We've Hit A New Level Of Hormones

A little back story, my ekkie Venus hit puberty this past February becoming hormonal, laying 6 eggs in the span of 3 months (they should only lay 4 in a year), and since has remained hormonal. She's 3/5 years old.

In April we brought home Buzz, an African Grey and he is still settling in but Venus has decided he is GOING to be her boyfriend. He could care less but she won't leave him alone so she is getting less outside cage time and she has been constantly going to his cage and displaying herself for him. Yesterday, I heard Venus scream, ran to check her and found she had opened the nestbox door, opened Buzz's door and was in his cage beak to beak. Buzz bit her. So without thinking I stuck my hand in and told her to step up and she laid into my hand. I opened another thread yesterday about this. She bit me four times when I tried step up, and toweling her. I have an old dowel perch and pulled it from the closet and got her to step up and put her in her cage and zip tied the damn doors.

Today, I prepared chop and was putting the bowls in the feeding doors and even though I tried to open Venus' door fast, she was faster and zipped out the door and yes I'm leery of sticking my hands close to her right now. Glad I didn't because she is being very mean and aggressive today. She also is not listening so trying to get her in her cage was a challenge because she attacked the perch, ran at my face on her play top and kept running. I put her favorite food, pomegranite in her her food bowl and when she climbed on the inside of the cage door to investigate, I closed the door. I've also moved her cage across the living room. At this point she is staying in her cage for a while, she's lost her out time.

At this point I'm at a loss as to what to do with her. I know it's hormones and they seem to be raging worse than before. I'm hoping with the distance from Buzz she will mellow out. I miss my sweet girl, she's my best behaved bird until now. I'm also going to see the doctor today because the worse bite she gave me keeps bleeding and hurts so bad.

Shoot Tracey, I'm so sorry this keeps going from bad to worse. Is this why your vet won't go the route of medication, because it's puberty?

I am wondering if the nest box is a secondary source of Venus's dreadful behavior? Hormonal activity is primary, but the presence of her special dark dungeon may spur her more aggressive instincts? If you are not planning to breed Venus, perhaps removing the box may be of help.

Scott said:

I am wondering if the nest box is a secondary source of Venus's dreadful behavior? Hormonal activity is primary, but the presence of her special dark dungeon may spur her more aggressive instincts? If you are not planning to breed Venus, perhaps removing the box may be of help.

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She doesn't have a nest box but the cage has a door at the top for a nest box. No boxes, no nests, no dark places for her. While at the doctor's I started time lining events. Last week she bit me and drew blood and three weeks ago she was aggressive but not like now. Since bringing Buzz out of QT, she won't leave him alone and each week she's become more aggressive. She is now screaming so I rolled her cage into Husband's office and closed the door. I'm really beginning to believe Buzz is her stimuli and he could care less! He wants nothing to do with her. So by placing her in Husband's office, she's in time out, and can't see Buzz so I want to see if her behavior changes if she can't see him.

Fingers are ok, the worst bite is swollen and looks like it's getting infected so I'm on an antibiotic and had to get a tetanus shot.


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Husband got home from work to find Venus and I making up in his office. She was on my shoulder, calm and sweet. She even made some raspberry sounds for me. He told me I was crazy. We rolled her cage into the living room but she wouldn't get off my shoulder. Ever tried to get dressed with a bird on your shoulder? After that she got on her cage, I gave her a couple of nutra berries and she went in her cage, no problem. But did keep looking at Buzz, focused on him. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.


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You're an inspiration on how to be patient and work through problems! Your threads are going to be my handbook when Liesl gets to her teens. I koffkoffcantkoffkoff wait. Right now I have the reverse problem with Wrangler being the hormonal one and Liesl being indifferent. I dont intend to breed them, but lets hope that's not a "solution" to a potential future problem like yours! As Ive said before, Venus is lucky to have you for a mom.

Update! Venus is hating losing her out time but I've seen major improvement with her really regulating her out time. I hate to say this but her office time has been huge because she continues to scream throughout the day. Now her out time is solely with me and once she makes a move to jump down to roam, she goes back in her cage. Her behavior has been stellar with such regimented changes. Also, she is getting more window time, no shadows or dark spots allowed. She has been a superstar with her behavior.

Unfortunately I lost a family bird sitter because of her bites. No manner of trying to explain them couldn't change her mind. My bites are healing well, I opened one up on Sunday moving things around so I'm sure it will scar but all is well. I hate having to be so regimented with Venus but it is working.


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Taw5106 said:

Update! Venus is hating losing her out time but I've seen major improvement with her really regulating her out time. I hate to say this but her office time has been huge because she continues to scream throughout the day. Now her out time is solely with me and once she makes a move to jump down to roam, she goes back in her cage. Her behavior has been stellar with such regimented changes. Also, she is getting more window time, no shadows or dark spots allowed. She has been a superstar with her behavior.

Unfortunately I lost a family bird sitter because of her bites. No manner of trying to explain them couldn't change her mind. My bites are healing well, I opened one up on Sunday moving things around so I'm sure it will scar but all is well. I hate having to be so regimented with Venus but it is working.


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Glad she is behaving better and you found something that works. In the future, once her hormones have settled down, you may be able to be a bit more relaxed with her, but you have to do what you have to do! Kiwi required very regimented out of cage time when he was new to us and at the height of puberty. As he naturally mellowed out and trust in his ability to behave was built, it naturally progressed out of that super strict phase into much more laid back for everyone You'll get there with your girl, just might take a few years. Oh and glad those bites are healing!

Kiwibird said:

Taw5106 said:

Update! Venus is hating losing her out time but I've seen major improvement with her really regulating her out time. I hate to say this but her office time has been huge because she continues to scream throughout the day. Now her out time is solely with me and once she makes a move to jump down to roam, she goes back in her cage. Her behavior has been stellar with such regimented changes. Also, she is getting more window time, no shadows or dark spots allowed. She has been a superstar with her behavior.



Unfortunately I lost a family bird sitter because of her bites. No manner of trying to explain them couldn't change her mind. My bites are healing well, I opened one up on Sunday moving things around so I'm sure it will scar but all is well. I hate having to be so regimented with Venus but it is working.





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Glad she is behaving better and you found something that works. In the future, once her hormones have settled down, you may be able to be a bit more relaxed with her, but you have to do what you have to do! Kiwi required very regimented out of cage time when he was new to us and at the height of puberty. As he naturally mellowed out and trust in his ability to behave was built, it naturally progressed out of that super strict phase into much more laid back for everyone You'll get there with your girl, just might take a few years. Oh and glad those bites are healing!

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April, seeing Kiwi on your shoulder touching your face is a milestone. I know you've been working with him nonstop to build a relationship and you've done so well. It's positive proof to effort investment.

Buddy is 26 yo (my Amazon for newbies). He is proof that fids mellow hormonally. He has been so sweet, no violent change in his behavior even though he does have his seasons. They are short thank goodness. But if I want a fid cuddle, he'll give it to me. He does get treats and scritches, bonus in his book.

Any new parront needs to be aware of hormones and decide if they truly want to be involved with a parrot. Bites should be expected whether they happen or not.


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