Coconut shell toy

Pertalote · Nov 4, 2018

My young female Lovebird has a toy that consists of a hollowed-out coconut shell with a ladder attached. She REALLY likes it. When I first put it in her cage she immediately went into the shell. I think she sleeps in there sometimes.
What I want to know is - is that bad? Does she think it's a nest? It did not occur to me that she might think that.

noodles123 · Nov 4, 2018

LOL...I'm sorry (because it is always exciting when a bird really like something)...but most likely, yes...anything that is cave-like can encourage hormonal/nesting behaviors (which you don't want).

EllenD · Nov 4, 2018

Yes, it's quite possible...Though, in the case of the Coconut Shell toys I would actually wait and see if she starts exhibiting any hormonal behaviors, such as "nesting" behaviors, becoming "broody", and of course egg-laying, because I have seen many parrots both male and female who have had these toys with not issue. Granted, I have one for my male Green Cheek Conure, but it's used as his "treat" bowl, and he has never actually gotten inside of it, he simply knows that it's his treat-bowl and that he eats his treats out of it. So it may be alright, but it may not be if your LoveBird has already gotten inside of it and is actually spending time laying/sitting inside of it. If that's the case, then I would remove it, because you do not want to encourage egg-laying behavior, as it can be harmful to her health.

Pertalote · Nov 7, 2018

Aside from waste of nutrients, how is egg-laying harmful to a bird's health? I know I don't want her to do it, but just curious.

noodles123 · Nov 7, 2018

Egg-binding is a very dangerous and fairly common situation in which the egg gets basically stuck and forms incorrectly. It can kill a bird or lead to oter expensive surgeries etc. Cloacal prolapse is another nasty possibility.
here is a link on egg-binding:

https://www.petmd.com/bird/conditions/reproductive/c_bd_egg_binding
Furthermore, a bird's behavior may become increasingly neurotic (feather plucking etc) or even aggressive if sexual hormones are high.

Then there is the fact that if your bird survives egg laying, you have to deal with an infertile egg that the bird will want to sit on etc. They are sensitive about the eggs they lay and many obsess over them (even if infertile).

Coconut shell toy

Pertalote

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noodles123

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EllenD

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Pertalote

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Fun in the aviary with Penelope & Clementine

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