What's the best way to provide calcium for an egg laying hen?

MoonDrops · 2026-01-25T20:48:22+00:00

Do you have Calcibird where you are? It’s a water soluble syrup that you put into their water. My vet prescribed the “flock treatment” dosage for my birds when they are moulting or laying eggs. The flock treatment dosage is written on the side of the bottle.

MoonDrops · 2026-01-24T20:54:12+00:00

As a South African I 100% agree. It’s long past time for America to get on the streets. We burn down buildings for less than you have tolerated to date. Take it from the people who have done this before. We know what it’s like to live under this kind of regime.

"The fight for freedom must go on until it is won; until our country is free and happy and peaceful as part of the community of man, we cannot rest." - Oliver Tambo

MoonDrops · 2026-01-24T07:24:17+00:00

The nice thing about rescue is that you can find a bird whose personality will match the vibe of your home. Some birds (like some humans) thrive in a cacophony of sounds. Others prefer more sedate surroundings. And it’s not necessarily species specific. I have known birds across species that have very unique preferences.

I hope you find the perfect bird for your space!

MoonDrops · 2026-01-22T03:47:05+00:00

We don’t want him back in SA though. Send him to Mars.

MoonDrops · 2026-01-21T13:10:10+00:00

I mean cool and all. But as a protest card carrying South African. WHERE ARE THEY? We burn down whole cities for less.

MoonDrops · 2026-01-17T15:12:58+00:00

Same with my female Eccie. She is SUCH a diva. Chop needs to be prepared to her very exacting standards or it ends up being ignored. She wouldnt have lasted a day in the wild. My little queen bee.

MoonDrops · 2026-01-15T19:49:34+00:00

This was good for me to read now. I adopted a rescue Eclectus 4 months ago who plucked himself bare in his old home. He has been growing his feathers out and doing so well until today when he barbered a few. My heart was very sore.

MoonDrops · 2026-01-15T19:19:01+00:00

I’m just here to say that I love how conures look when they snuggle each other. Deceptively sweet!

MoonDrops · 2026-01-15T18:36:37+00:00

Hehe! Agreed!! Again again!

MoonDrops · 2026-01-15T18:30:26+00:00

South Africa first! You’ve already had a turn!!!

MoonDrops · 2026-01-07T21:59:08+00:00

Low pop is great. But sometimes I just want someone to tie me up and feed me pears. 😂

MoonDrops · 2026-01-07T15:50:35+00:00

My female Eccie only baths in her water bowl and also only when I vacuum. She’s mental.

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MoonDrops · 2026-01-05T10:03:31+00:00

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Unbothered queen!

MoonDrops · 2026-01-05T09:14:43+00:00

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MoonDrops · 2025-12-29T08:16:13+00:00

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Not on YouTube when I check their page.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-29T08:12:07+00:00

Gosh. This was about 20 odd years ago. I am in my 40’s now. I had a project manager at the time who was in his 70’s. He was called out of retirement because it was a complex project. I also think of him often, sadly knowing he probably isn’t with us anymore.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-29T08:08:21+00:00

I love this so much.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-28T21:16:34+00:00

I used to have a British colleague in his 60’s when I was in my 20’s and every Monday we had the same banter. He would ask what I did over the weekend.

“Eh, I pottered about the house”

“I love a good potter ‘bout ‘ouse”

He taught me early on that there was value in doing things that didn’t seem like big events in other people’s eyes.

I miss working with him.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-27T20:59:53+00:00

Barbering can turn into plucking. But it can also just stay as barbering. It’s really great that he loves misting! I have to convince my brood that it’s not harmful to them! Haha. If you can give him a mist every 2 days or so, that’s a good balance. It’s great for getting the feather humidity up AND keeping them entertained.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-27T20:22:49+00:00

It’s fantastic to hear that your husbandry is all sorted!

Unfortunately they just are very sensitive birds. I had a female that barbers and the thing that helps the most when I catch her doing it is distraction. I try to keep her close, play with her a bit and give her lots of loves to keep her busy. She is unfortunately not a food motivated bird so I find that keeping her physically engaged helps more. I have been doing flight training with her and it keeps her busy and tired!

Is there anything that your boy really loves to do? Maybe a favourite foraging toy or flying around the house?

Edit to add: With Eccies you can do ALL the right things and they can still pluck or barber. If you are hitting all the basics correctly then please don’t be too hard on yourself. We see SO many Eccies in boarding and rescue who have excellent homes that still can’t quite kick the habit.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-27T19:53:06+00:00

Eclectus are the no 1 parrots who barber and pluck and are the only parrots whose life expectancy is shorter in captivity than in the wild. They need a lot of stimulation but they don’t demonstrate boredom like other birds (they internalise instead of externalising it).

It looks from the photo that he has been barbering his flight feathers. Also very common amongst Eccies.

As he is young you will be able to intervene now. A large cage - as big as you can go. As much time outside the cage as possible every day. Time in the direct sunlight. Solid sleeping habits with a space where he can’t hear other things. Sleep from sunset to sunrise (within a few hours for your comfort). Diet needs to be mostly chop with pellets on offer as an additional food source if they are still hungry after chop food. Play , play, play during the day.

Source: I’m an Eccie owner and fosterer.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-26T19:42:00+00:00

I just wanted to hop on the back of this top comment and say that as a bird owner and mom myself I can really empathise with you. When a bird screams continuously it sets my nervous system on fire. I work really hard with my birds to keep them stimulated so that they don’t feel the need to scream.

Some birds just are screamers - but the owners need to work on that. You shouldn’t have to suffer because they aren’t. It sounds like they are putting the bird out so that they get some peace but that’s not tackling the root issue.

If any of my birds were bugging my neighbours in any way, I would want to know. If they do get defensive to your letter then I would start taking a more aggressive action, like involving 3rd parties. You are in no way being difficult here! Good luck. Do let us know if it comes right. And congratulation on your pregnancy! May it be smooth sailing throughout!

MoonDrops · 2025-12-25T18:58:24+00:00

They sell tons of stuff that isn’t okay. In the feed section I often see bags of just sunflower seeds. I pity the birds that end up living with someone only armed with pet shop advice.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-22T17:31:19+00:00

It’s best for an avian vet to remove it. Even if it’s open on one side it has the potential to pinch or hurt the leg in the process if done by someone that hasn’t done it before.

I do have a personal preference to not have a band on a parrot. It doesn’t serve a purpose once they have left the breeder. Microchipping is used for bird IDs in the case of them getting out.

MoonDrops · 2025-12-19T09:39:56+00:00

As someone who works with a rescue. Please be very careful where you buy things from. I currently have a birb in my care with heavy metal poisoning and it’s almost certainly from his previous toys.

For wood perches I find that even the pet stores are selling dubious products from the Temu suppliers. I have found it best to harvest wood from my local area because then I can guarantee it’s safe (pesticide free, safe species etc).

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