Aggression help!

So Nalani had been the perfect little baby for a while now. Unfortunately her streak of angelic behavior has come to an end. She's become so aggressive towards my whole family. Just last night she bit my little brother on the lip and he bled a LOT. She growls and lunges at my mom and her cage aggression has gotten worse. Now, she actually prefers her cage over her perch. Whenever I put her on the perch or play with her, she just goes straight to her cage. She no longer shows interest in clicker training, and protests on outings.

Nothing at home has changed and she doesn't scream at all. I called my vet and she said that its most likely her hormones. But she's only 8 months old... Could it be that her hormones kicked in already?

I've tried reading to her in a soft voice when she's in the cage (not willing to come out), I've used the rope perch as suggested also. Is there anything I can do to ease her frustration or is this something I have to ride through.

This is why I always recommend males....

I'm sure this will pass. In the meantime, give her lots of space, so that no one gets hurt in the midst of her aggressive episodes. Let her get complete darkness at night for about 14 hours. Don't cuddle her and so forth either. Give her the space the wants and she'll come through it. We are talking about biological patterns here, there is nothing we can do about it except avoid directly stimulating it.

I don't think it's hormones. It's too easy to blame everything on "hormones". In order for hormones to be the cause, her reproductive organs would have to swell and enlarge in her abdomen. At 8 months I doubt this. Also, most of the time the sign of maturity in hens is them beginning to nest hunt, NOT biting. Sitting in dark spaces for prolonged periods of time can eventually cause the reproductive organs to enlarge, but again usually not at this young an age and I doubt she's been sitting in a dark cozy spot.

Instead I think something is bothering her. I don't know if she's injured or not feeling well, but the things you are describing (biting someone she likes, returning to her cage and sitting instead of interacting) sound like something is "off".

Observe her and notice everything she does for a couple days. Compare it to what her normal behavior has been, including playing/not playing with toys and how often throughout the day she rests.

I also would check everything in her vicinity to be sure there is nothing with small metal pieces she could have injested.

IMO, this does NOT sound like a phase.

Thanks Chikoo and Sodakat for your suggestions. Nalani gets about 13 hours of "sleep" time where her cage is covered and completely dark. My house is fully bird proof and the only metal she has access to are stainless steel chains from her toys. Other than her aggression, her routine hasn't changed. She eats well and her weight is stable (340 grams). She's been playing with her foraging toys and energy levels are consistent. I just don't understand how her behavior can change literally overnight.

I will definitely monitor her for the next few days. If this continues, do you think I should take her to the vet?

A vet trip may not be a bad idea. Do you get to spend one on one time with her? Does she feel safe in her environment, or is there anything you could have overlooked?

I do, I spend about 2-4 hours of one on one time with her (4 on the weekends). She accompanies me with chores/studying. Plus she gets about 6 hours of out of the cage time everyday. Whether it's outside or indoors. I wish I could pinpoint something that's scaring her, but really... nothing of her daily routine has changed including her environment. If it is due to an injury, I have no clue how that could have happened. All of her out of cage time is supervised. January was her last vet visit where she had a full panel blood work done plus a gram stain. Everything was completely normal and healthy. I guess all I can do is monitor her behavior the next few days... if her aggression gets worse I think I'm gonna take her in to see the vet.

She probably is fine. I just wanted you to be aware that biting their owner when they are normally gentle can indicate they don't feel well.

Any bird might be a little nippy when inside their cage. If the biting takes place only when she's in the cage I wouldnt' worry. Also, if she bites when you try to hand her to someone or when someone is interacting with her while she is on you, that also is understandable because she may not want their attention at that time.

Thanks sodakat. Today she's much better, her cage aggression wasn't too bad and my brother was able to handle her. She's also enjoying her lunch on her perch and hasn't made attempts to go to her cage. I guess she just had a case of grumpiness, I'll still be watching her with hawk eyes. There must be something I missed that upset her for the past few days. Haha, I started a daily log... call me a little obsessed.