My pigeon started laying eggs these last 6 months or so. It always lays 1 and then another 1, which is normal I guess. I let it sit on the eggs for a week or so, then throw them away. Then in a couple weeks, it has some more. HOWEVER, this time it has had an extremely difficult time laying the eggs. Both of them finally came out, but 3 days later my poor pigeon is still stuck in a squat position with her legs splayed out in front of her. She cannot stand. It is as if having the eggs broke her legs or hips, such that she cannot put her legs under her. I took out her nesting bowl so she is on the flat surface. She does have an appetite and drinks water if I give it to her directly. (She cannot move around.) She is alert although kinda panting sometimes. Any idea what has happened or how I can help her? Thank you for ANY advice.

Hello Williasb and welcome to the forum. Sorry your hen is in such trouble. If you have been taking her eggs away from her without replacing them with fake eggs for the last six months she must have laid an enormous amount of eggs which must have weakened her. If her present condition had not developped immediately after laying her last two eggs I'd have wondered if she was egg bound. It sounds as if she needs urgent veterinary attention. I am not a rehaber myself but other members will come forward to give you their experienced advice. Best wishes for a prompt recovery.
Gladys

Hello Williash,

Gladys is correct. Your pigeon requires urgent veterinary attention as this condition is life-threatening. Pigeons sit on their eggs for about 18 days and you should never take their eggs away from them without replacing them with fake eggs. Your pigeon is very weak from hypocalcaemia as a result of laying so many eggs in such a short amount of time. Weakness of the legs occurs as a result of this and she may well have serious oviduct problems as a result of straining having been egg bound and a continuous cycle of overproduction. Please get your bird to a vet ASAP to have her treated. This condition will kill a hen if it is not treated early.

Please update us on your hen's condition.

Sounds like she may be egg bound. That's the same thing that happened to one of the first pigeons I found when I began rescue few years ago.

The bottom line is she needs veterinary attention for sure.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I took my birdie to a vet today. He took an x-ray to confirm that there are no bound eggs. That is good news except that he does not exactly know what is wrong with her. He thinks that most likely she has pneumonia, due to a decreased immune system while having the eggs. His other theory was that she could have been carrying a virus that has basically been laying dormant (I've had her for 5 years with no problems), and symptoms are now just occuring because of her weakened state. He noticed some places on the x-ray that looked like air pockets in her body (strange?). He gave her an injection of fluids and Bytril (antibiotic). Also sent me home with baytril oral injections, calciontate oral syrup, and ketoconazole (I think that is an electrolyte, as it is a crushed tablet I mix with water). I am concerned that she has been laying like this for few days now that there is too much pressure on her breast bone. I have her on towels with the sides bunched up to help keep her warm and support her sides a bit. I guess now I just wait...

She may have a case of post egg laying paralysis (or partial paralysis)

"Calcium deficiency is main reason of paresis in hens. Calcium required for egg formation is derived from the blood stream and skeletal system. It needs to be replaced by diet, but sometime due the lack of sunlight and vitamins D and E, calcium is not absorbed. This results leg paresis. Condition can be corrected by administration of vitamins and easy digestible Calcium (cal-C-vita). Magnesium supplements are reported to be effective too." By plamenh

http://pigeonchat.forumakers.com/sick-or-injured-pigeons-f22/is-arthritis-common-after-an-injury-and-what-can-be-done-for-it-t1776.htm#23498

"Fertibol from Comed is a combination vitamin-mineral supplement that promotes fertility and hatchability, and I recommend using it during weaning to promote strong bone development. Calcium supplements like Calcium Vitamin D3 Syrup, BioCal and Calcivite Plus (all from the Australian Pigeon Company) are great for laying hens, especially older hens that have had a problem laying. These mineral supplements will quickly eliminate the leg paralysis so often found in hens with severe calcium deficiency."

http://pigeonracingpigeons.com/2010/01/01/january-in-the-loft/

Ed,speaking of calcium difeciency,I had a hen lay her 2nd egg yesterday. I am going to take her eggs and put them under another pair who also layed their 2nd egg. I will toss the 2nd pairs eggs. I want the first pair to lay again. Should I put her on dummy eggs for a few days so that she will have enough calcium and fertile eggs? Or is it ok to just let her lay again in 10 days or so?