could i switch partners

[littleT]

I have 4 ddyh parrots.bought 2 as a pair--all sexed 2 of each----I have had these 4 for 18 months or so---feed--vegtables from my garden as well as apple--orange---bread--and chicken bones.1 females wants to mate<I have a video setup to watch>but male does nothing--he stays in box but nothing else.could or should I change males? thanks

 

[littleT]

also I know its early yet but they did nothing last spring or summer---the one non pair I guess you would call them do sit together but no attempt to mate.they are housed inside-- inside in 4x4x6 foot cages---4 foot off floor no heat small light

 

[henpecked]

Yes you could "try" switching mates, but i doubt that will fix your issues. I know a little about breeding DYHs and they are one of the more difficult of the amazons to breed. I have tons of questions and many other things to try before you switch mates. Have you successfully bred other amazons? I mean , do you know what your doing? Typically you should not have DYHs within eyesight of other zons , especially other DYHs or any of the Yellow Front subspecies. You might get away with OWAs,BFAs, etc but not other related subspecies. I quess one of the biggest question is how old are they, how long they been together? WOW, there's so many things that matter when breeding DYHs. Don't be too quick to change things up yet. They take time. How about some more history if you really want help.

 

[littleT]

I have reared many birds over the years--no ddyhs-but some other amazons----a pair of blue fronts--a pair of senigals African greys and many more.20 yrs or so in breeding.have done tons of reading.in the process of building 3 3x3x10 foot flight now for outside pens.will be 4 foot off ground with thin plywood between cages to block view.tin roof. plan to keeps the amazons outside all spring till fall---I raised orange wing babies on my front porch last year.sold babies and parents with cage and nest to finance the ddyhs---I did put something between pairs last year didn't help

 

[littleT]

I have papers on birds-----1 male is 9 yrs old the other is 11-----1 girl is 5 and other is 8 I believ e----I saw 1 pair trying to mate last year 1 time ---she grooms him and he feeds her alittle sometimes<or did last spring>he goes in box all the time---she squats an makes those noises for sex he pays her no mind when she does---male in other cage seems to be checking her out!!!---the reason for my question

 

[henpecked]

yeah your hens still sound a bit young. I think you might be messing up with changing their living situation during the winter months.My DYHs (and some others) don't like change. They won't lay if i move their cages or change major things in their surroundings. It doesn't bother the Pans or OWAs but some of the napes and for sure the DYHs will quit for a season or two if things change too much; ie moving them to a new location. Best case, i put 4=5 yr olds together and they may not be successful until 3-4 seasons. DYHs are about the hardest to breed IMO. I know of several breeders who don't even try and they have hundreds of zons. I'd give it another year without changing things and see what happens. Don't stress over infertile eggs, it takes them awhile to get it right. Is there a chance your males might have too long/sharp nails?? had that issue too, although handling them will mess up a season also. If you where to try switching mates,, i'd wait till summer and put all of them together in a large flight, see who wants to pair up with whom. Good luck, you can always PM me if needed i'll get you a # or email address.

 

[littleT]

thanks for imput---I have another problem---my male bluefront is chasing the hen bad!!!!should I separate them for a few days?

 

[henpecked]

Chasing? as in trying to hurt her? attacking her?

 

[littleT]

at times they sit together then he turns on her and she rolls on her back on bottom of cage to keep him off her and then she sneaks around bottom of cage and watches him

 

[henpecked]

Because i don't know any history on your pairs,,, I would assume it's displaced aggression during the breeding season (pre-breeding season) because of the close cage placement. Much as with your problems with the DYHs not breeding. The BFA male has an aggressive instinct because the choice nest cavities in wild flocks go to the healthiest,strongest pairs. Your male feels like the surround birds are too close and because he can't drive them away he's taking it out on the hen. This is common. Do you have visual barriers in place?

 

[littleT]

yes I have a sheet between cages----I figured that was it----the ddyhs are in and out of the box together a lot in the last few days---I have the blue front birds on a closed circuit tv to watch all day--my wife or myself/ if they get too rough.they can be seen on veetletv.com--down to entertainment then down to LittleTs Parrots.i use this so I can see no mater where I am.i broadcast 24/7

 

[henpecked]

Most of my problems in cases like yours, was birds too close. I haven;t had good luck with things like sheets and curtain, is use rolls of sheet metal ( like they use for trailer underpinning ) i wire sheets of it to the side of the flight and it seems to help. I also think that subspecies of YFA should never be next to each other . I usually put a OWA or RLA,etc in between if possible. it sounds like you have young birds, and thats a good thing. Once they are successful don't change a thing,LOL. Young birds adapt well and thats the way to go. Have your birds get used to your environment instead of trying to find out what older pairs need. Like it is with all amazons ,they just take a little time.

 

[littleT]

my intentions are to build a cage for each pair---9 foot by 6 foot by 3 foot--with handles on ends to pick up and carry--wire on all sides - nestbox on outside----off floor 2 foot.with plywood between each like bathroom stalls.wire and wood are ready but don't want to bother them at present.they are housed in 3x4x4 foot cages now.was hoping to build outside and hang there cage beside the new one and let them enter when ready.the ddyhs are trying to feed each other and sitin in box together---wire im using will be 1x2 inch heavy guage--I will need to add a place to feed without opening door--they try to bite me now!

 

[henpecked]

Yeah i've used a flat tray for food and cut a narrow opening to slide the tray in and out without having to go into the cage , that and automatic watering "nipples". I put a short "roof " over that end to keep the rain off. The shallow dish also helps on food waste because they don't "dig" though the different food. Of course keeping a daily routine helps.

 

[littleT]

when should I wait to put in large cages---I figured june--after breeding season.will setup these cages outside until November.does this sound proper for these birds.do you keep your parrots outside yearly?is a 3x6x9 foot a good size flight per pair a proper size.----they have not been in natural sunlight for 2 years.thanks for all imput.