Cockatiel obsessed with self love - can I retrain him?

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

Giles, my other lovely 'tiel, has his own issues. Since I got him he's always been into self love (rubbing on toys, perches, anything) or humping his mate. The last two years or so there have been a LOT of changes in my family, for the good and bad, and I wasn't able to love him as much as I used to. He still got PLENTY of attention, he just wasn't the CENTER of attention. He's a very jealous thing, and feels ignored easily. As a result, he's learned bad habits. When he feels ignored he goes to self love to get attention. When he DOES get attention he goes to self love to 'show me' or something like that. He does it upwards of 20 times a DAY. He does it when he's happy, tired, sad, angry, everything! It's an attention getting action now. He ESPECIALLY does it when I've been gone for a few hours and he hasn't been able to get out of his cage. Or if I haven't been in the same room adoring him. (When I'm home they're free range, I leave their door open. When I'm gone they get tucked away as I have cats, and his mate tends to go splat on the floor)
We've tried to ignore it, or shoo him off, but it's not working. I've tried giving him his favorite toys, moving his cage, rearranging it. When I move his cage somewhere new he goes STRAIGHT to his favorite spot.
I've tried removing the toys he plays with. But now he uses his cage. I put a bit of tape there, sticky side up, in hopes that he'd go elsewhere. No go! He rubs on the tape. (I removed it) Unless I stick him in a bird diaper I'm not sure what to do. I'm afraid he's going to get a little infection. And cleaning up is nasty.
Is there something I can put that won't harm him to get him to stop? (With my female cat, after she got fixed we put hot sauce on her nipples to stop my adult male cat from nursing) or a way to train him? It's getting really old watching him rub all day.
He also has a vet visit next week, so if he needs meds or something I can ask. And she'll check for a birdie infection.

 

[Birdman666]

The hormones are kicking in. They will usually mellow out with time. I've never really successful broken a bird of masterbation.

It's worse when it's something the size of a greenwing...

 

[plumsmum2005]

Looks like there is nothing for it except a hump bunny then?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Oh boy...is THIS what I have to look forward to,with BB???? And at what age was your 'tiel when his pervy behavior started? BB will be one year old sometime next month :52:


Jim

 

[Tropical]

Oh boy...is THIS what I have to look forward to,with BB???? And at what age was your 'tiel when his pervy behavior started? BB will be one year old sometime next month :52:


Jim

Don't worry not all tiels are like this... Rascal is almost 5 yrs old and has never tried to get "frisky" with any objects asides form my hand LOL it's not often at all though... but' Nut on the other hand... unmmm... well he's a very frisky boy! He will try to mate with my hand all the time (I tell him "Thanks but no thanks!!" then I put him down LOL).... but it's nowhere near as bad as ShadowOfTheStorm's tiel he's mentioning in this thread thank goodness. Man! I can only imagine... yikes!

It would be an acwkard moment having a tiel doing that in front of my aunt/grandmother or something... I would surely be asked what on earth my bird is doing! LOL

 

[Anansi]

If it truly is an attention getting maneuver, your best bet is simply to turn away anytime he starts up. If done consistently enough, it will eventually become clear to him that engaging in acts of self love is actually having an effect opposite his intentions. But if this doesn't deter him in the slightest, it may just indicate that he has an extremely active sex drive.

Now, if you have anything even remotely nesty around him, be it nest box or lots of shreddable material, you may want to remove it from his area. Also, you want to stop any kind of touching that he may be misinterpreting as sexual interest on your part. This would include stroking his back or beneath his wings, as well as running your hand down the length of his tail.

Also, since longer daylight hours and diets richer in sugar and fats can act as hormonal triggers, you could try putting him to bed a little earlier and cutting down on the more sugary and fatty parts of his diet.

Aside from these measures, however, I wouldn't take any steps to actively stop him. After all, he isn't doing anything "bad". He just has needs, and that is completely natural. As long as you are keeping the interior of his cage reasonably clean, infection really shouldn't be an issue.

The cockatiel I had also had a rather healthy libido, and he had a favorite branch that was the focus of his rather lascivious attentions. While he may not have been quite as... eager as your guy, he was certainly active in his bouts of self gratification. Me? I took quite a different approach than you did. I made sure never to move that branch. Why? Because it was something he really wanted and it didn't hurt any to let him have his fun. Better the branch than for him to focus on me instead! Or to lash out in a fit of sexual frustration.

