WeeKate
02-04-2008, 12:50 PM
I recently ‘adopted’ a lovebird while its owner is in the hospital. I grew up with budgies so I have some bird experience. But lovebirds are definitely a bird of a different feather!
I have a few questions. BeeBee is a female peach-faced, approx 5 years of age. Her usual family initially had a good bonding, but once she was close to a year old she had become a BIG biter and unpredictable. Various attempts to modify her behaviour were apparently tried, but it seems to me the family eventually gave up on her. As a result she was left alone in the cage most of the time. I’m a sucker for all living things...so, I've outfitted her cage with lots of new store bought toys; I try to put in a new safe homemade toy each day; I’ve introduced lots of fresh fruit and veggies some of which she is slowly accepting; I make her birdie bread which she loves!; I’ve added a cuttle bone and I let her out of the cage for about one hour each day while I clean the cage, this is when she takes her little shower in the kitchen sink. I can’t let her out longer due to a very jealous dog and cat which are put into other rooms while she’s out.
My questions:
1. She has started to go into the mating stance in her cage. Is this usual? What should I do about it? She is not trying to make any nests, and I understand from online research that I should try to prevent her from doing so. But she seems so INSISTENT at these times when she wants to be mated (which are now several times a day.)
2. I am not able to keep this little bird due to other pets and obligations. And the family is less than enthusiastic about taking her back when the time comes. I’d be sad to see Beebee go back to a home where she receives little stimulation and attention. Any suggestions on how I might find a new home for her where she would get the attention she deserves? Thanks.
I have a few questions. BeeBee is a female peach-faced, approx 5 years of age. Her usual family initially had a good bonding, but once she was close to a year old she had become a BIG biter and unpredictable. Various attempts to modify her behaviour were apparently tried, but it seems to me the family eventually gave up on her. As a result she was left alone in the cage most of the time. I’m a sucker for all living things...so, I've outfitted her cage with lots of new store bought toys; I try to put in a new safe homemade toy each day; I’ve introduced lots of fresh fruit and veggies some of which she is slowly accepting; I make her birdie bread which she loves!; I’ve added a cuttle bone and I let her out of the cage for about one hour each day while I clean the cage, this is when she takes her little shower in the kitchen sink. I can’t let her out longer due to a very jealous dog and cat which are put into other rooms while she’s out.
My questions:
1. She has started to go into the mating stance in her cage. Is this usual? What should I do about it? She is not trying to make any nests, and I understand from online research that I should try to prevent her from doing so. But she seems so INSISTENT at these times when she wants to be mated (which are now several times a day.)
2. I am not able to keep this little bird due to other pets and obligations. And the family is less than enthusiastic about taking her back when the time comes. I’d be sad to see Beebee go back to a home where she receives little stimulation and attention. Any suggestions on how I might find a new home for her where she would get the attention she deserves? Thanks.