Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!pacbell.com!ucsd!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!intercon!news
From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR: egg-laying unpaired cockatoo
Message-ID: <27A096FC.1A77@intercon.com>
Date: 25 Jan 91 20:37:16 GMT
References: <1991Jan23.203420.2785@cbnewsj.att.com>
Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent)
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA
Lines: 39

In article <1991Jan23.203420.2785@cbnewsj.att.com>, duane@cbnewsj.att.com
(duane.galensky) writes:
> 	- is there anything i should be replenish in the bird's
> 	  diet after such an event?  calcium? sulphur?

Calcium, vitamins, and minerals.  I use Nekton S and Vionate.  

> 	- is there any way to preserve the egg indefinitely?
> 	  (admittedly, a cockatoo egg is an odd thing to
> 	  show friends, but i'm into it)

I just kept my macaw eggs in the fridge.  It was quite amusing.
 
> 	- should i be preventing this from happening in the
> 	  future?  if so, how can this be discouraged?

There's really only one way to fully discourage this.  Ask you vet (hopefully
a good AVIAN vet...) to look into hormonal supplements that will stop the
bird from laying eggs.  Otherwise, find her a mate.
 
> umbrellas usually lay eggs in clutches of two, i understand.
> only one egg has been produced this time...is this a cause for
> concern?

No.  First clutches often have fewer eggs.  BUT, watch her.  If she hangs
out on the bottom of the cage, or is fluffed for a long time, and/or there
is a swelling near her vent that doesn't pass within 24 hours, you must take
IMMEDIATE action.  1) increase heat and humidity to the bird.  2) grease
the vent with KY or vaseline (or some other water soluble lubricant.  3)
take the bird immediately to the vet.  Egg binding could be fatal!
 
> after three years of saying "pretty boy," it's gonna take some
> time to adjust!   sammy is a samantha!

Happens all the time!

Mikki Barry
Natural Intelligence Aviaries
Home of the Electric Cockatoo--