Manipulating the amount of light the bird gets can be successful. We recommend the hen be removed from its cage and sight and sound of its mate, then covered except for four hours of light for four days. If this is not successful hormonal injections can be used but there is a risk of significant side effects including depression, increased urine production, weight gain, liver damage, suppression of the immune system and diabetes. It is more common than non-septic peritonitis. Causes congestion, scarring and adhesions of all abdominal organs.
Treatment initially involves supportive care to stabilise the bird.
Heat, fluids and antibiotics should be given as well as the provision of high protein foods. Surgery is helpful in valuable birds to remove pus and infected yolk material. In pet birds we generally perform a hysterectomy at the same time which prevents the disease recurring. Any episode of this puts the birds breeding future in doubt as there is always scarring and adhesions and there can be severe uterine damage. Especially common in hand raised hens which have imprinted onto humans.