Molting...or plucker in the making?

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by Vega

Could it be horomonal?? I've noticed that she's found a little "cubby hole" for herself. I have a small shoe rack that she's been hiding under. She defends this area to no end, but once she's out from under it she's ok again. I've been stopping her from getting under there as much as possible.

It is ABSOLUTELY hormonal. I'd bet the farm on that one.

Do NOT allow her onto the floor. Every time she comes down from her perch, return her to the perch or her cage.

Buy her some new perches and toys (the interactive "game" type, not kabobs or pinatas) and rearrange everything in the cage. Put the perches in different locations in the cage.

Move the cage to another place in the room or even to another room.

Get rid of the shoe rack for the time being.

Put her to bed earlier and wake her up later.

I remember reading somewhere that it is a good idea to reduce their fat intake (seeds, nuts, etc.), though I can't remember where I saw that.

Do not play with her beak, pet her on the back, or anywhere near her vent.

You can keep her busy during the day by providing foraging activities for her. Rather than providing a bowl of dry mix all day long in the cage, you can hide bits of food around the cage wrapped in tiny pieces of wax paper. It will keep her busy and provide exercise. You also could feed her whole foods like carrots, peeled cucumbers, or a giant hung of pomegranate which will keep her busy and happy.

When she is with you, keep her mind on something other than making ekkie babies. Teach her a trick, have her do ladders, get her wings flapping, etc. Our natural instinct is to snuggle with them but that is what you want to avoid here.

[Mike B]

I have a question. Why try and supress the hormonal urges?

Mike

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by Mike B

I have a question. Why try and supress the hormonal urges?

Mike

If you don't plan on breeding... why would you want to deal with chronic egg laying, a cage-aggressive hen, plucking and possible egg binding?

ekkies are INFAMOUS for being obnoxious and problematic when hormonal.

[leighrivera161]

Originally Posted by Mike B

I have a question. Why try and supress the hormonal urges?

Mike

Only a man would ask that jeeezzz..... j/k

[Vega]

She didn't do too bad today. There's about 5 small (not wing type) feathers on the cage floor--all shredded to pieces. While she's still active and moving around, when she rests I notice that she fluffs up more than she used to. I was chalking this up to it being a bit cooler downstairs, but the heater is right by her.

Put her to bed earlier and wake her up later.---this is something I really can't do if I still want to give her enough time out of the cage. I uncover them within 10 minutes of leaving for work. They get appx 3 hours out before bed time at 9pm. That includes their dinner time. Although I CAN do this on the weekends.

I took the ladder away so she can't go to the floor. I also removed the mirror I mentioned in another thread. I'm keeping 1 of the lamps off while they are in the living room so it isn't as bright. She is now playing with one of my nephews old toys. It has sounds and songs and light up stuff.

For my own peace of mind I'm taking her to the vet Friday. I'd much rather spend the money to find out she's ok medically, than take the chance of being wrong later on.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by felisdomesticus

If you don't plan on breeding... why would you want to deal with chronic egg laying, a cage-aggressive hen, plucking and possible egg binding?

ekkies are INFAMOUS for being obnoxious and problematic when hormonal.

Yes they are, but so are most birds. So the hormones last what a couple of months? You leave the eggs in, then it's not chronic. If she's on a healthy diet with plenty of calcium egg laying isn't an issue. I'm not saying ignore the hormones. What I'm saying is help her through them. The approach of suppression is what the standard has called for correct? Yet we still have plucking, frustrated hens. You hit on some very good points. The foraging, and exersize are all great points. All parrots should have to work for their food. What I'm saying instead of trying to fight something that is going to happen anyway. Find ways to help her through them. Give her paper to shred. Let her have a box to "play" in. When she is done w/ the urges. Remove the box, and paper.

Mike

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by leighrivera161

Only a man would ask that jeeezzz..... j/k

Hehehehe

[Greycee's dad]

One thing about the bathing, and this is strictly my observation and experience with my Greycee, nothing scientific. Greycee barbered, chewed and then finally plucked aggressively toward the end of her illness, and I believe her illness was the cause of her plucking.
The one thing I noticed is that she continued to pluck even when wet after bathing. I think I remember hearing that a bird will not normally pluck when wet (if I'm wrong please jump in, like I've said I'm here to learn too) this may be something to look for.

[Greycee's dad]

Originally Posted by Vega

She didn't do too bad today. There's about 5 small (not wing type) feathers on the cage floor--all shredded to pieces. While she's still active and moving around, when she rests I notice that she fluffs up more than she used to. I was chalking this up to it being a bit cooler downstairs, but the heater is right by her.

Put her to bed earlier and wake her up later.---this is something I really can't do if I still want to give her enough time out of the cage. I uncover them within 10 minutes of leaving for work. They get appx 3 hours out before bed time at 9pm. That includes their dinner time. Although I CAN do this on the weekends.

I took the ladder away so she can't go to the floor. I also removed the mirror I mentioned in another thread. I'm keeping 1 of the lamps off while they are in the living room so it isn't as bright. She is now playing with one of my nephews old toys. It has sounds and songs and light up stuff.

For my own peace of mind I'm taking her to the vet Friday. I'd much rather spend the money to find out she's ok medically, than take the chance of being wrong later on.

Something else I just noticed. You mentioned a heater near her, is this something new, now that it has gotten cold out? Does it make any noise that may be disturbing her?
Sometimes it can be the simplest thing that you might not think twice about.

[Vega]

Hey Graycee's dad, no the heater isn't new. While living with my parents the house was rather drafty, and due to heating costs, my mom got me a radiator style electric heater. In my new house I use the space heaters for the living room and in their room. The only noise it makes is an occaisional clicking sound (click on, click off). But again, this is something that's been around since I got her in '03.