Can male birds be castrated?

[Mare Miller]

This guy is driving me nuts!! He's got a one track mind and is being horrible right now! He stalks me when outside and if given the chance, will fly right to my shoulder and start humping me, ewww, come on!, Amigo, believe me I'm not your type!

He's never been this bad before. Do you think that he's just now really coming to maturity? Or maybe, I'm just getting better looking!

When I go in the house he comes to the window and starts calling to me. I think I'll call my vet tomorrow to see if she has some kind of killjoy pill that will tame this savage beast!

 

[Spiritbird]

I know the vets can and do give females hormone injections for too many eggs being layed. Try keeping him in his cage longer.

 

[MikeyTN]

He's reached his sexual maturity.....lol.....Java reached his as well, part of the reason I have not take him out too much lately, he's acting all crazy and wants to kill anyone with me. He's fine with me alone....

 

[Mare Miller]

I know the vets can and do give females hormone injections for too many eggs being layed. Try keeping him in his cage longer.

hi Spiritbird, do you mean more hours of darkness? He's getting 12 hours a night right now.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, I know females can get hormone shots as Merlin has been getting them. I'm not sure on males. And the second one she got doesn't seem to have worked as she is still regurgitating for me and building nests.

But, they really can't be spayed or neutered like mammals can. I think for one, anesthesia is really iffy with birds.

 

[Spiritbird]

No not more hours of dark, I meant just give him less freedom when he is in the mood so he does not act out so much with you. He may pick a toy in the cage as a mate but that should not be an issue. As they say: This too will pass No pun intended

Here is some interesting reading on the subject http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/hormones.php

 

[Mayden]

They can be castrated, but it has little to no effect on the mating behaviour, so pointless really. They only do it for population control/health reasons.

 

[roxynoodle]

They can be castrated, but it has little to no effect on the mating behaviour, so pointless really. They only do it for population control/health reasons.

Physically or chemically? I am wondering with chemical castration if it just makes them sterile, but leave their hormones intact?

 

[Mayden]

They can be castrated, but it has little to no effect on the mating behaviour, so pointless really. They only do it for population control/health reasons.

Physically or chemically? I am wondering with chemical castration if it just makes them sterile, but leave their hormones intact?

Physically, theres different types and vary on how invasive they are and stuff. It's risky stuff though, so not many vets will do it. It's mainly for things like testicular cancer type thing. Most will outright refuse since the behaviour is caused by hormones, but just kinda 'learnt' anyway, so it doesn't change even after castration.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, that's interesting. I know the way birds often don't do well with anesthesia is a top reason it's not feasible. Otherwise, I didn't know much about it other than that it's not generally done.

Cancer though, what else can you do? Either you take your chance with surgery or you know the animal will die from the cancer.

According to my vet there is only one guy in the US she would trust to anesthetize Merlin and do her cataracts. He is in Tennessee. I haven't actually checked into the cost yet. Getting to TN isn't going to be fun either because I've had bad experiences with pet sitters. And I can't take all the birds with me because Nandays aren't allowed in that state!!

 

[mtdoramike]

I sure HOPE NOT, I wouldn't want it done to me. If it's that bad you have to consider such drastic measures, FIND HIM A NEW HOME!

 

[Mare Miller]

No not more hours of dark, I meant just give him less freedom when he is in the mood so he does not act out so much with you. He may pick a toy in the cage as a mate but that should not be an issue. As they say: This too will pass No pun intended

Here is some interesting reading on the subject Coping With Hormones

Thanks Spiritbird, I actually did end up putting him away for awhile, it cooled him off. I would never really castrate my bird, he just gets so annoying I like to think about it! And good read, thanks again.

 

[Mare Miller]

I sure HOPE NOT, I wouldn't want it done to me. If it's that bad you have to consider such drastic measures, FIND HIM A NEW HOME!

Oooo...sorry, sounds like I hit a nerve! Amigo's cajones are what make him the amazing, awesome bird that he is. He is the bravest animal I have ever met. Don't worry mtdoramike, he will remain intact as long as he is with me.

 

[gig]

Ok, that's interesting. I know the way birds often don't do well with anesthesia is a top reason it's not feasible. Otherwise, I didn't know much about it other than that it's not generally done.

Cancer though, what else can you do? Either you take your chance with surgery or you know the animal will die from the cancer.

According to my vet there is only one guy in the US she would trust to anesthetize Merlin and do her cataracts. He is in Tennessee. I haven't actually checked into the cost yet. Getting to TN isn't going to be fun either because I've had bad experiences with pet sitters. And I can't take all the birds with me because Nandays aren't allowed in that state!![/QUOTE
Are Merlin's cataracts causing bad problems for her? I don't think I'd risk surgery on a bird for cataracts. They probably just remove the lens that's effected - (I can't imagine they put a tiny implant in!) - which means she'd have pretty poor vision with the cataract removed. It would let light in - but possibly not much more than that. Apparently, birds have well developed maculas - the part of the eye responsible for straight ahead vision and acuity or ability to distinguish detail. They must really rely on visual cues. IMO poor vision may almost be as bad as no vision to a bird, or even confuse her more(?):11:.

