Sexual Maturity

[cfulhage]

I know the average maturity age for greys in captivity is somewhere around 3-6 years. I've spoken to people who's greys have started behavioral traits/issues that have been attributed to hormones by others; greys who are younger than 3. For those of you who have had greys from a young age and through maturity, when did you notice a major change? Or did you notice a change at all?

Ollie, a DNAd female, turned 3 in May and she's still as sweet as ever. I haven't noticed any changes in her demeaner that can't be be due to increased confidence due to improved flight skills. I'm dreading any behavioral changes, but am hoping that perhaps it doesn't affect all birds, or all birds as severely? Any input is greatly appreciated!

[GreyGoose]

Goose is only a year and a half and he regurjates and he has done his mating dance a couple of times but he is not DNA'd and I dont think I will get him I just thought he acted like a boy and still does so I say he is.

[Lisa B]

hey you! nice to see ya and my miss Oliana.
Emma is still sweet as ever! she is going to be 6.
havent seen any changes in her at all.
I think Ollie will be fine. not sure you will see much besides some plucking(which emma is now doing, as well as another mature grey, Bela is doing on here) so that I would prepair myself for. (I hope I am wrong)

but you have raised her well. she is a confident, well rounded girl, and I dont think you will see the problems others might.

[DynamitePsycho]

My parent's TAG will pluck in preparation for nesting. For years we thought she was a mutilator, because once to twice a year she'd be completely bare-breasted. When she turned 18, she surprised us with eggs in the cage after mum put a "house" (a beer box or shoe box...can't remember) and that was the cue for her. Now, I'll let you know for all 18 years we thought she was a he. Right before she laid she had no feathers. She laid a second time and displayed the same behavior. So...the morale of the story...this could potentially happen. It's been six years since the eggs and Mum's stopped putting houses in her cage, now it's more pieces of cardboard to chew on and Sabs is a fully feathered friend. :o)

[Akasha]

I've had my TAG since he hatched, he'll be two at the end of this month. I started noticing a kind of rebelliousness a few months ago which I attribute to the terrible two's stage of development. Like, he's more apt to throw a fit if he doesn't want to go back to his cage, he has moments when he bites when he doesn't want to step up- stuff like this. I think he's trying to assert his independence more like a teenager would do. I haven't noticed any sexual behavior except he occasionally will feed a favorite toy but not for more than a few minutes. He took longer to wean than most though and I feel like he may be a little slower to mature (he was the only chick in the clutch and I think this may have had something to do with it). Also, I say "he" but haven't had that confirmed by DNA, I just always called him a he because it was easier to just pick a sex and go with it. Lately though, I think my TAG may be a female, because when I compare it to the parent birds it looks just like my female.