My friend called today and her Quaker once again laid an egg,this time on the kitchen counter.She is concerned because the shell feels soft to the touch.I have some powdered calcium supplement I am going to take to her later,because it sounds like she needs a calcium boost.This is her 5-6 egg laying session this year so far,what can she do to discourage laying? I suggested changing everything around in her cage.She said she also had a little head twitching thing going on,could this be related to the egg laying or low calcium levels? I haven't seen her yet,I'm going to drive down tonight to see for myself,besides she is do to have her wings clipped.Thanks

Michelle, does she allow the Quaker to complete the cycle by sitting on the eggs?

Edited to add: Along with the calcium supp. I would immediately cut back on day light hours also.

I used to have a little cockatiel that laid eggs constantly and I tried everything. Finally I gave her to this elderly man and his sweet wife and she never laid another egg. Go figure. Good luck with this. I bet her calcium level is low.

Karen-She lets her keep the eggs until she ends up breaking them or they are over 30 days old.I forgot about the day light hours,I will bring that up.I'm headed down there now.

Yes, the head twitch is indicative of hypocalcium (calcium is needed for a healthy nervous system -birds with very low calcium levels go into convulsions). Unless the powdered supplement is meant especifically for birds, do not use it. Calcium is always provided with magnesium and birds require a specific ratio ( recommend liquid Calciboost). The bird should get the calcium supplement five days in a row and then rest for two, then once a week until she stops laying. Take the water bowl in the evening and give it back with fresh water and calcium in the am. The bird will be nice and thirsty and will drink enough to make a difference.

My Quaker laid every single spring but only during the breeding season. Quakers are not tropical birds but from a temperate climate and they are extremely photoperiodic. If your friend's bird is laying all year round is because she is not been kept at a strict natural daylight schedule. She needs to do that asap. The bird will end up dead if she doesn't.

Beatrice-Thank you I will look into the Calciboost,but the powder I have is meant for birds.I just got back from there and the egg is not soft shelled,it has no shell it is just the soft membrane. I will call her and tell her to be more set in her birds bed time.Thank you for your advice.

Michelle, that doesn't sound good for the hen. If it were me I would be into the AV to get a calcium shot to get her levels up right now. I also use CalciBoost as a supp.

Karen where do you get your Calciboost?

Michelle, I order from DJ Feathers. They're in VA so shipment is usually quick. You can always contact them and tell them you need it ASAP.

Calciboost Liquid
LINK: http://www.djfeathers.com/shop/index...95f661c6009574

Calciboost Powder (This is what I use)
LINK: http://www.djfeathers.com/shop/index...95f661c6009574

It is easily absorbed and quickly gets to the bones, nerves and muscles where it is needed.

No shell is real bad! She is one egg away from eggbinding and that can be fatal! Please, take her to the vet. In the meantime, use the calciboost asap and feed her hardboiled eggs (animal products have vitamin D3, needed for calcium absorption) and foods rich in calcium (broccoli, kale, turnip greens) starting immediately. Also, if she doesn't eat cuttlebone on her own, scrape a bit of it on her soft food.