 

[MikeyTN]

IF castrating them would cut the hormone symptoms I would go for it myself!!!! The reason behind it is some of the people on here do not understand how dangerous they can really be during this period!!!! I've got scars all over my hands because of hormones. For those that disagree should try to confront a hormonal macaw or a U2. Then you'll see how fast you get rip to shreds. Would I ever do it to put them under anesthesia, absolutely not since it compromise the bird's life so it's a tough decision. I don't even take my birds to the vet that use anesthesia to cut toe nails. It's a frustrating time for the owners to deal with that most on here do not understand unless you've dealt with one, especially a big one!

For the longest time I didn't want to do that to my two boy dogs, but I got them done anyways because they've become way too aggressive with one another and they were marking everywhere on everything. I was throwing stuffs away from them marking on them or spraying neutralizers on my couch. They were always fighting, now having them done, no more fights! No more marking! It's been more peaceful with the dogs....

 

[HalfInsane]

Hmm, I knew it was extremely risky to 'fix' a bird; I had no idea it didn't even really work.

I might get balked at for saying this, and as I said I know it isn't really an option, but if it were feasible to have birds fixed, I wouldn't be against it. Not just because it is frustrating for the owners, but imagine the bird's frustration! They're teaming with hormones, and every cell of their being is telling them to go find a mate, and all they have are us humans. Sure their behaviour is normal, but we're putting them in an unnatural environment where they can never act on their urges to mate, why would it be wrong (if it were possible) to illiminate that urge?

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, that's interesting. I know the way birds often don't do well with anesthesia is a top reason it's not feasible. Otherwise, I didn't know much about it other than that it's not generally done.

Cancer though, what else can you do? Either you take your chance with surgery or you know the animal will die from the cancer.

According to my vet there is only one guy in the US she would trust to anesthetize Merlin and do her cataracts. He is in Tennessee. I haven't actually checked into the cost yet. Getting to TN isn't going to be fun either because I've had bad experiences with pet sitters. And I can't take all the birds with me because Nandays aren't allowed in that state!![/QUOTE
Are Merlin's cataracts causing bad problems for her? I don't think I'd risk surgery on a bird for cataracts. They probably just remove the lens that's effected - (I can't imagine they put a tiny implant in!) - which means she'd have pretty poor vision with the cataract removed. It would let light in - but possibly not much more than that. Apparently, birds have well developed maculas - the part of the eye responsible for straight ahead vision and acuity or ability to distinguish detail. They must really rely on visual cues. IMO poor vision may almost be as bad as no vision to a bird, or even confuse her more(?):11:.

This doctor can replace lenses. I guess he is the only one doing it all the time on eagles.

She is nearly blind. She does quite well though, and it's not likely I'm going to try to correct it. I just have to accomodate her in certain ways. I also have to watch her for trying to step off things into thin air to try to get to me!

Yes, if it were feasible to fix birds, I would. My birds aren't ever going to get to have mates and breed. Wouldn't it be nicer to the bird not to have that drive at all instead of being frustrated about it? That is how I see my cats and dogs and livestock that can be spayed/neutered. My male horse is gelded, and my cat is spayed. The female horses would be spayed as well if it didn't require major surgery. My male goats and pigs were neutered as well.

 

[KatherineI]

Roxy - where in TN is this Vet? I have all my In-Laws in Clarksville and my husbands Aunt has 2 birds; one being a wild caught (looooong story but beautiful) Amazon that only she can handle. I'm just asking because, if you ever decide to do it, she could be of some assistance.

 

[roxynoodle]

Roxy - where in TN is this Vet? I have all my In-Laws in Clarksville and my husbands Aubt has 2 birds; one being a wild caught (looooong story but beautiful) Amazon that only she can handle. I'm just asking because, if you ever decide to do it, she could be of some assistance.

I'm not certain, but he might be at the University of Tennessee as my vet used to be a researcher there. She emailed me the names, which I passed onto another member here who has a bird with cataracts. I haven't made any decisions myself. First, financially I'm not ready as I've spent almost $2k already on her vet bills. Secondly, I'm not sure I even want to do it. She manages quite well really, and I might not want to subject her to unnecessary surgery. I do know several people in TN I might be able to stay with. It would be nice if I could bring all the birds and cat with me, if possible and only need a pet sitter for the horses. The horses have each other, and won't miss me as much if I'm gone, like the others will.

And yes, it is possible I could stay with someone from here who understands that birds make noise and messes and wouldn't mind them in their home. I do have a pickup and could bring all their cages with me. And TN isn't very far to travel should I decide to do this.

 

[Mare Miller]

Hmm, I knew it was extremely risky to 'fix' a bird; I had no idea it didn't even really work.

I might get balked at for saying this, and as I said I know it isn't really an option, but if it were feasible to have birds fixed, I wouldn't be against it. Not just because it is frustrating for the owners, but imagine the bird's frustration! They're teaming with hormones, and every cell of their being is telling them to go find a mate, and all they have are us humans. Sure their behaviour is normal, but we're putting them in an unnatural environment where they can never act on their urges to mate, why would it be wrong (if it were possible) to illiminate that urge?

You are so right, HalfInsane. I feel for my bird, it's quite annoying at times for me, but to be honest...Amigo does need some "BIG ONES" living out in the wild like he does most of the time. Castration can be a sensitive subject for a lot of men. We had a vet to come out to do a gelding, several years ago, I was at work but my husband was here for the vet, she was a woman horse doctor. After the castration, she threw the testicles to the dogs and my husband was horrified!! He said the least they deserved was a descent burial, he never got over that one.