Single female laying

[annie66]

We were surprised to find an egg at the bottom of my budgies cage, no male with her but she does love her mirror perch! Since laying she is very quiet and hunched over her perch with wing tremors occasionally, although she is eating and drinking ok.
Is this just an after effect of laying or could she be unwell?
She has mineral block and cuttlefish and through reading other threads we will change her cage toys, perches around tomorrow to see if this stops her laying again. Her vent is clean but she generally seems so depressed. 😪🐦

[clt80]

I know hen's can lay infertile eggs sometimes, but I don't know much about them other than it must be draining for them. Has she got supplements - calcivet you can add to her water, guardian angel etc? Is she eating okay? What are her droppings like?

[annie66]

Hi thanks for replying, she has a mineral block and her droppings are a bit more normal looking. Shes also plucked a small area of her chest but I presume that was for nesting material. She up this morning had a drink and is now leaning again on her mirror swing she seems to be staring at the bottom of the cage looking for her egg - so sad. I wonder if she thinks the egg is underneath her and shes incubating it? Hate to see her like this as she is normally very vocal!!

[clt80]

I think what you suggested in changing her cage about, some new toys, things to keep her mind occupied will help. If she does keep laying and it's compromising her health, you can buy dummy eggs for her to sit on.

[annie66]

Thats what I was worried about, either fretting or keeping laying. So, cage all cleared and rearranged and I've removed her mirror swing and replaced it with a normal swing and taken away her favourite bells. Its only been an hour or so and she looks like a new bird! Hopping on and off her swing and chattering!
Thankyou for your support, fingers crossed she feels happier and doesn't lay again!👍😃

[clt80]

Sounds very positive. Has reminded me I need to buy some new toys for mine!!