Bonded Amazons

[Aquila]

So as I've posted in the Amazon section, I have a pair of bonded amazons that were a breeder pair. I've got them set up on a better diet, foraging toys, and on a good sleep schedule.

They're 18 or so years old, and have been together at least 10+ of those years. I've noticed that they will bicker fairly often. It's mostly the male, but it does go both ways. The male will give a fake "strike" at her, but neither will ever bite each other, is this anything to be concerned about?

Another question I had was what kind of breeder pellets, if any, are recommended? I found these that are at a decent price, but what range of protein/fat am I aiming for, since I was given advice to "fatten" them up a little bit before breeding.
Parrot Food | Parrot Diet | MAZURI® Parrot Breeder # 56A9

I'm also going to be ordering "breeder blocks" of wood so they can shred for nesting, but I did purchase aspen shavings if I need it.

I'm not intending on breeding them for a bit yet, but I want to be prepared if they decide before I do!

I am working on trying to get them a little more tame, not particularly friendly, but stick trained at the very least to be able to remove them from the cage or put them back in, it's been a challenge but the male is a little bit easier to work with, he will take treats from me and doesn't "growl" at me as much as he did.

Any other care advice is definitely appreciated!

 

[henpecked]

I'd look for about 6-7 percent crude fat and not too sweet of a pellet for breeder zon.

 

[JerseyWendy]

The Mazuri pellets you linked to are the same pellets my Sam's breeder uses for all her Amazon pairs.

Breeding season for zons around our neck of the woods 'can' start as early as March/April. If you think they're ready by then, I'd place a nest box on their cage a few months beforehand, so they have ample time to check it out.

 

[Kiwibird]

On the topic of them bickering, my moms bonded (though never mated) zons bicker quite a bit, just like an old married couple! It's usually the female of hers that is more aggressive, but even though they lunge and occasionally even chase each other, neither have ever bit or hurt one another. That's after about 40 years together.

Good luck with them! Baby-amazons (is there anything cuter???)

 

[Birdman666]

I agree. It's normal.

That's just one zon telling another one, give me a little more space right now. Doesn't mean anything if they're not actually going after one another with intent to maim.

It's the same way they tell us, not now, when they're not in the mood for a head scratch at this moment.

 

[Aquila]

Good to know! It can be funny to watch sometimes, the male will stick his foot out and hold her back sometimes, or push her away from a bowl or a toy. He's definitely better with me than the female, but we're working on it.

I really love how they talk to each other too, wish I could understand what they're saying!

 

[MangoandKiwi]

I have a breeder pair of green cheeks that I'm trying to tame and they bicker too. Kiwi even yanks Mango's tailfeathers sometimes and she has called dips on all incoming food. If Mango is too friendly with me she comes over and gives him the little foot and pushes him away. I have them a little over a month now and it has been a real challenge but rewarding also. I'm happy I can read your posts and your adventures with the bigger breeding beaks

Are you working on step up already? Mango steps up on the arm and hops over to the shoulder with ease but hates the stick! He will go over to my hands and peck them or refuses the stick all together. Kiwi does not want to step up at all and is very fearful and nippy so we really have no idea how we should go about getting her to step up.

 

[Aquila]

So far the Amazons are a little too hormonal to deal with, so I'm going pretty slow.

My green cheek pair is a little skittish but the male will come over to the side of the cage and nip a little at my finger but not bite down, now that they're settled I'll start on hand taming them. I let them come to me, and never force it. If hands work for you and they're less scared, go that route, build the trust and then expand on it.