I decided to let my female Amazon nest.

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BlueFrontOwner

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Jul 29, 2013
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I have a female amazon that was egg bound a couple of years back because I let her nest.

After careful consideration , I decided to let her continue to nest, but with some restrictions.

Here is why I decided to let her continue to nest.

I realized my female amazon wants to nest above anything else, she searches for nests and likes to go into boxes etc. If she isn't allowed to nest she is in distress, screams yells, begs for the areas where I let her nest.

I figured this, isn't it cruel to restrict someone from something that is part of their nature and is normal and natural behaviors? I felt like restricting my bird from nesting because of possibly being egg-bound is like telling a human female she can't have sex or meet men because she risks possibly getting pregnant and dying from it.

I'm not going to let my Amazon suffer because she may become egg-bound again. She needs to nest and I can tell this is a big part of her nature. Her drive to nest is unlike anything I've ever seen. I'm not going to restrict her for the small chance she will die from becoming egg-bound. I'm an adrenalin junkie myself and I do many things that put me in harms way. I wouldn't restrict myself because I may get hurt and die, I won't do it to my bird.

What I decided to do is let her nest but have days where she isn't allowed to nest. Like someone commented here you have to mix things up. It seems that she can nest like every other day and not lay eggs, probably much more than that.

She only layed one egg before and that was after nesting everyday for 8 hours a day for months. So It is rare for her to lay eggs.

But I'll say this as my opinion, if you prevent your amazon from doing something that is so important to their nature and the drive to nest is so high and you prevent them from doing this you're the cruel person. Amazon females need to be allowed to nest and should be allowed to do it.

I don't know why my amazon will go into a box in the ceiling and make noises in there for 5-10 hours before she will come to me, but she just loves doing this.
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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But I'll say this as my opinion, if you prevent your amazon from doing something that is so important to their nature and the drive to nest is so high and you prevent them from doing this you're the cruel person. Amazon females need to be allowed to nest and should be allowed to do it.

I don't know why my amazon will go into a box in the ceiling and make noises in there for 5-10 hours before she will come to me, but she just loves doing this.

This is about all I can say about this: ---> :headwall:
 

henpecked

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My hen laid an egg about 40 yrs ago. I figured out it was because she had a nest "spot'. Since then i don't encourage nesting behaviors and it really hasn't been an issue. yeah sure she goes crazy for a box, desk drawer,freezer in the frig, etc. but i remove the temptation and she quickly goes back to being herself. Not sure of the purpose of this thread but i'll leave it at that. At some point they have to learn to live in our world because i don't think you'd do well in hers. Good luck ,i hope it works out for you.
 

henpecked

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Why is it i can't "thank" your post wendy?
 

Kiwibird

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My mom has let her DYH have a nest box for decades with absolutely no issues (except perhaps she doesn't always like to come out when it's time to go to bed and has chewed up all the carpet around it).

I would allow it, for now, but if the nest box causes problems (egg binding, egg laying, aggression, extra hormonal behavior ect...), you NEED to take it away. You OWE it to her, as you are the more intelligent human in charge of her safety and getting egg bound or becoming bitter because she has no mate or babies is ALL ON YOU. Just because she WANTS to doesn't mean she SHOULD. If your 3 year old wanted to play with matches, would you let them just because your an adrenaline junkie? Same concept. Providing a nest box is not essential to a happy, healthy, well adjusted parrot and lots in her life is not natural so if it causes issues, it must go.
 
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henpecked

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What are you doing when she begs for sex?
 

SailBoat

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If you have seriously elected to allow your hen to nest, even knowing of her past history of being egg bound. I would recommend that you get her into see her Vet this coming week. At her Vet, explain what you are planning and her history, and ask the Vet for a recommended diet for your nesting / laying hen based on her history. While at the Vet be sure to get their normal hours and also their after hours phone number(s) and contact procedures.

I am guessing that your hen had a fairly easy egg bound experience last time. Please know that it could have been and based on the direction you have chosen may this time be much worst.

You are choosing to travel a path that has the potential of very serious results. If this goes all very wrong, there will be emotional baggage. Please take the time to understand what life would be like without your Amazon.

Adrenalin was included in our base chemistry to provide the flash of energy to escape harm, not to flirt with death. As an Adult, you have the right to flirt with your own death, to pull that flash of Adrenalin. Depending on where you live, there may be serious questions as to your right to that action with a Child or a Pet.

