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Darryl
04-05-2013, 04:59 PM
She used to nip the male from time to time , then it became biting out his feathers on his neck and back but now she will bite and hold on to his foot, usually until he breaks free and draws blood. The back of neck is largely bare of feathers, and the other day I came home and he had a big bite mark with a fairly bad cut on the exposed skin. The worst one was she stripped skin clean off his foot, and had it hanging from her mouth and she ate it. I fear she might maim or kill him. Haven't got room for another cage.

The eggs I assume are sterile cos it has been over 5 weeks since she had them. Can't get close to the eggs as she rarely leaves them and will attack me. I think it is time to take the nest box with the eggs away.

The male doesn't help himself as he will go in the box time after time even with what she is doing. He also waits for a moment until she comes out to eat and swoops in like a flash to get to sit on the nest, he must be annoying to her.

Is this normal behavior for breeding female? She has always been the nasty one, the male is really friendly and calm, she has always tried to bite my hand off only worse now

I am put off now with breeding. Any advice please would be grateful. Is this normal?
thebubbleking
04-05-2013, 05:33 PM
It sounds to me like you have two hens.
Two females will act and mate like a male female pair.
I would seperate them imidiately as attacks to the face and neck idicate they are trying to hurt and or kill not just fend off.
Darryl
04-05-2013, 05:59 PM
He is mating like a male would, and he isn't interested in collecting twigs.
michael
04-05-2013, 10:11 PM
He is mating like a male would, and he isn't interested in collecting twigs.

Makes no difference whether he's acting like a male or female. Given the type of behavior you've described, these two need to be separated ASAP. I also agree with Jeremiah, in that despite their behavior, you may very well have two hens. .. Do note, that in certain situations, lovebirds are known to mimmick the behavior of the opposite sex.