HELP, Keep my CAG's from breeding

[FunnyFarmAK]

I have a 28 yr. male and 24 yr. female, CAG's who were never friends but now I can't keep them apart. I don't want my CAG's to breed. We don't think they have bred yet but just caught them about to engage. (even out in public) We have not given them a private place or any privacy and all 7 of my birds are out and about throughout our huge house most all day. Is the only way to keep them from breeding to keep them separate all the time? If there are other tricks to use, could anybody help or direct me to any threads so I can learn more about the CAG's hormonal cycles and what to do about them? We are about to build an open avairy this month for all 7 birds and need to address this. Or,,,,, do I just let them breed and study up on how to raise young? Thank you from Alaska. Bruce

 

[JerseyWendy]

Bruce, unfortunately the only sure and guaranteed way to prevent your CAGs from copulating is to keep them separated from each other. If they have bonded, they don't care 'where' they 'do' it. And Greys breed year round, so there isn't a certain time of the year where their 'urge' isn't there.

 

[FunnyFarmAK]

Thank you for the response. I guess this will have to change the living arrangements in the new indoor aviary. If she lays any eggs I suppose there is a good chance they are fertilized and just wondering what I should do then. I know if I take the eggs away before 30 days she may continue to lay but if after 30 days I couldn't bring myself to destroy what may be a baby inside,,, anybody have an opinion as to what they would do?

 

[FunnyFarmAK]

HELP,, my 2 CAG's are getting frisky, might be bonded and expecting already.

I have a pair 25 yr. CAG's who didn't used to like each other but now can't keep them apart. The female I've had since a chick, and the male we rescued 2 years ago. We are catching them together (hopefully in time) several times and know the only way is to separate them. We are building a new indoor aviary at our lodge for all 7 of out parrots. I guess this will have to change the living arrangements in the new indoor aviary and must think about how to house these 2. If they have bonded is it going to be bad or hard on them to keep them in separate areas of the aviary?
. If she does lay any eggs in the near future I suppose there is a good chance they are fertilized and just wondering what I should do then. I know if I take the eggs away before 30 days she may continue to lay but if after 30 days I couldn't bring myself to destroy what may be a baby inside,,, anybody have an opinion as to what they would do?I don't want to depress a bonded pair if indeed they are and need advice how best to care for their emotional and changing physical desires. I understand CAG's are frisky all year, so I'm either going to have to learn to hand feed babies or,,,, ???? I really don't want babies, there are enough birds out there that need loving homes and I'm of the school of thought of rescue vs. buying a new bird, but feel trapped here. HELP!!

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[henpecked]

Simple. don't give them a nest box.

 

[henpecked]

I wouldn't separate them. Just don't give them a nest box. Bond pair mate year round. Mating is a bonding thing and doesn't mean they are reproducing.

 

[FunnyFarmAK]

They have no nest box, nor do we allow them in dark closed in areas, but they persist to put on a public display if allowed. I have had the female for 25 yrs. the male is a 28 yr. old we rescued 2 years ago. They never were very good friends and stayed to themselves.. Not anymore,, they don't care who watches or where they are,, they are very affectionate and were seen (what it seemed like) trying to mate on top of the cages. Are you saying just let this behavior happen? Be a lot easier but if eggs came I would feel compelled to assume they are fertilized and carry them to term. any thoughts?
Thanks for your valuable input.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Bruce, opions will vary on this. Our beloved Captain (henpecked) who is an EXTREMELY knowledgeable, reputable and fantastic breeder, has given you his POV.

I'm no breeder. I've never bred, nor do I ever intend to.

I LOVE seeing my parrots interact with each other. I wouldn't want it any other way. I have 2 Amazons (male and female of different species) and 2 macaws (different species). My big macs get along beautifully (most of the time), as do my Amazons.

All, except 1, of my birds are males. My DHY Amazon likes my hen YN - A LOT! He's only 3. She's 16! All my birds are housed in separate cages, however, they are allowed to spend time with each other throughout the day on the Java trees. Amazons together, and big macs together, not all at once.

There WILL come a time, in the near future, where I will most likely separate my Amazons (during breeding season) as I don't want my male to become 'too awfully' bonded to my female. I will never encourage them to 'consummate' their relationship. Not only are they 2 different species, but I am neither equipped nor willing to ever breed 2 different species of Amazons.

Again - it's absolutely wonderful to see parrots get along with each other. They are flock creatures, and many are pair-bonded. They give each other 'things' we as humans can never give them. (Again, this is just MVHO, made out of sheer observation, and I've been keeping those beloved feathered companions for a 'few' years.)

Bruce, YOU will have to ultimately make the decision on what to do with your greys. Will they require a box to lay eggs? Will the eggs be fertile? I don't know. Our Captain (henpecked) knows a whole lot more about these things.

 

[henpecked]

I assume the issue is their copulating bothers you? I doubt they'll lay eggs. Like i said, it's common for bonded pairs to copulate all year round. My zons do it , but never lay eggs without a nest box. If she did lay an egg you could hard boil it and give it back to her, although i doubt she'd sit a egg laid on the bottom of the cage. You can also buy fake eggs to keep her from laying a clutch.

 

[FunnyFarmAK]

Thank you so much for your help. I'm just getting acclimated to being in a true flock situation. Not sure who's teaching who in this house, I think my birds are schooling me.

 

[FunnyFarmAK]

Henpecked, you are the bomb. I have a good idea now and will see how they progress, as our avairy gets finished up I am going to need to see who gets along with who which all my birds seem to, but don't want rampant sex resulting in eggs. The CAG's really enjoy being close side by side now and preen each others head and neck area. I'm going to let this unfold and hope to see no eggs. Thanks for all your expertise.