Double Yellow Head Pair "Deadbeat Dad"

[hartster]

Hi forum, does anyone have any advice? I have no experience with breeding amazons other than what Ive read and advice Ive gotten from local breeders.

I got a pair of DYH and the Male looks and acts like a Male, has one foot missing but does everything normally, he has 2 shelves and cut up food, other than that he gets around on his stump no problem. The hen acts like a hen and has no issues. The hen was obviously a pet bird she is so sweet and steps right up, the Male I don't know but he is not tame, maybe a breeder bird. I don't know how they came to be a pair.

I got them from a local breeder who told me where they came from and they are 7 and 8 years old. I have had them almost a year. I never had them sexed. I have noticed over time that the male does not like to be preened by the hen, he allows it for a few minutes then rejects her. I talked to the breeder and he said just put the nest box on their cage, use a visual barrier to create privacy and reduce your contact time with them, feed at same time each day, breeder formula, fresh veggies, etc. The breeder told me if they mate and have babies they will bond to each other and ultimately be happier.

I put up the nest box November 26 and they took to it right away. The hen suddenly displayed breeding behavior, squealing with her tail up, crowding the Male, clucking etc. I have not seen the Male mount her but his behavior hasn't changed much other than he's become super aggressive to me(rightly so). I have noticed he's more accepting of the hen, they spend more time together and preen each other and sit together very close, bodies touching.

For the last week the hen stays in the nest box for long periods and only comes out to eat then quickly returns to the box. I haven't heard her squealing. I waited a week to check the box and no eggs. The Male is not feeding her he just plays with his toys. He screams when she's present and is quiet and playing when she is in the box.

If there's anyone out there with advice I would love to hear it. I'm worried about her. At the same time I can't wrap my head around splitting them up at all. I just can't do that to him. She tolerates him that's enough for me.

I don't know what to do. Im worried that something bad might happen if I remove the nest box.

Should I remove the nest box or wait longer?
How long do you let it up if there's no eggs produced?
Should I remove it and wait a to see if they will go into their carrier so I don't have to towel them? (would be less traumatic).
Should I DNA them both?
Are you supposed to split them up if they don't mate?

I feel terrible and can't imagine how the hen must feel...

 

[Noahs_Birds]

Should I remove the nest box or wait longer?: I would not move the box, as the process she is going through is called 'working the box', where they get comfortable in their surroundings ready to lay

How long do you let it up if there's no eggs produced?: Do not worry, leave the box in the nest forever if you want, most breeders like myself always leave the nest box in the aviary, do not remove it. The only time you should ever remove a nest box is if they are not suitable to breed,or you do not want them to breed.

Should I remove it and wait a to see if they will go into their carrier so I don't have to towel them? (would be less traumatic).: Leave the nest box, and entice them into the carrier with treats and, if the hen does not leave the box, just take her from the box, if you are talking about taking them to be DNA sexed

Should I DNA them both?: They are showing all the right signs, if they do not breed for after another season, you can DNA if you want

Are you supposed to split them up if they don't mate?: DO NOT SPLIT THEM UP. Amazon parrots have very strong pair bonds, and should be not split up, unless they turn out to be the same sex

As a side note, the **** bird after a first attempt may not prove as fertile when they eventually mate, due to his missing foot, but should produce at the most, the second season
Bird breeding requires alot of patience, do not worry about them, try not to look into the nest as much and generally just leave them in peace
Good luck, and I hope I have helped
Thanks
Noah Till

 

[hartster]

Thank you Noah, your advice is very much appreciated. I noticed that overnight the pair were sitting together sleeping. I feel so much better knowing they are ok. Thanks again

 

[texsize]

I had a pair of Amazons. a OWA and a RLA.
There were several mating's and I put a nest box in with them.
Well the female spent a fair amount of time in the nest box but what ended up happening was that the Male would not let her come out of the nest box.
In the end I took the nest box out and the aggression that the male was showing went away. I never separated the pair.


I never got any eggs and in retrospect that was just as well.

 

[SailBoat]

Until you truly invest the time and money to be able to support a Breed pair of Amazons or any Parrot for that matter, if your pair are successful the results will likely be the lost of the chicks, if the parents reject the chicks.

In front of you are several thousands in costs for special product and several years of learning in the facility of a Real Breeder, not a Bird Mill.

Regardless of whether the Parrots are ready, you are not. Once this years cycle is complete, you need to remove the Breeding Box as you are not ready.

FYi: Amazons are a CITES controlled Parrot and there are very specific documents that are required for the selling or even giving a young Amazon too 'others'.

To have none of the breeders (small 'b') you are taking to inform you of the above implies they either do not know or they are setting you up for failure.

FYI: Do you have a Certified Avian Vet that has seen and evaluated you're
Parrots? If not, you need to have that level of professional support to proceed.

 

[Scott]

I respectfully offer the following thread, written by a respected member/breeder: http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/54987-before-i-start-breed.html

 

[Kiwibird]

I second Sailboats response! If I were you, I would remove the nest box ASAP.

Just because this is a male and female who enjoy each other’s company doesn’t mean they should be allowed to (or even want to) breed. Nor does it mean that you are experienced or prepared enough to become a breeder. My parents male and female amazon were very closely bonded, but never mated in the 40 some years they were together before the male died. Both were/are nice as pets and very tame, but were also inseparable as bird friends until he died. Amazons make wonderful companion birds BTW and IMO, you should be focusing on that route with these birds by the sounds of it. It sounds like the female already likes you, and with some work, no doubt the male will follow suit. Females do tend to be a little “friendlier” than males, but males tend to be more playful. You have the opportunity to enjoy both. Properly socialized amazon are very friendly and highly social birds, it’s in their nature, meaning they can be friends with other birds and humans. They may like each other a little more, but can also enjoy the company of humans as well. In fact, the more social opportunities they get, the better!