Does My Bird Need to Breed?

Some believe their bird is unhappy and would be happier if it were allowed to breed.  Some people get a mate for their bird and try this on their own, while others give/sell their parrots to breeders believing the bird will be happier if he had a mate and was allowed to breed.  We get many birds at the rescue as the result of these types of pairings. 

To understand the dynamics of bird breeding;  Birds that are parent raise and kept wild are typically used in breeding as they have the natural instinct, drive and are parent taught the dynamics of breeding.  Where pet birds are usually removed from their parents before their eyes are open and do not have the same natural drives and instincts.  Now this does not mean that some don’t get hormonal urges, but these are usually seasonal and can be controlled somewhat with a few behaviour modifications. 

What we have found is most pet birds, when placed into a breeding program are not very successful breeders.  They don’t understand the dynamics, have a higher rate of killing their mates or being killed or having their beaks ripped off  or other injuries(this is fairly common even with normal breeders but much higher in pet/breeding).

They usually don’t understand the physical aspects and typically don’t produce viable eggs .  They also have a much higher rate of killing their own babies as they don’t understand the parenting aspect as they were not taught if they are able to produce viable eggs.

They have now reverted back to their wild nature to an extent where they don’t want to be handled by people and their homonal instincts are now much higher.  The breeders encourage this by not handling them at all, not talking to them and no toys so they learn that the only thing left for them is to breed.  They leave them strictly with a mate and breeding box for a number of years.  They typically end up plucking themselves bald and/or get plucked by their mate from all the stress.

The majority of breeders once they realize that this particular bird will not successfully breed,  usually try to sell them to someone again as a pet. Usually for a reduced price as they are now damaged goods and typically they sell them to someone without the knowledge or ability to care for it properly think they are getting a deal with the cheaper price.  In some cases they go off to another unsuspecting breeder.   They no longer want the burden or expenses for housing, feeding and space so they can make room for other breeders.  

What is left of the bird?  He no longer wants human interaction as it once did  as it has now become fearful of humans and touch.  It is usually badly plucked with little hope of regaining its feathers and now gets hormonal with more frequency.  It is no longer a pet or breeder.

These birds are now very messed up.  They are much harder to manage and typically end up in rescues.  If they are lucky they will get an experienced behaviourist that may be able to help them to adjust to life with humans again.  Otherwise they end up in a cage somewhere where they live a fearful life not wanting interaction, unloved and very stressed.

Presently we have 6 such birds at the rescue and we are finding our own frustration in trying to reintegrate them into a place that would be best suited to them.  We do work towards behaviour modifications to help them re-adjust back to life with people.  We just hope some peeople will read this and realize the long term results of wanting their parrot to breed.

CBS Evening News Story About the Dilemma of Parrots in the US

The Parrots and People Paradox

Metro News Article about PASO

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/Work/article/215597

Spring Survival Guide

It seems that almost every parrot goes crazy in the spring.  They chew much more, get a lot louder, nippier, grumpier, and worst of all hormonal! 

My phone rings off the wall every year at this time by people who are either fed up or are panicked about their parrots behaviour this time of year.

It is all a natural reaction to spring.  Which is breeding season for most animals including parrots.

We need to provide for our pets and our own sanity to make it through the two months of raging hormones.

Here are a list of things that should help.

- Clip the birds wings.  If he is attacking and biting clipping the wings will stop 90% of your trouble as you will have to approach him in order to get bit.  It also helps to ease off some of the aggressive tendencies.

- Bring in lots of toys.  This should help keep your wood furniture and door moldings safe.  Parrots chew very heavily this time of the year.  By providing plenty of toys it should help to keep their little beaks busy and ease off on the furniture chewing.

- Keep them caged longer, if they are aggressive and grumpy, there is no reason to get your self injured.  Spend time with him by playing games through the bars of the cage.

- Get rid of hormone inducing toys.  Happy huts, fuzzy buddies, nesting materials etc

- Ignore the loud screaming.  I know it is a pain but it will end shortly.  You don’t want to acknowledge the screaming as it only leads to reinforcement.

- Keep petting to the top of the head.  If the parrot starts panting, stop all petting.

- If the parrot starts laying eggs, start a calcium supplement and get rid of hormone inducing toys.

- Some plucking can take place this time of year also.  Give plenty of baths and provide preening type toys.

If will take some patience and perseverance but it does get better………well that is until next spring!

Is It Time to Give Up Your Parrot?

I wrote this article many years ago.  I have been asked for it a few times over the years and thought it was lost to the internet ethers.   Our web designer luckily holds on to everything and after searching she found it so I am reprinting it here.

Is it time to give up your parrot?

Sometimes we get a pet and for what ever reason it does not fit with the family, or stresses get in the way that stop  us from being able to give it the life we would like it to have.   Many people believe in a commitment for life which is honorable but if the birds needs are not being met is it really fair to the bird?  Some times loving them is not enough.   I have compiled a list of things to look for , and if noticed, then you  should consider giving up your parrot.

• You can’t afford to look after it anymore or provide a good diet for it
• You aren’t able to regularly maintain it  yourself or with a vet to keeps it’s nails and beak trimmed.
• You are afraid of the bird
• You move it into the back of the house or into the basement to keep it quiet
• You cover it just to keep it quiet
• You frequently leave it alone for long periods of time
• Your life has become too busy to spend daily time with it
• You never take it out of it’s cage or spend time with it
• You can’t afford to keep buying toys or to provide a proper cage
• You or a family member walk by and kick the cage
• You or a family member are constantly yelling at it
• The parrot is causing problems with your family
• You or your family members are stressed by your parrot. This isn’t good for either of your well being.
• If you clean the cage less than once a week
• If you are afraid of someone seeing it due to the fact that it is a plucker or a mutilator (don’t be afraid to call us we will help with these issues)
• If you don’t know how to handle it, or are afraid to go near it

Any of these can be extremely hard on a parrot and some can be equally as hard on family member.  They typically lead to behaviour problems and psychological problems including depression, plucking, mutilating and screaming.  Even though we may love the parrot, we need to look after its best interests and sometimes that would be a new environment where he will get the attention and affection and care that could be lacking due to life influences in the home.  We can still love them but want a better life for them than we are able to offer.