What's The Best Strategy To Manage Males And Females Without Breeding?

Violet_Diva · Feb 8, 2018

Dexter has been making advances towards Bella.
This has previously consisted of him chasing her and her getting angry and confused, she'd growl at him and say "What cha doin?!"

But last night she seemed to enjoy the attention and seemed to be playing kiss-chase with him.
He'd fly over to her and announce "Dexter" while doing his open wing shrug.
She'd reply "Hi ya" "Bellaaaaa"
They'd have some beak contact
She'd chatter away to him saying "Look!" "D'ya want some yummy?" "Mmmmmm delicious!" "Yummy yummy yummy yummy yummy"
They were chasing eachother around - flying from room to room and repeating their little conversions.

It was very cute and funny, but it makes me wonder if I should be letting them be flirty...
Bella is not quite 'of age' yet, but when she is, what's the best strategy?

Should I be not letting them out together?
Or am I just to intervene when they are attempting to be 'physical'?
Or do I let them mate and not worry about Bella laying eggs (she has nowhere they can go other than through the bottom of the cage grill.)
Or should I give her a nesting spot and switch her eggs out for fakes?

I was wondering how people usually manage having multiple parrots that... erm... 'get along' but don't wish to breed them. Please advise!

Presley · Feb 9, 2018

what would you do with the eggs you switch out for fakes?

Also nesting spot or not, mating or not, female birds can still lay eggs (if not mating, then the eggs won't be fertile, obviously).

If she winds up laying eggs, she will need higher calcium in her diet as egg laying (fertile or not) leeches calcium from the bones.

Violet_Diva · Feb 10, 2018

Presley said:
what would you do with the eggs you switch out for fakes?

Also nesting spot or not, mating or not, female birds can still lay eggs (if not mating, then the eggs won't be fertile, obviously).

If she winds up laying eggs, she will need higher calcium in her diet as egg laying (fertile or not) leeches calcium from the bones.

Odd question... but I normally bury my pigeons eggs as they make for a good natural fertiliser, so I'd imagine I'd do the same with Bellas eggs when the time comes. She isn't old enough to lay eggs yet though.

I am aware she will lay eggs regardless. (I already have to manage my pigeons eggs as they would constantly lay, so they have to be given dummy eggs, so that they rest and don't deplete their calcium to a dangerous level, but they are also given a liquid Calcivet product too).

Violet_Diva · Feb 10, 2018

I was really looking for a reply relating to the best approach for the parrots psychologically speaking. I have listed the possible ways of managing mating / egg laying (that I can think of) and was wanting to know as to which option is likely to be the least distressing for the birds or if anyone else has an alternative to suggest?

Anyone who has mixed sex parrots and doesn't breed them, I would be interested as to how you manage your flocks interactions, mating and egg laying... anyone???

Presley · Feb 12, 2018

Down the line, I may get a female ekkie. I already have a male ekkie and I don't mind them mating, but I don't want them breeding, either. That's why I asked what you would do with the eggs.

Dopey · Feb 13, 2018

I don't have an answer for you because I think it will depend.

Should I be not letting them out together? I would let them out together. They love their flock and the playing together is good for them. But that is the way I think.
Or am I just to intervene when they are attempting to be 'physical'? I wouldn't intervene. Again, it is part of playing and being in the flock. But that is the way I think.
Or do I let them mate and not worry about Bella laying eggs (she has nowhere they can go other than through the bottom of the cage grill.) It is part of nature. I wouldn't worry about the eggs unless she started laying more than 2-3 times a year. But that is the way I think.
Or should I give her a nesting spot and switch her eggs out for fakes? My first Ekkie (she died last June) didn't lay eggs as long as she didn't have her hut or a nest. She shared the cage with a male Ekkie until he became aggressive and started stressing her out. Just keep an eye on them. You will know what to do when the time comes.

Dopey · Feb 13, 2018

Presley said:
what would you do with the eggs you switch out for fakes?