It's good that you're taking him in to the vet, just in case his excessive practices are indicative of an underlying issue. But outside of that, I don't see the harm. If he's attempting anything with your hand or shoulder, just set him down and walk away for a few minutes to give him a chance to cool down... and remind him that your hand is not an acceptable venue for such pursuits.

Bottom line is that it doesn't sound like he's really hurting anybody with his little maneuvers. So I say live and let love. Lol!

And let me just say that sticky tape was definitely a bad move. He could easily have ingested pieces of the tape, which might have caused far more serious health issues than an overactive sex-drive.

And hot sauce on your cat's nipples?!? Not a big fan of that tactic, either.

 

[Allee]

If it truly is an attention getting maneuver, your best bet is simply to turn away anytime he starts up. If done consistently enough, it will eventually become clear to him that engaging in acts of self love is actually having an effect opposite his intentions. But if this doesn't deter him in the slightest, it may just indicate that he has an extremely active sex drive.

Now, if you have anything even remotely nesty around him, be it nest box or lots of shreddable material, you may want to remove it from his area. Also, you want to stop any kind of touching that he may be misinterpreting as sexual interest on your part. This would include stroking his back or beneath his wings, as well as running your hand down the length of his tail.

Also, since longer daylight hours and diets richer in sugar and fats can act as hormonal triggers, you could try putting him to bed a little earlier and cutting down on the more sugary and fatty parts of his diet.

Aside from these measures, however, I wouldn't take any steps to actively stop him. After all, he isn't doing anything "bad". He just has needs, and that is completely natural. As long as you are keeping the interior of his cage reasonably clean, infection really shouldn't be an issue.

The cockatiel I had also had a rather healthy libido, and he had a favorite branch that was the focus of his rather lascivious attentions. While he may not have been quite as... eager as your guy, he was certainly active in his bouts of self gratification. Me? I took quite a different approach than you did. I made sure never to move that branch. Why? Because it was something he really wanted and it didn't hurt any to let him have his fun. Better the branch than for him to focus on me instead! Or to lash out in a fit of sexual frustration.

It's good that you're taking him in to the vet, just in case his excessive practices are indicative of an underlying issue. But outside of that, I don't see the harm. If he's attempting anything with your hand or shoulder, just set him down and walk away for a few minutes to give him a chance to cool down... and remind him that your hand is not an acceptable venue for such pursuits.

Bottom line is that it doesn't sound like he's really hurting anybody with his little maneuvers. So I say live and let love. Lol!

And let me just say that sticky tape was definitely a bad move. He could easily have ingested pieces of the tape, which might have caused far more serious health issues than an overactive sex-drive.

And hot sauce on your cat's nipples?!? Not a big fan of that tactic, either.

Well said, Doc!

 

[Birdman666]

See that's another thing I'm not sure I agree with.

It's one that everyone jumps on, and it's been the approach for ages, but I'm just not sure it works.

If they're hormonal, they're hormonal. That's triggered by daylight hours and seasons, NOT by access to nesting material. So, I'm not really sure that this advice was ever valid, even though it's the advice given in all these guidebooks.

You certainly DON'T want to be petting them in their happy places when they are hormonal. That makes matters worse. Letting them be and not handling them as much when they are really horny seems to help. (Mine get extra tree time as well. Go outside. Be a bird. Work off some frustratration.)

Giving my big macs phone books to shred actually takes their mind OFF masterbation for awhile when they are going to town. I personally think it HELPS rather than HINDERS the behavior problem.

Nest building is an instinctive behavior with a bird. Is it really possible to train all their instincts out of them? Isn't it better to give them an outlet for that.

ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE A SEX DRIVE...

Does taking the lock off the door prevent a human teenager from going in there? Or does it just mean you're more likely to walk in on them when they are... ahem... relieving their sexual frustration by taking matters into their own hands.

In the wild, they would just go find a female and mate. In captivity they can't. But the sex drive still exists. ALL captive birds masterbate some. And when they are really hormonal it can happen with annoying frequency.

Not sure you can really stop it.

Does that make sense?!

 

[Birdman666]

The best advice I've found for really hormonal birds is to regulate the amount of light they are exposed to and fool them into thinking it isn't breeding season...

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

I have to point out - the vet was the one who suggested hot sauce. My kitty had her stitches broken twice due to my cat nursing. No harm done, just a bad taste. I checked to make sure it wasn't harmful for them! I admit the tape wasn't a great idea, I realized that quickly.

