), but there is a lack of useful information to determine the efficacy of this procedure. Some factors can mask the results, such as the type of lighting (incandescent, high frequency or low frequency fluorescent light) (Evans et al, 2012) and light intensity during the day and at night.…”

Emergency and Critical Care of Pet Birds

“…Serum chemistries may reveal hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglobulinemia supportive of an ovulating hen. There may be a hypocalcemia present if the hen's calcium stores are depleted, and particularly if she is consuming a low-calcium diet such as seed [42][43][44]. The owner should be instructed on methods to stop the chronic egg laying as decreasing the light cycle, removing the male bird, and/or changing location of the cage.…”