Permeant mating season?

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Okay... so maybe exaggerating.... but Adrian is always wanting to mate with me or Rocky.

First things first, hello everyone, it's been a while! I am a reporter now for Abc 7 and Fox 22 in Bangor --- I found an amazing vet that loves Rocky and Adrian -- and affordable in the Bangor/Orrington area.

But back to my questions --- I am don't know what to do with her haha... I feel bad.... but I am trying to discourage it as much as possible...but she's non-stop... does it ever stop? I don't want a baby hatching around....

Poor Rocky flees from temptation.

It's been like this for months now.... like over almost 7-8 months now....

Since adopting them back in October --- like has been amazing with them --- don't get me wrong -- the flock calls could be brutal.... I am trying to train them to call out in a different manner but to no avail... sometimes Adrian will scream, What's a bad boy?! BAAAD BOY! BAAAAAAAAAAAD BOOOOY! lol that's cute... but the jungle call... not so much haha.

 

[Eitak579]

I'm in NEPA but follow the Bangor Maine Police Dept on Facebook, those guys are absolutely hilarious, so witty!

Not sure about the lady bird advances, good luck with that!

 

[SailBoat]

For some reason that I'm not getting, this year has been very difficult for many Amazon owners across North America and Europe. And, just to make it difficult for each of them, the basics (halting or at least limiting 'mating' season activities) doesn't seem to be working or at least not as successfully this year. Add to that, others like yourself, who are faced with continuation - a never ending season of 'joy.' Well at least for one anyway!

For some, age seems to be playing some part, especially with those who's Amazons are just becoming sexually mature. For others, there just does not seem to be a clear driver, which can be targeted.

Regardless of age, a continuous season of 'joy' is not healthy for anyone, including the Amazon in the throws of it. The most dangerous part is the break-down in the relationships (bond) effected by this continuous season.

So, for a fall back - lets start with a visit to your new Vet targeting any medical issues that maybe driving this response. Once, we have a clear understanding that it is not an underlining health problem and with a detailed discussion with the Vet regarding this 'issue,' we can look at revisiting some of the basics at home.

Schedule: A change in the household schedule can effect any Parrot. Double check that your new jobs schedules may not be a driver. This is especially true if you're schedule starts with: I don't have a schedule - my life is driven by events. Amazon's can adjust to that, we just need to offer clear indications of our comings and goings.

Comings and Goings: Everyone will tell you that they want to know when your leaving and returning. With a non-scheduled World, you just need to adjust how much noise and light you need when leaving or arriving in the dark hours. Regardless of time, Contact Calls (greetings or Goodbys) need to happen, just adjust the loudness to fit the time period.

Contact Calls: This is one of the biggest errors /underestimated things us Humans do, or better stated do not do enough of. In a natural setting, any Parrot leaving or returning to the group is accompanied with Contact Calls by the individual and the group. And, this can go on though-out the day and into the evening. This also includes when your out of sight of your Parrot(s). Whether its a short song, or spoken set of words, etc.... It lets everyone know; I'm OK, are you OK! This also helps in curbing screaming.

Sleep: Yes, naps help and do off-set shortened night time sleeping periods. But those naps need to occur with quiet time, much like a young child. Night time sleep, as dark as possible or maybe better stated to the liking of the Parrot. We recently found that our DYH Amazon sleeps better with in a dim room where stable figures (landmarks) exist to 'anchor' our Amazon in the belief that all is well. For those faced with Night Flights, it worth trying!

Re-establishing or resetting the Parrots internal 'Year Clock' does require as much dark (or dim) periods of sleep as possible. The goal is to set into place that 'mating season' has ended.

As always, take great care in not getting your Amazon over-loaded /over-stimulated! This is a solid driver and in addition to an over-sexed Amazon, everyone is exposed to an Amazon totally out-of-control.

Although, it likely doesn't help any, for whatever reason, you are not alone this year.

Few want to hear it, but when things get out of hand; return to the most basic activities /interactions. They provide a known starting point for everyone.

Love your Amazons! Learn and re-learn their Body Language! And when all else fails, return to the basics!

 

[MonicaMc]

Most owners set their homes up for 24/7 breeding behaviors.


We provide them with a constant 12/12 night/day schedule, we feed them rich foods, we may pet them inappropriately, we don't socialize them very well, we may even provide them nesting locations (unintentionally), keep the temperature in our homes constant, regardless of time of year, etc.


It helps to change things up by changing the diet, changing the day/night schedule, possibly changing the temperature inside your home so it's not so constant, changing the cage and/or cage location.....

