I have a hen here that is laying eggs too often. I have followed all the normal guidelines, location, light, diet, contact, etc. Nothing to date has helped. My AV feels the egg laying is psycologically related, because of her prior background and not environment related at this point.

So this leads me to my question. If you were faced with the next step would you first try drugs, ie: Lupron or would you opt for a Laser Surgery Hysterectomy? Neither are without risk.

I am having a hard time with this decision, but I'll be honest. As I am researching this subject, to make my decision, I am leaning in one direction more than the other. On many levels, I hate the thought of injecting her with a series of hormone drugs, that may ultimately not work.

Chronic Egg laying
http://www.exoticpetvet.com/breeds/birdsmashdiet4.htm
Chronic egg laying occurs when a hen lays eggs beyond the normal clutch size or has repeated clutches regardless of the existence of a suitable mate or breeding season. Humans, inanimate objects (toys, etc.), or birds of another species will stimulate this behavior. The chronically active female may exhibit weight loss from constant regurgitation and feather loss or mild dermatitis around the vent in association with masturbatory behavior. In some cases removing the eggs helps: in others, it doesn’t. Egg laying is ultimately controlled hormonally. It is noted that the most domesticated birds, cockatiels, budgerigars and lovebirds are the most chronic egg layers. Perhaps we have selected for this problem by producing birds that will breed in a variety of environmental situations (selective pressure).

If a completely nutritious diet is provided, hens can lay eggs for years. In most cases, however, malnutrition and the progressive stress and physiologic demands of egg laying will ultimately destroy the hen. Calcium deficiency leads to brittle bones, malformed eggs, uterine inertia, and generalized muscular weakness. Egg binding is common. Behavioral modification must be attempted to stop egg laying. Diminish the amount of daylight hours to eight, with sixteen hours of continuous darkness. Objects stimulating sexual behavior should be removed. Nest boxes and enclosure partners should be removed. Changing the location of the enclosure and rearranging the objects inside the cage often may help. Owners may need to stop handling the hen until reproductive behavior stops (sometimes 30 to 60 days).

Medical therapy includes correcting nutritional imbalances and infections. Hormones may be used to interrupt the cycle. They are not without side effects. Lupron seems to work the best. Ultimately, if nothing works, salpingohysterectomy is the long-term solution.

Certain species will reproduce up to four times a year (mainly Blue and Gold Macaws, cockatoos and Eclectus Parrots). Egg production in excess of two clutches a year will eventually lead to the same problems associated with chronic egg layers. Extra clutches should be avoided.

Some pictures of an endoscopic surgery. Graphic pictures.
http://www.vet.uga.edu/mis/exotics/referral.php

There are risks involved with both methods as you have stated.
I would start with the less stressful method first and see if it will work, Try the luprun injections, if this fails to work, move on to the next option.
It is this rehabber's past experiences concerning the Cronic egg laying issue that dictate my responce, there are actually more risks to concider with surgery.
Best wishes for either decission.
Arty

Karen -what species? I have an Ekkie who lays eggs about 3 times a year. My vet does not suggest hormone shots or a hysterectomy. He feels that, as long as she is otherwise healthy, to let her be a bird. I allow her to sit on her eggs for about 30 days and then remove them. I make sure she gets more calcium-enriched foods during that time period.

I do know of someone who had a hysterectomy performed on his Eclectus, but that was only after she almost died from being eggbound.

Not much help, but just my experience.

Kathie, she's a Greenwing. She lays 3 eggs every month. In December she didn't even make it a full month, before there were more eggs. She has no desire past the laying period of these eggs to be with them. The first eggs in December she didn't stay with them at all. We're falling short on Calcium despite supplementation and shots, evidenced by the appearance of the 3rd. egg. I have to make a decision which treatment it will be.

Kita update: She had her third egg Tuesday night to finish up this cycle. We were able to meet her needs nutritionally and with supplements so as this third egg didn't show any soft spots. So we did better in that area than we did last month.

I have made an appointment for this Tuesday to get Kita a Lupron shot. I don't know if she'll need one or a series. Time will tell. I'm having my AV get together a cost, care, prognosis and information estimate together for me, regarding surgery. So at least if I have to entertain the thought, I'm prepared.

From past experince K, there will be a series and or monthly injections.
I am praying so very sincerely concerning this issue, Please...Please lord....help the doctor help this bird, I am watching this thread with the highest of hopes.
Walking with you.
Arty

My AV has done a hysterectomy on a Tiel so it can be done on a Macaw. I would look at what is more stressful or dangerous to the bird-monthly injections or one surgery that would solve the problem forever.

Tara, my thoughts exactly! I don't want to chance ruining our relationship with these injections. My AV has had 100% success with every surgery. She said she has done many, but I didn't ask her a number figure. When I talked to her a few weeks ago, she had just done a surgery on a Lovie. She said a Macaw would be much easier due to their size. I should know more Tuesday.

Karen, if your AV has 100% success rate, sounds like she is a real expert. I would do it if I were you. If I were in the same situation, I would have my AV do it to one of my birds, because I know he is really good and I trust him.

This is why I say I failed my little girl Joey, when we knew Joey would prolapse with every egg, Joey should have had surgery while she was young and strong, she would still be here with me....
Karens little charge is not prolapsing, yes there is a health risk with excessive egg laying.
The luprun shots helped joey for many,many years, Joey always loved me and came to be with me, I remmeber when we had to take Joey away from all males...even me....when the injections began and stablized Joey, I was able to be with her again.
I could be wrong Karen, Surgery is very hard on any bird, I myself have had surgery 8 times, recovery is simple hell, but being able to use my legs is why I think positively about surgery.
Maybe it would be best to have the surgery, put an end to this issue once and for all, surgery and recovery will be hard to endure, but just think, after time passes and all the healing is done...no more worries.
We will all be here to Comfort & Support you Karen with any decission you make.
Arty