Son picking on Dad - I need HELP!

[susancald]

Hi- I am knew posting here, but have been reading the posts for a while. A lot of good information from you all.

Here is my dilemma. I have 2 black masted lovebirds, father (about 6 or 7 yrs old I think) and his son (about 2 years old). The mother died after the son was raised to flight age. Ozzie and Harriett, with son Peepers. Dad and Son have always lived in my office- I "shoo" them into the cage in the evening, but generally they out all day, with toys and perches to engage them, and I work from home so I am in there with them A LOT of the time.

Recently Peepers has been picking on his Dad. At first I thought dad was molting, but after keeping an eye on them, it's appears to be Peepers plucking dad's feathers out. I am getting ready to bring them to the vet, and I am thinking of getting their wings clipped- mainly to handle them better in the new cage I am building (one with a removable center partition) so I can keep them somewhat separated most times as I get the plucking attack issue figured out. Also I would like to see if I can train them. They let me get within inches of them, but have never stepped up or anything. After the plucking attacks stop, I will probably allow them to fly again.

My questions -
1. Clipping wings: at this stage of their life, do you think they would adjust to the clipped wings OK? I have to have some control over them as I work on the dad attacks. (I plan on leaving enough for enough flight to get to their play areas)

2. If they have clipped wings do you think I have a chance of taming them somewhat at their ages?

3. Do you think the juvenile plucking attacks towards Dad will stop eventually? Has anyone had this problem? i have a "happy hut" that Peepers thinks is his girlfriend- can this be causing some of this behavior? Kicking up his testosterone too much? I took it away for a while, but it doesn't seem to help. Dad is getting weary from running from his son.

I APPRECIATE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS!!
Susan

[linda040899]

Hi Susan,
When you say Peepers is picking on dad, are they aggressive attacks or is it just removed feathering around the facial area? I have a father/son combination (Red and Sierra) and there are times when Sierra (son) is a bit sparse on the facial feathering. Dad just overpreens a bit but there's no aggression between them. Males are generally happy campers together and if they get along well with no injuries other than the feather issue, I don't think I would be too concerned at this point. I had to separate a father/son because son was aggressively chasing dad to keep him away from mom but there's no female involved here so it may just be that keeping them together is OK.

Flight feather clipping is a very personal choice and should you decide to do it, make sure your vet clips both sides alike. You would be surprised at how many professionals will only clip one wing and that affects a parrot's balance. Clipping 4-5 will slow them down a bit but if dad has always been flghted, he may not take this too well. Can you tame them at this age? Patience, love and kindness will win the trust of even horribly abused parrots. It may take some time but sounds like you have what's needed. :)

[susancald]

Linda- I so appreciate your time and thoughts on my dilemma. My boys have been very happy up to now - but Peepers is chasing Ozzie and as I have noticed, he will take aim and pluck/grab feathers from his neck, chest and lower chest (abdomen) to the point where I saw what could have been a hint of blood. Up to now- they have always been good together, treating each other as father/son or mated pair (some confusion there). I think it's the juvenile trying to assert himself as king pin, and as I said he is very attached to his Happy Hut. I feel terrible when I take it away, and so far it doesn't seem to help, so I put it back. I thought it may help with some of what the kid is going through. I am just trying to split up their free time outside the cage giving dad some alone time- which he seems to appreciate. I also want to get as much info before I go to the Vet on Thursday - to clip or not to clip. They have never been clipped before.

Thank you so much!
Susan

[kimsbirds]

If I can ask, are you 100% sure 'son' is actually male?

[linda040899]

If I can ask, are you 100% sure 'son' is actually male?
This is a distinct possibility! Males tend to be docile unless they are competing for something. My father/son didn't get along in the same cage because the son liked his mother a bit too much. I removed him and paired him up with a different hen. Now both are happy campers. If you've not DNA sexed the son, you may want to make sure he's really a he. A female could get aggressive if the male doesn't like her or if he doesn't/can't perform to her satisfaction.