So mostly just let him sleep more? I put him to bed at 9pm and he wakes up about 9:30 am. (We cover him with a thin blanket or else he's up at six singing) he's never liked being touched at all, so no issues there! It's mostly a pain because he's at the center of the home - the crossroads between the bedroom hallway, the kitchen and the living room. Whenever company comes over they're treated to his attitude. If I ignore him he pounds on his mate.
I can try switching up his diet. I admit I have not been great with that! (He will NOT eat anything but seeds, and that took some training to do. He has a soft spot for chips though. No idea who fed them to him, but even after the eight years we've refused them to him he still goes nuts when he sees them) is there any one food that's best for him? I don't know how well he'd take to pellets. I'd have to figure out a way to convince him to eat them.
I don't have any nesting boxes around. He does have a box obsession, though. Whenever he sees one he goes nuts. If he gets into a small tube shaped one he goes 'manly' he'll stare at the wall for hours, then attack anyone who gets near him. Needless to say, we try to keep boxes out of sight.
I hadn't thought of chew toys! He LOVES to rip things apart. Especially cardboard. Mayb I'll try more of that!
On would assume a 15 year old bird would have settled down his sex drive. His is getting worse. He has no interest in a nest, just getting lucky.
If it is an attitude issue and not a high sex drive, does ignoring them really work? And how long does it take to train it out of them? As I said, he's always done it, but 20 times a day is unusual for him. When he was younger he did it maybe twice a week.

 

[Birdman666]

Sounds like the hormones are just really bad this time around.

This is one of those things that happens from time to time.

Usually it goes away fairly quickly on it's own. If you take the favorite toy away, they just find something else...

I'm pretty "look the other way" on this issue. Better your rope toy than the side of my neck or something like that...

But yeah, really bad hormonal periods are generally driven by seasonal changes in sunlight.

And if covering him doesn't do it, at least he'll have some privacy...

 

[Anansi]

...Giving my big macs phone books to shred actually takes their mind OFF masterbation for awhile when they are going to town. I personally think it HELPS rather than HINDERS the behavior problem.

Nest building is an instinctive behavior with a bird. Is it really possible to train all their instincts out of them? Isn't it better to give them an outlet for that.

Not suggesting that nesting instincts can be trained out of them. Buuuuuut in some birds access to either nesting material or a nesting space does indeed serve as a trigger. Think on it. How does it differ from sunlight or food availability? It all comes down to environment. Light relates to seasons. The warmer seasons bring about greater food availability and longer daylight periods. The availability of a nesting hollow and its preparation for nesting is usually the the final hurdle before kicking off mating and egg laying.

Granted, all birds are different. Some can engage in nesting behaviors such as shredding or even hanging out in a nesty looking spot without issue, but for others it serves as yet another sign that it's time to get down. (Just try asking most people with a female ekkie...)

ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE A SEX DRIVE...

Does taking the lock off the door prevent a human teenager from going in there? Or does it just mean you're more likely to walk in on them when they are... ahem... relieving their sexual frustration by taking matters into their own hands.

In the wild, they would just go find a female and mate. In captivity they can't. But the sex drive still exists. ALL captive birds masterbate some. And when they are really hormonal it can happen with annoying frequency.

Not sure you can really stop it.

Does that make sense?!

Yesssssssssssssss! I agree completely!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Do you feed any fresh foods, veggies/fruits?

My other suggestion in terms of a distraction is a food Kabob with carrot on for example even if they don't eat it, it may use some time up to destroy it?

 

[Birdman666]

Well, the experts think there's a link. And that IS the standard rule. And that is the argument that supports it.

I've just always questioned/wondered if it's a valid observation.

Maggie made a nest out of shredded towels in my closet. Sweepea, Tusk, and Lila have all made nests on their playtops with the phone book. Lila and Tusk have also made one under the cage. Sallybird's playstand IS her nest... AND SHE WILL DEFEND IT IF ANOTHER AMAZON EVEN LOOKS AT IT CROSS-EYED... [Trust me, THEY DON'T!!! Off limits. Claimed. Not mine!] The birds themselves have solved the "bad behavior" associated with the problem.

I have never really seen a causal relationship between nest building materials and the bad hormonal behaviors. Other than nest building is a sign that they have become hormonal.

To me, the downside is that if you don't give them appropriate nest building material, they may try to make a nest somewhere inappropriate, OUT OF something inappropriate. (Like your furniture.)

A bird building a nest is NOT masterbating. It is occupying it's time in a manner appropriate for a bird, in the same way as a bird who is foraging for food. Foraging behaviors have been proven to be THE OPPOSITE of bad behaviors. (Remember there was a time when "the experts" said it was dangerous for them to root around for food, lest they eat something contaminated, or inappropriate.)

