I took Georgie to the vet today because she has been limping for some days after laying another pair of eggs (we use the lovely vets at Trinity Vet Centre). This has happened before – and the limp usually goes away after a day or so – so I initially wasn’t too worried, however, this time the limp has persisted so a vet trip was in order.
It seems that Georgie has been sitting on eggs for such a long time now, and I really miss her company. When incubating, she stays in her nest and doesn’t like to be bothered – and since Georgie has laid 3 pairs of eggs in the past two months, I haven’t seen much of her.
Georgie in her nest
I have been giving Georgie extra calcium supplements to help her with the strain of egg production, but I think that it took its toll – hence the limping. The last egg must have hit a nerve, causing the weakness in her leg.
The vet checked Georgie over and was happy with her body condition. He wasn’t worried that there was permanent damage to Georgie’s leg and he prescribed pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce any swelling and deal with any pain she may have in her leg. I’m sure it’ll work quickly and Georgie will be able to use her right leg again soon.
I now need to convince Georgie to stop laying eggs. The vet suggested a few tactics which I knew about but really need to research more and choose the right method for her: e.g. reduce daylight hours, disrupting her environment so she doesn’t feel stable enough to lay eggs, or hormone injections.
Here’s some more information about it: Discouraging breeding behavior in pet birds and Reducing egg production in racing pigeons.
Georgie in better health:
Feel better Georgie! Our flock here in the U.S. sends lots of love!
poor little thing… she needs a pigeon mate now.. to talk to her in pigeon language.. why Button did not like her? he was such a handsome boy..she must be feeling sad while sitting on eggs for hours.. usually both mummy-papa pigeons do the job alternatively (to my knowledge)..love to Georgie..
Thank you, Erin and the US flock!!
Thank you, Vaishali. I agree, it must be hard for Georgie to sit on the eggs the whole time when she should have a mate to share the job. One day we’ll find her a mate. It’s just that other pigeons don’t like Georgie’s disabled eyes. They think it looks odd and pick on her.
So it will be a while before we find the right pigeon for her.
Awwww poor girl.
Poor Goergie hope she gets better soon – My little Priscilla is also in egg mode – miss her too
Hi Gill, thanks for your comment. Georgie is getting a bit better – she’s using her leg a bit more but still limping. I’m sure in a few more days on medication she’ll be fine. … Yes, when pigeons are in egg mode it is very tough on us humans. I love having Georgie napping on my lap while I’m reading or knitting but obviously not when she’s incubating.
Georgie Pigeon looks so sweet in her nice nest but I do hope that she can become less obsessive about her eggs.
Disrupting her environment doesn’t sound like a very nice thing to do or have done so I hope one of the other things does work out for her.
Best wishes for a solution and for Georgie Pigeon’s recovery.
Hi Ana, yes, I don’t like the idea of disrupting Georgie’s environment at all. I love her and want her to be comfortable in her environment, so we will try other things. At the moment she’s still limping but I’m hoping the medication will do the trick. If not, she’ll have to go back to the vet, however, she really hates being in the car and will throw up the whole way.
Thank you for your comment! 
I also heard that you should lay off fabaceae. Also don’t pet her lower back and don’t let her nest. Her bed looks too cosy:)))
Poor Georgie!
I remember when my Monty started limping we found a huge bruise under his feathers. Then bruises started appearing all over his body for no reason. I thought this was the end (my friend’s pigeon died because of hematoma and hemorrhage), but the treatment saved him. Sorry for offtopic.
Georgie get well, we need more of you on youtube!!!
Hi Anchie, thanks for your message. Glad to hear your Monty was saved!! It is very scary when things go wrong.
I’ve taken Georgie’s nest away (it IS so cosy!) and I don’t pet her anyway, but she still begs for attention and head scratches. I don’t want her to lay more eggs anytime soon, but I cannot ignore her and keep her in isolation or anything like that. That would be cruel too. So I have to try to balance giving her attention and not trying to stimulate her. Very hard!! Georgie is attracted to my voice and if I’m talking she may sometimes present herself to me to be mated. What a silly girl!!
Thank you for your well-wishes!
In the last picture She’s like falcon
Eddie, you’re right! She’s got her chest puffed out ready for attack, I think!