Need advice

[carriesb]

My tiel Dandy was going through a horrible hormonal period screaming all the time a high pitched loud screech. She was pleasuring herself on her perches all the time. I got to thinking that maybe her cage was to big it's meant for multiple birds a small flight breeder cage. No breeder boxes though. I ended up putting her in a smaller cage she seemed to perk up was playing not pleasuring herself and most incredible not screaming. But was having more night frights than she's ever had. So I ended up putting her back in her big cage. She is screaming all the time using her perches again. And acting like her old moody self. Any advice should I just get a new inbetween sized cage not to big but not to small? Or just put her back in the smaller one and try to work on the frights. The original cage was about 32 inches wide and 38 high. The smaller cage is 20 by 20. Should I look for something higher but still smaller wide. I also got to thinking she's higher than me when I walk up to the cage because of the stand could that have anything to do with it. Any advice please.

[danforth3]

How much sleep is she getting? If she is real bad try giving her 14 hours of darkness and sleep a day. This may help reduce the hormonal flux--it helped my tiel, Merry. After a week or 2, 12 hours of sleep and darkness will be enough to keep her homones in check.

Also try re-arranging her cage. Move the perches, toys, change positions of the water/food bowls. This will help reduce the nest quality of the cage and may tone down the screaming. She is looking for a mate. But 12 hours of sleep and darkness will help a lot, and initially for about a week or 2, give her 14 hours. You should see a difference.

[carriesb]

Thanks Cathy she's been getting about 12 and I thought giving her more would be to much but now I think I'm gonna give it a try. Because I noticed even days I cover her early I don't think she goes to sleep right away but since she's in the dark she's better. Thanks.