 

[GaleriaGila]

Nice to "meet" you, Jackie. Congratulations on your new job! And congratulations on your continuing devotion to you feathered family members. Congratulations on getting a good vet, too.

I second the previous two posts. I would add that I'm lucky enough for my bird to have his own room, which makes it possible for him to wake up and go to bed according to a natural light schedule. Yeah, he's a real Romeo for "that time of the year", but he settles down.

Great photo, by the way. Amazon shoulder pads...

 

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Here's another issue for some reason Rocky keeps biting my wife's face or forehead like in a scarring way... randomly he will fly to her head or to her and bite her hard either out of spite or who knows....

But reacted like I normally don't... wife bleeding and crying in all... he began charging at me when I tried changing the water... but this was after he sat on my shoulder kissing me, while I apologized for putting him in the cage (kind of chased him with a blanket because he was dodging me.) I think a lot of this is because of the mating season but I am still pretty new to this, since October... so I really don't know what is their norm for the last 15 years.

I am also considering clipping their wings... I hate the idea... buy another thought is... he keeps flying to the flat screan tv and perching and biting it.. so we constantly have to move him.... so that's another reason why he maybe bit my wife. I have never really been bit or attacked by either of them...

We are also limited with the heat and temperature, old New England homes and smaller apartment that doesn't have much room because it's has archs that take up most of the living room... cool look but awkwardly takes up the corners. Help?

Diet is usually fruits, vegetables, fruits, flax and chi seeds with oats, maybe too mushy? Mixed in are their pellets. They are not on a bird seed diet

 

[MonicaMc]

What I'm reading is training issues.

Ok, if you do decide to clip their wings, they may not be able to fly and attack... however, they still have feet, and if they are still determined... well, that wont stop them! Clipping them is not the answer, although it may help you, it doesn't help the bird.


Target training and station training. These would be extremely useful tools to use when needed.

 

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Well normally I use teats go get them in the cage... but I again chasing him in cage was me a bit angry because my wife's face had a chunk.

He's been aggressive because of mating... at certain times, especially after Adrian gets all butt pushy to me or him... while he wants nothing to do with it...he keeps avoiding her, he gets pseudo attacking. He is regurgitate his food.

I hate the idea of clipping his wings but three times ready has flown at my wife... all at random occurance, so nothing that seemed to be related to each other and took a chunk... one close to her eye.

 

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Their previous owner definitely has trained them to be loud and bratty birds and me trying to break them out of it, is definitely so easy walk in the park. 15 years of bad reinforcement

 

[Jackiebuckdaily]

How do I do the target and station training? They are afraid of sticks and we'll everything. Is that the one with the clicker?:

 

[MonicaMc]

Well normally I use teats go get them in the cage... but I again chasing him in cage was me a bit angry because my wife's face had a chunk.

I hate the idea of clipping his wings but three times ready has flown at my wife... all at random occurance, so nothing that seemed to be related to each other and took a chunk... one close to her eye.

It may be best to keep the birds caged while your wife is around so as to avoid them having the chance to attack her. While caged, it would be a great idea to work on target training, not just you, but your wife as well.

How do I do the target and station training? They are afraid of sticks and we'll everything. Is that the one with the clicker?:

A clicker is not necessary, nor is a stick, although you may find that using a clicker is easier than not using one.. Even if they are afraid of an object, it is still possible to teach them to target towards it.

You would first reward the first for looking at an object, the object we want to use as a target. Then reward them for turning their head towards it. Then reward for stretching their neck towards it. Then reward the bird for taking a step towards it, taking two steps, three steps, etc. They don't physically have to touch the object for them to be target trained. If need be, this can be broken down into further steps.

If you teach target training while inside the cage, through the cage bars, you (and your wife) can avoid getting bitten if you learn how to provide a treat just right. As in, make the bird reach through the bars to receive a treat, or offer the treat on a spoon, or drop the treat into a cup inside the cage. Whatever it takes to avoid the bite while still teaching the desired behavior.



Station training is kind of simple. If a bird is sitting where you want them to be, then reward them. At first, these rewards should be frequent and fast. As the bird continues sitting where you want them, you can slowly cut back on how frequent you are giving the reward. If the bird is not where you want them to be, then you may need to lure (or target) them to the location, then reward that behavior.

If you ever have problems changing out food dishes or toys while the bird is in the cage, station training can help you avoid those issues! And it can also be used to help teach a bird to ignore another bird, animal or even human.

 

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Thanks. I talked to my wife and convinced her of the reasons of why clipping isn't good. They don't completely attack her all the time, it's random moments. But I said you see him flying, cover your face or hide your face.

He's been good, the next day actually.