Mating behavior help

[Behxo]

My GCC Bowie is a 1 1/2 year old female. I'm here to ask for some advice because I'm a little at my wits end after this going on for a few months and it just seems to be getting worse. She is in full blown mating behavior, anything and everything she can press herself against she will. I try to discourage it by at first removing any toys she tries to mate with, and even when most toys had to be taken out, she then started pressing herself up against the cage while inside. I would take her out to try and distract her, but she will then rush to go to the bottom of her cage outside of it and continue doing so (I've had to block the bottom of her cage off with cardboard so that she no longer had access to going under it), or up against any piece of furniture or small crevice she will fit into. I keep my eye on her 24/7. I try to not be too handsy with her either because she tries to press against my hands or climb inside my hoodie sleeve and get the feeling of pressure on her back that way.

She currently eats mostly Zupreem pellets mixed with seeds, about a 80/20 ratio but for the most part i try to stuff her seeds into toys so she will have to work for it. I mostly give her greens right now and some fruit but not a lot of fruit because I guess mushy can also set off her mating behavior which is also why I havent been giving her a lot of sweet potato which is also mushy when cooked but I could be wrong. It's a bit upsetting because she is getting stress bars on her feathers, she is a VERY determined bird and its basically all day, I will hear her screeching and pressing her body against her cage at 6:30am and will do what she can until she goes to bed at 7pm. I'm feeling helpless and I don't want her to be stressed out because she can't mate and I really don't want to encourage the behavior and just let her. I know vets can give a hormonal shot but I'd rather that be a last resort, is there anything else that I can do?

 

[itzjbean]

I am sorry to hear you are having trouble managing your conure at this hormonal time for her. Just know that parrots have urges, instincts, and they can be SO strong that they will do anything to accomplish this. You are at least lucky she is not acting aggressive towards you, as many members here have to deal with angry hormonal parrots for a few months during this time. Some get so aggressive during this time of year that they aren't even let out of their cages (for safety of both human and bird) and basically just ride it out.

There may not be a way around this, but you can certainly try things to discourage her. Longer periods of darkness may help trick her mind into thinking breeding season is over. Cutting back on the sugary, energy-filled foods (fruit and carbs like sweet potato) may also help keep her energy level from being too high. Try offering some more vegetables -- broccoli, leafy greens, peppers, carrots, peas -- may keep her busy for longer eating.

 

[Behxo]

Do you have an idea of how long this behavior will continue for? I'm just getting worried because of the stress bars on her feathers now because of it :[ I will try to up her vegetable intake like you suggested and maybe put her to bed at 6pm instead

 

[Sunnyclover]

The feathers could also just have gotten damaged with all the rubbing and pressing on different items. Some birds get marks on the feathers if the cage is too small and rubbing on something. I know her cage not too small but the same idea.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am unsure of the duration for conures, but when a young parrot hits puberty, the hormonal behaviors can last for an extended period of time until they settle into an annual cycle of a few weeks every year of the hormonal behaviors.

Typical 'home remedies' for it I didn't see you mention would lowering sugar foods (fruit or fruit flavored pellets) and upping intake of veggies and other low sugar foods, reducing fat/protein in the diet and keeping on a strict 12 hours awake, 12 hours asleep schedule.

Also, you are not alone! Most parrot owners go through this when their bird hits puberty and it can be very very frustrating! Hang in there!

 

[jenphilly]

have to agree with some of the suggestions made... reducing sugar is one factor, but also eliminate seed and nuts, and if you feed any type of warm foods, eliminate them for now. Those types of food just trigger the 'hey it's spring, time for babies'... So you want to try to turn off that switch, or at least down.

The sleep schedule mentioned is important, but not just the hours for 'sleep', but sleep being defined as dark and quiet. Where is her cage located? Can she be in a room that you can shut the down and put up room darkening curtains, so you can truly create a feeling of fall or winter - long dark nights. 12 hours is minimum, even 14 hours would not be a bad thing for now.

You want to up her fresh veggies - no fruits, just veggies. If you can switch pellets, that would be a wonderful thing, I personally am not a fan of Zupreem with the sugar and dyes, but if that is all she will accept to eat for pellets, understand that.. but give some other pellets a try such as Roudybush California, Caitec Baked Bites or if Zupreem is convenient, try the Zupreem Natural.

Another trick I found works wonders when my bare eye girl gets nesty is to totally change up her cage, literally take everything out and change perches, new toys and absolutely nothing that could be used or seen as nest (toy box, baskets, etc).

And don't be afraid to throw a blanket over the cage if the room is not dark enough, the dark and quiet really can make a huge difference with hormonal birds.

Good luck and keep posting for how things are going!