Also nesting spot or not, mating or not, female birds can still lay eggs (if not mating, then the eggs won't be fertile, obviously).

If she winds up laying eggs, she will need higher calcium in her diet as egg laying (fertile or not) leeches calcium from the bones.

I let my girl sit on the eggs. They weren't fertile. They didn't smell. She eventually quit sitting on them.

You can replace them with fake. Some people boil them and then put them back. I have a super sensitive nose and they never smelled bad to me.
There are lots of ways to get her some calcium.

Anansi · Feb 14, 2018

While Maya showed some HEAVY interest in Bixby, she barely acknowledges Jolly's existence. So it's not really an issue with which I've had to contend. But that said, in the unlikely event that she did develop romantic notions for Sir Jolly, I'd probably go with switching out the eggs. And as was mentioned, I probably wouldn't really worry unless she started laying more than 3 times in a given year. That's when the possibility of calcium depletion comes into play.

Watching those videos of Bella and Dexter a few minutes ago, though, I think the issue is more or less imminent with them. She's definitely interested. And... obviously... so is he.

Violet_Diva · Feb 15, 2018

Dopey said:
I don't have an answer for you because I think it will depend.

Should I be not letting them out together? I would let them out together. They love their flock and the playing together is good for them. But that is the way I think.

Or am I just to intervene when they are attempting to be 'physical'? I wouldn't intervene. Again, it is part of playing and being in the flock. But that is the way I think.

Or do I let them mate and not worry about Bella laying eggs (she has nowhere they can go other than through the bottom of the cage grill.) It is part of nature. I wouldn't worry about the eggs unless she started laying more than 2-3 times a year. But that is the way I think.

Or should I give her a nesting spot and switch her eggs out for fakes? My first Ekkie (she died last June) didn't lay eggs as long as she didn't have her hut or a nest. She shared the cage with a male Ekkie until he became aggressive and started stressing her out. Just keep an eye on them. You will know what to do when the time comes.

Dopey said:
Presley said:

what would you do with the eggs you switch out for fakes?

Also nesting spot or not, mating or not, female birds can still lay eggs (if not mating, then the eggs won't be fertile, obviously).

If she winds up laying eggs, she will need higher calcium in her diet as egg laying (fertile or not) leeches calcium from the bones.

Click to expand...

I let my girl sit on the eggs. They weren't fertile. They didn't smell. She eventually quit sitting on them.

You can replace them with fake. Some people boil them and then put them back. I have a super sensitive nose and they never smelled bad to me.
There are lots of ways to get her some calcium.

Thanks for the consice advice!

Much appreciated!

Violet_Diva · Feb 15, 2018

Anansi said:
While Maya showed some HEAVY interest in Bixby, she barely acknowledges Jolly's existence. So it's not really an issue with which I've had to contend. But that said, in the unlikely event that she did develop romantic notions for Sir Jolly, I'd probably go with switching out the eggs. And as was mentioned, I probably wouldn't really worry unless she started laying more than 3 times in a given year. That's when the possibility of calcium depletion comes into play.

Watching those videos of Bella and Dexter a few minutes ago, though, I think the issue is more or less imminent with them. She's definitely interested. And... obviously... so is he.

Thanks for the opinion on the eggs. Though now I think about it, it will depend if she let's me take them away! She can be rather bossy with that beak!

Interesting how Maya doesn't seem interested in Jolly. Is there an age difference or maturity factor at play?

I wanted to know, do you have them both uncaged at the same time, and if so, how do they interact? Will they sit together? Do they get hostile at all if they 'invade' eachothers space? Just curious...

Anansi · Feb 15, 2018

Not much age difference at all, actually. Maya turns 5 end of this month, while Jolly turns 5 on my birthday in September! Strangely enough, I think Jolly was just too nice for her tastes. When she used to get pushy with Bixby, he would flex on her a bit and let her know he wasn't anyone's punk. Lol! (Once or twice they got into it a bit and I had to put my hand between their beaks to stop the ruckus. Thankfully, neither one was willing to bite me to get at the other.) She respected that he didn't let her get away with her nonsense, and seemed to find him irresistible as a result.

