![]() |
||
![]() |
||
![]() |
Your Pet Information | Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com |
|
![]() |
The Birds and the Bees for Adults (Parrots, That Is!)
The days are getting longer, and if you have a sexually mature parrot, there may be some major sexual stuff going on - and you might not even know it! A lot of people believe sexual behavior in adult parrots means they now need to be put in a breeding situation - not true! While there are a FEW birds who truly are not happy as pets and desperately want a mate and babies, they are very much in the minority. For most birds, it's simply a few months of mother Nature's influence, which then passes, revealing your loving companion once again. While some birds do become aggressive at this time, the majority do not. In a true breeding situation, with a bonded pair and a nest box, you will of course, see aggressive, territorial behavior, but generally not so much in single birds in our homes. Some birdies exhibit "selective aggressiveness," depending on the situation and environment. Basically, sexual behavior starts when the number of hours of daylight begin to lengthen. It's helpful to follow the natural light cycle at this time, getting them up with the sun, and going to bed when it sets. Lots of birds become super cuddly when hormonal, wanting to snuggle more and literally lay in your lap. Touching gets "touchy", since a lot of your usual petting may now be sexually stimulating. Avoid stroking under the wings, under the tail, over the tail (or tugging on it), hands down their full body, or pressure on the back. All of this can be too stimulating, causing frustration. It's like lots of foreplay, with no culmination to follow! While sexual urges are natural, and fairly common in a lot of adult birds, it is not something to encourage. By the same token, don't discourage or reprimand - simply ignore it, and try to avoid instigating it! Often, we're not aware of our role in the whole process, and unlike "spring fever" in adolescent birds, mature sexuality is often much more subtle, so that we may not even be aware that our birds experiencing it. In many birds, they're either a bit more affectionate or a bit more grouchy, but not much else is obvious. Some birds exhibit no changes at all. If you do intend to get a mate and embark on the adventure of breeding parrots, please don't start too early! Many people mistake "spring fever" in immature birds as a sign of readiness for breeding, but like all kids, they're simply playacting. Breeding too young puts tremendous stress on Mom - instead of putting energy into her own body's development, it all goes into laying eggs and raising babies. You also tend to get weaker, smaller babies with less vitality. Another trigger during this phase is anything that looks inviting for nesting - boxes, drawers, cupboards, bags, etc. - cozy protected little nooks and crannies. Avoid having those things around, and definitely don't offer a nest box! Some people do, as a place for birdies to hide, sleep or hang out, but it will make things worse. With some kids, "Happy Huts" will do the same thing - you may want to remove it for awhile. Be careful! Watch your bird for over stimulation signals - eye pinning, tail fanning, feather puffing, blushing, posturing. You may need to change your approach in handling at this time. Use "step up/down" commands consistently, and avoid having your bird higher than your head and shoulders. You may want to use a hand held perch for bringing your bird out of his cage or off his playstand. Biting can definitely be a problem now. Make use of a "neutral room" when needed, to regain or maintain your position as flock leader. Other factors affecting sexual behavior include humidity and temperature, as well as lighting and hours of daylight. Normally, nature pushes birds to reproduce right around the time that plants are flourishing, producing lush foliage, seed, flowers, and fruit. This ensures adequate food being available to feed the new hungry mouths! You may get lucky, and have a parrot who slides right through "breeding season" without batting an eye. Not everyone acts out when the hormones surge! Just be prepared, keep alert, and use good judgment if problems arise. I don't advise doing major behavioral work in the spring if your bird does react negatively, although this is usually when I get a ton of calls begging for help!! Sadly, it also seems to be the time when many birds are put up for sale, as the owners are either unaware or unwilling to deal with this very natural, normal event. If you do run into problems now, though, it's still advisable to work on behavior after things return to normal. Improving your techniques and building a stronger bond, based on trust and guidance, may help you and your parrot deal better with potential problems next year! Hang in there meanwhile, and don't entice your birdie with provocative behavior. Instead, buy some new toys, feed him more fresh veggies and healthy stuff, and enjoy the promise of new life that accompanies the beautiful season of spring! ----------------------------------------- Free eBook!
