Egg Bound Gouldian (successful intervention)

[sgreen91]

Bought two gouldian finches from the local pet shop. A month later she started laying eggs. After her third egg, there was an interval of 3 days and she started to become lethargic; keeping her head under her wing and not moving much. I decided to have a look and so it was that an egg appeared to be stuck. As I've never experienced this, I had a look online for some treatments and someone said it was advised to "steam" the bird and apply baby oil onto the egg laying area. After a few hours of interval steaming and applying the oil/massaging the egg down, she finally passed the egg amongst a lot of other fluids.

She's looking much better though still a little lethargic. Hope she will get better!

[SamDavis]

Great result. I don't think the old steaming method is recommended or practiced much these days, nevertheless maybe it helped in your case.

[natamambo]

Make sure she gets calcium or she'll remain weak and unable to fly.

Drinking water method is the easiest.

[vettepilot_6]

I would do what Natamambo suggests..especially during winter, I give all my birds liquid calcium once a week....works for me

[sgreen91]

I do have some calcium in the cage and plenty of water and seed. I'll get some liquid calcium just in case. I'll have to do some more research re the newer methods. Thanks for all the heads up and replies everyone.

[finchbreeder]

Modern method. Place in a hospital cage (small cage with warmth) till egg is passed. Glad to hear she is OK
LML

[kimberley breeder]

Glad you had sucess. I would also put eggshells in the hospital box and once the egg passess give a bit of spark for a couple of days and let her fully recover Ive saved many finches this way

[KENTUCKY]

I feed my Gouldians liquid Calcium on a daily basis during breeding Season, and still I will get the odd egg bound hen Cacium Sandoz is the products name I use, its a Syrup for babies, Chemists stock it, so do Vets.
Two drops direct to the Beak plus 3 drops per once(30ml) in the drinking Water,keep her isolated and warm overnight and if bright and lively next morning release her if not straight onto medication.

[Pete Sara]

Well done , like the others have said keep the calcium up and warmth, But from a personal point of view I think oil the vent is a wives tale. It would be good if its pushing an egg in and not out, but thats my opinion . But if it puts your mind at ease in doing so , so be it.

Its always a good feeling on having a win with a sick bird... pete