Q: My bird laid an egg but is alone in the cage. How can this be?

A: A mate does not need to be present for a pet bird or reptile to ovulate and produce an egg. Many factors play a roll in ovulation including environment, season, day length and individual differences but a female bird can produce an infertile egg. The egg can be removed from the cage. If the bird continues to lay eggs, call to discuss the situation with a veterinarian. Any difficulties in passing the egg should be treated as a medical emergency.