Jolly, on the other hand, is definitely more lover than fighter. On most occasions he will fly away rather than get into any kind of confrontation with her. But she likes someone who will stand up to her. Or, at least, so it seems to me. Maybe I'm reading it wrong and she just has a thing for the bigger, burlier red-sided ekkies? Lol!

Yes, I do usually have them out at the same time. But each one has their own tree stand. Jolly doesn't care if she's on his, but for Maya it depends on her mood at the time. Sometimes she'll be okay with him being on her tree, though she barely even acknowledges his existence. Other times, however, she'll run at him like a raging bull the instant he touches down on one of her branches. This is never a worry, though, as he can fly away long before she gets within biting distance.

It's funny, but their dynamic more closely resembles that of a big sister to a younger brother than anything even remotely romantic.

Funniest instance of hormonal behavior between them? One day Jolly made a play for my wife, which was obviously, though ever so politely, refused. So then he decided to try his luck with me (such a... garden utensil he is!) to similar results. Wouldn't you know it, that fool then made a play for Maya?!? Hahaha! Oh, the look on her face was priceless. You could almost hear the words in her rather indignant shout: "I KNOW you did not just play yourself picking me as your third choice! Do you know who I am???"

Jolly caught the hint right quick! Hahaha! High comedy!

Violet_Diva · Feb 15, 2018

Anansi said:
Not much age difference at all, actually. Maya turns 5 end of this month, while Jolly turns 5 on my birthday in September! Strangely enough, I think Jolly was just too nice for her tastes. When she used to get pushy with Bixby, he would flex on her a bit and let her know he wasn't anyone's punk. Lol! (Once or twice they got into it a bit and I had to put my hand between their beaks to stop the ruckus. Thankfully, neither one was willing to bite me to get at the other.) She respected that he didn't let her get away with her nonsense, and seemed to find him irresistible as a result.

Jolly, on the other hand, is definitely more lover than fighter. On most occasions he will fly away rather than get into any kind of confrontation with her. But she likes someone who will stand up to her. Or, at least, so it seems to me. Maybe I'm reading it wrong and she just has a thing for the bigger, burlier red-sided ekkies? Lol!

Yes, I do usually have them out at the same time. But each one has their own tree stand. Jolly doesn't care if she's on his, but for Maya it depends on her mood at the time. Sometimes she'll be okay with him being on her tree, though she barely even acknowledges his existence. Other times, however, she'll run at him like a raging bull the instant he touches down on one of her branches. This is never a worry, though, as he can fly away long before she gets within biting distance.

It's funny, but their dynamic more closely resembles that of a big sister to a younger brother than anything even remotely romantic.

Funniest instance of hormonal behavior between them? One day Jolly made a play for my wife, which was obviously, though ever so politely, refused. So then he decided to try his luck with me (such a... garden utensil he is!) to similar results. Wouldn't you know it, that fool then made a play for Maya?!? Hahaha! Oh, the look on her face was priceless. You could almost hear the words in her rather indignant shout: "I KNOW you did not just play yourself picking me as your third choice! Do you know who I am???"

Jolly caught the hint right quick! Hahaha! High comedy!

Hahaha - Sounds like Maya can hold her own. I wish I could've seen that look on her face! They're so expressive aren't they!? I always saw Bella and Dexter more like a brother / sister relationship until very recently. I just thought they'd always have (at best) a tolerance for one another and that would be it. On a few occasions (like you) I had to step in, and even received the occasional bite from doing so! But it would seem love has blossomed!

Gotta give credit to Jolly's persistence!

Anansi · Feb 15, 2018

Violet_Diva said:
...Gotta give credit to Jolly's persistence!

Ha! He's that dude at the party making his way around and hitting on everything that moves! Lol!

What's The Best Strategy To Manage Males And Females Without Breeding?

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