It may bore you to have to read this from someone that you may see as living is a safe box. To that end, you would be very wrong! I have felt and needed that flash of Adrenalin during my service. That service had found me on the wrong end of a barrel and the resulting loss of friends around me. I was lucky, some of my friends, not. The loss of a life is not worth the momentary flash of Adrenalin, nor the ever lasting emotional baggage.

Life brings us choices: We have the right to choose what is easy or what is right. May we choose wisely.
 
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Christinenc2000

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What are you doing when she begs for sex?

Whew I had a GREAT reply to this but knowing our Mods it would not have lasted 3 seconds.

OP:
"you're the cruel person".............

You Sir are rude ! You do not know any of these people on this forum and to even post is just RUDE. Edit your post and show some respect.
 

JerseyWendy

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What are you doing when she begs for sex?

Whew I had a GREAT reply to this but knowing our Mods it would not have lasted 3 seconds.

OP:
"you're the cruel person".............

You Sir are rude ! You do not know any of these people on this forum and to even post is just RUDE. Edit your post and show some respect.

Christine, I 'think' I had an equally great reply and must admit it was difficult not to give into temptation. :54:
 

Christinenc2000

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What are you doing when she begs for sex?

Whew I had a GREAT reply to this but knowing our Mods it would not have lasted 3 seconds.

OP:
"you're the cruel person".............

You Sir are rude ! You do not know any of these people on this forum and to even post is just RUDE. Edit your post and show some respect.

Christine, I 'think' I had an equally great reply and must admit it was difficult not to give into temptation. :54:

He ruffled my feathers
 

Birdman666

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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I kinda liked the reply about getting the vet's emergency contact information - Cuz you are in all likelihood gonna need it...

I'll shut up now, and leave it at that.
 

Terry57

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My birds would love to have pizza every day and chew on electrical cords...Just because they want to do something, does not make it okay for them to do. I hope that everything turns out for your BFA with this decision.
 

henpecked

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Whew I had a GREAT reply to this but knowing our Mods it would not have lasted 3 seconds.

OP:
"you're the cruel person".............

You Sir are rude ! You do not know any of these people on this forum and to even post is just RUDE. Edit your post and show some respect.

Christine, I 'think' I had an equally great reply and must admit it was difficult not to give into temptation. :54:

He ruffled my feathers

Did i miss a post somewhere? did i piss someone off asking about hen zon mating habits? OP might just be trolling. BTW becareful with what behaviors you encourage/condone.
 
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Christinenc2000

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SilverSage

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You call us cruel, so I guess we are not using "kid gloves" in this conversation. So I will be just as honest with my opinion about you as you have been with your opinion about me. You think I am cruel, I think you are being foolish, selfish, lazy, and yes... CRUEL. Do a little more research before you come in here and spout your options as if they are some sort of moral creed or parrot ownership. I'm reminded of a movie quote that went something like this... "Here, have a biscuit, and do not speak again until you have acquired some wisdom."


Handling Hormones ? Silver Sage Aviaries
 

Aquila

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Once my GCC started egg laying, she never stopped, and even though I did everything possible for her, I believe it's what caused her demise.

If I could have done anything to prevent it from happening in the first place, I would have. She did not have a mate, did not have a nest box, but would drop an egg on the bottom of the cage or in her food bowl and sit on it. She started plucking herself to death over it as well.

We all care for our birds here, talk to your vet, and ultimately make a choice. Think about what's best for her, not you.
 

akrrm

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OP, I wish you would reconsider your decision to let her nest. My cockatoo passed away on April 18 after a procedure to remove an egg. She had no nest box but over the years would randomly lay an egg or two and they would end up in the cage tray. She was a part of our family for 25 years and my heart hurts.
Swoop misses her too.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
I guess the OP didn't like the responses..:rolleyes:

When my friend lived here with Shainna,her DYH,Shainna was provided with boxes to play in. Over the years <about 30 of them> Shainna prolly laid a dozen eggs.

When the season was "right", Shainna would go into her box,rip up anything she could,and make these very weird noises,continuously,that became very annoying to me..and Amy <this is a reason I kind of think Amy,is really AMOS>, coz Amy would do her darndest to get over to Shainnas' house :eek:

It got so bad that Mariann had to find another place to live..

Jim
 
OP
B

BlueFrontOwner

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Here is typical of my bird. She starts screaming and begging toward the basement door. As soon as I take her she must even know where she is going.

She'll stay in there for like 6 hours before she will come out.
 
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