Hartman Aviary

[loyallyroyal]

Has anyone read any of the articles at
The Parrot University

What did you think?
I thought a lot of it made sense, especially the spay and neuter stuff, I agree that a lot of problems people have with their parrots is hormonal:

"We have still not found a safe and efficient way to neuter and spay parrots. Seasonal instinctive breeding behavior is often the reason a parrot displays undesirable personality traits. Most other pets and livestock are neutered or spayed when it is necessary to limit the breeding impulse.

There are several methods that may work. These include chemical sterilization, hormone inhibitors and surgical techniques.

This should be one of the highest priorities for aviculture. It affects almost every parrot and their ability to stay in their home.

Start funding projects to develop safe, cost effective neuter and spay techniques."


I also like the idea of selectively breeding parrots.

[amanda143]

Personally, I hate the idea of altering any animal. All of ours are fixed due to necessity but if it were a perfect world I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't want someone altering me because of human overpopulation. lol

[loyallyroyal]

Really, I think it would end a lot of behavioral problems, like my house rabbits are fixed to prevent spraying and peeing all over stuff. If you are not going to breed your animal, if anything its healthier to have them fixed and if we could do it safely in parrots I think a lot more people would keep their feathered friends.

[becca623]

Unless it would be detrimental to their health, I like the idea of spaying or neutering parrots since hormones cause so many problems.

[Willow]

I agree. I also believe that it would help them be happier as well, if they were not continually frustrated by not fullfilling their drive to reproduce.

[loyallyroyal]

to bad there isnt a research project looking into that, I for one would donate to something like that.

[flyingfluff]

I'm really not sure where I stand on this whole issue. I'm not sure I would want someone to spay me just because they can't deal with me when I get hormonal. I feel like spaying and neutering is something people do because it makes their lives easier, not just for the good of the animal.

On the other hand, if spaying or neutering a bird could potentially save their life, then I would want there to be a safe way to have the procedure done.

[loyallyroyal]

lots of female birds get fixed, especially ekkies due to chronic egg laying which takes a heavy toll on the bird. Wouldnt it be nice to have a safe way to do it?

[Abby]

I've got alot of time for Steve Hartman. I agree with alot of his philosophies. This is the home of the aviator harness and Bird Sitter DVD.

I think it's up to the individual on whether they want to sterilise their birds. With female birds it's fairly straightforward and a procedure that has been getting done for awhile. Last I heard ( a couple of years ago from my vet) they are yet to perfect physical sterilisation on cock birds. We got into this discussion when there was some concern that my male sunny was found to have a swollen teste.

[becca623]

Originally Posted by flyingfluff

I'm really not sure where I stand on this whole issue. I'm not sure I would want someone to spay me just because they can't deal with me when I get hormonal. I feel like spaying and neutering is something people do because it makes their lives easier, not just for the good of the animal.

On the other hand, if spaying or neutering a bird could potentially save their life, then I would want there to be a safe way to have the procedure done.

Actually spaying or neutering dogs and cats is very beneficial to them. They are much less likely to get cancer (breast, testicular, ovarian, uterine,) urinal blockage, endometriosis, and other health problems. They are less likely to get in fights, run off, mark in the house, or hump everything in sight. Obviously, not all problems disappear completely nor do all animals stop unwanted behaviors but it really does help.