MORE RESOURCES: |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Dog Aggression: How to Recognize & Respond Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog growl, bark, or take an aggressive stance. Unfortunately, many of these animals end up in shelters because the owners could no longer live with the dog. The Wonderful Siamese Cat This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam, now known as Thailand. Siamese cats were highly esteemed by generations of Siamese monarchs,even to the extent that they resided in the royal palace. Dont Let Ticks Ruin Your Dogs Good Time! Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I can't think of a single redeeming quality. Does Your Dog Bite? How to Protect Your Dog and Yourself from Liability MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs bite more than 4.7 million people every year in the United States. Lemon Tetra - A Perfect Addition for Your Community Aquarium Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to be just a sunbeam flashing through your community tank if not for background elements like plants and driftwood. Another member of the large characin clan, the lemon tetra has a fairly elongated body like its smaller relative the neon tetra and like neons and other characins, the lemon tetra does best if kept in small schools of six to eight fish. Saving Ginger From Being Put To Sleep - Part 1 A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily in a good house with extensive gardens; a great area for the animals to roam and play. By this stage, the kids have grown up, moved away and started their own lives. What to Do When Your Puppy Dog Is Chewing Everything In Sight A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream! Doremember that, like children who search their new worldwith their hands, so do puppies search with their mouths.While there is a difference between exploratory chewing andproblem chewing, the problem chewing is sometimes relatedto their need for attention, food or tension release. Cats And Litter Box Problems If your cat has recently decided not to use the litter box, this can create a lot of stress for both of you. This frequently happens, and often there is a simple fix for the problem. Westies Puppies - How to Prepare for Your Westie Puppy Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to prepare before you bring home your westie puppy. The needs of westies puppies are not tremendous, but there are a few things that you must have in place to give your westie a safe, happy transition into your life. Herbs for Pets Let me begin by saying that I am not an herbalist. I do not recommend using herbs as internal medication for your pets unless you have consulted a holistic vet and/or have done extensive reading and research and feel safe treating your pet. How to Raise a Healthy Kitten Selecting a Kitten It is best to choose your kitten from the whole litter, choose the frisky playful, friendly kitten that is confident and happy to approach you rather than the one that hangs back and is shy. The best time to take your kitten home is between 7 and 8 weeks old. Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was about two AM, when beneath our bed the new puppy we'd brought home from the pound just a month earlier began screaming. Easy Tips for Healthy Pets Do you want a long and healthy life for your pets?There are things in our pets' environments thatcan rob them of precious health and long life. I'm not talking about cars accidents and mean kidsin the neighborhood. Why the Heck Would You Have a Pet Snake (or lizard, crocodile, monitor, frog, turtle etc)? This is a question that has been asked of me and a thousand (million?) other herp keepers. I think it's almost a case of once bitten, twice as determined. Are You Listening To Your Cat Talking? Is your cat talking to you?Many cat lovers claim that their feline pets talk to them. They believe their cats can communicate vocally with them and tell them what they want, how they are feeling, and ask how their day has been! So, can domestic cats talk? Can the meows and trills that emanate from your kitty really be described as your cat talking to you?Yes it can!, and no it can't. Starting a Home-Based Pet Related Business If you're contemplating the idea of starting a home-based business here are some facts you should know:·According to the Small Business Administration, home-based businesses account for over half of all the businesses in the United States.·Each year thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs launch a part-time home business to supplement their existing income or to test a new business idea. The Dreaded Vet Visit: 5 Ways to Comfort Your Dog Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and Barkley will be whimpering all the way. Alarm Clock Kitty, How to Stop Early Morning Meowing Meow! Meow! Meow! I bury my head underneath my pillow. Meow! Meow! Meoooooow! The high pitched meowing persists and penetrates through my feather stuffed shield. A Guide to Bird Cages for Sale As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be, picking a bird cage can be even more so. There are so many options available. How to Crate Train Your Puppy One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy owner faces is housebreaking or as it is sometimes also referred to; potty training or doing business. Although there is no tactic that comes with a 100% guarantee, one of the most successful methods is crate training. ![]() |
Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us © www.Jumbuck.biz - 2012 |