For years, and years, and years, I gave "shredder boxes" to pluckers to distract them from shredding themselves, and it helped. (and this was instinctive, natural nest building behavior.) SO THIS is why I disagree with the advice. A sexually frustrated bird, who also is denied nest building material MAY try to build a nest out of its own feathers... in extreme cases. To me it's a natural, instinctive behavior.

TO ME - the problem behaviors that come WITH nest building is when they become aggressive around the nest, and attempt to defend it. THAT is when they lose the nest privilege at my house... AND THAT IS VERY, VERY REAL ESPECIALLY WITH AMAZONS AND MACAWS. Zons in particular (female eckies as well) will go into defend the nest mode... and can become quite aggressive. HOT 3's bad reputations really stem from this kind of territorial hormonally driven aggression.

AGAIN, IN MY OPINION.... I'm not an "expert." (Truth be told, I'm an opinionated a$$hole.)

Of course, I've met many of the people who are "experts" and a fair percentage of them are no more qualified than I am... so...

Always form your own opinions, and form them on the basis of what your own unique bird does.

TENDENCIES ARE EXACTLY THAT. Each bird is his or her own fingerprint. They may deviate considerably from the tendencies.

 

[Birdman666]

Actually, I let Pea Pod build her nest, then I take it away, and give her two more phone books to shred, and she makes another one.

It has kept her busy making happy noises for days on end, and she has not been... shall we say, "overly fond" of her bell or her rope toy this year...

I've actually gone through about ten phone books in the past two weeks between just three birds. Fortunately, everyone keeps giving me phone books, so I never seem to run out of them.

Ever seen a quaker shred a phone book into strips, and then weave the paper around the bars of it's cage?! It's really quite fascinating to watch...

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

Do you feed any fresh foods, veggies/fruits?

My other suggestion in terms of a distraction is a food Kabob with carrot on for example even if they don't eat it, it may use some time up to destroy it?

He won't eat anything but walmart bird seed. I'm working on switching his diet, but he's scared of new foods.

Is it normal to have the hormones last for two years? Everyone says "This time around" but it's not something that comes and goes with the seasons. He's this way rain, snow, sun, hail, winter, summer. It does get a LOT worse when he's tired/cranky.

I'll try all your suggestions and see what works/what didn't work! With luck I can at least get him to slow down a bit. If not, I guess I just have to accept that he's fantastic the way he is. And he'd be great for a breeder.

 

[Terry57]

Here is a link on how to convert them to a better diet...hope it helps !
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/23367-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[Anansi]

...I can try switching up his diet. I admit I have not been great with that! (He will NOT eat anything but seeds, and that took some training to do. He has a soft spot for chips though. No idea who fed them to him, but even after the eight years we've refused them to him he still goes nuts when he sees them) is there any one food that's best for him? I don't know how well he'd take to pellets. I'd have to figure out a way to convince him to eat them.

I agree with Plumsmum's suggestion. Fruits and veggies would be a great way to go. Too many seeds would definitely qualify as too rich a diet. And veggies on kabobs would be a great foraging activity that might hold his attention. Another way to go along the diversion vein is flight drills. If your 'tiel is flighted, encouraging flight drills will serve to drain much of his excess energy so that he might not have quite the vigor left to go his usual 20 rounds.

I don't have any nesting boxes around. He does have a box obsession, though. Whenever he sees one he goes nuts. If he gets into a small tube shaped one he goes 'manly' he'll stare at the wall for hours, then attack anyone who gets near him. Needless to say, we try to keep boxes out of sight.

This is what I mean when I mention nesting availability. My ekkie Maya is the same way. If she gets to a nest looking area, her hormones kick into overdrive and may remain that way for the next few hours or so.

I hadn't thought of chew toys! He LOVES to rip things apart. Especially cardboard. Mayb I'll try more of that!
On would assume a 15 year old bird would have settled down his sex drive. His is getting worse. He has no interest in a nest, just getting lucky.
If it is an attitude issue and not a high sex drive, does ignoring them really work? And how long does it take to train it out of them? As I said, he's always done it, but 20 times a day is unusual for him. When he was younger he did it maybe twice a week.

Giving him things to rip apart may very well do the trick, as it could serve as a pleasant distraction. However, I would suggest that you observe him closely for any increase in hormonal behavior... just in case. (Hard as that might be to imagine. Lol!)

 

[Anansi]

Great link, Terr!

 

[ShadowOfTheStorm]

Yes, thank you! I'll see if a diet change helps. How much daylight should he get?