eclectus male has lost interest in mating

By the end of Nov. 2005 I purchased a wonderful proven breeding fully feathere red sided eclectus pair. Aprox. 9 year old each. I do not have any experience in breeding eclectus but I am reading everything about the subject and learning a ton of wisdom through the interner. The male is quite tamed but the famale extremely agressive. Upon the time of the purchase the pair were in the period of incubating(aprox. 18 days at the time of purchasing the pair).. 2 fertile eggs but the former owner wanted the fertile and candled eggs for artificial incubation and to keep the babies. The pair is actually in a brand new and bigger breeding cage and new nest provided which the female occupied from day one upon arrival. I believe she already now 12/25/2005 has a new set of eggs since she stays in the nest and hardly ever comes out except to eat plus is more agressive than before near the nest. The male does not bother with her. He just sits with his back toward the nest entrance for periods of time during the day. Within the last two weeks and untill recently she has been exhibiting mating behavior but the male refuses to mate with her even he pecks on her head and tail despite her daily reapeated failed to conquer him courtings/flirtations.....if there are any eggs at the moment to me these are got to be clear ones.
Near by aprox. about 6 feet to the side of the eclectus cage(4'X9') exists another corner cage with a pair of juvenile rosebreasted cockatoos that are noisy at times and the eclectus pair can see. Yesterday I covered that side of the rosies cage so the eclectus pair can't see them. Obviously this male eclectus doesn't have any interest in the female. And hasn't mount her that I know off.
This lack of interest could it possibly be because of the new place? Could it be because of the visible presence of the pair of rosies close to the eclectus cage? Diet which I'll describe further? This male doesn't exhibit the habit of toe tapping but in the early morning ONLY for an hour or so yes there is some stressful behaviour because he clings with his beak to an extreme side of any given wooden perch or any given cage steel bar with his attention fix to a blind spot toward the outside yard flapping his wings tightly folded to his body all feathers everywhere are so ever tight to his body. Is this neurotic behavior considered stress?. Can't ask the owner about if he was always that way because he moved out of town and ignore his new address or phone no# for now. Why isn't this male showing mating interest with this hisl long term already companion female?. At the begining just arrived to new place he used to feed her but not anymore. Am I ever going to have a male that will breed again? They both are given(always had pretty bird pellets with former owner) same pellets with nuts,vegetables,fruits,hard boiled eggs. I did give them an occational peanut but NOT anymore after reading that some eclectus react negatively with this food or derivates. I have been giving them a supplement called PRO-VITAL mixed one teaspoon per galon of water. Today I began giving them disolved organic and natural aloe vera (pure pulp only) leaf gel disolved in a galon of water. I am about to get Aloe Detoxifying Formula which seams to be a much better natural remedy recommended in the landofvos internet site.
If the hen happens to have clear eggs which I will candle in the end of the 1st week of January 2006 should I close the next box entrance for 6 to 8 weeks before reopening? This business of clear egg laying could take a big toll on my eclectus hen. This rest period could be good for new environment and new cage adjustment together with any recommendations and advise which I will follow to the T. I am so ever eager to learn but learn well from an expert as yourself. Thank You so much for your time and advise....Looking forward for your reply at your earliest convenience.
Hernan R. Ramirez
Miami,FL

[natureboy]

Herman, if you purchased them in Nov. You have had them a very short time.
They are in a new environment and will need sometime to adjust.
Eclectus are very sensitive to change.

Females will normally go straight to the first darkest spot of the cage
Especially if she is a breeder-when a nest box is available they will go right in it
It doesn’t mean she wants to breed it means she wants to hide.

I normally do not put nest boxes on before putting the pair in and if I do I have a divider on the nest box so its closed off.
That way they can settle in and not have to worry about them hiding.
And after they are settled in I will open the box.

Your male will need sometime and they are often the ones who wait a bit on breeding in the eclectus species females are always a tad more hormonal and will nest immediately to nest or to hide. You should make sure they are on a great diet and well adjusted before letting them breed.
You may get a clutch right away or they may never give you babies?
Its just one of those great mysteries. I wish you good luck

[Hernan R Ramirez]

1st I must thank you for your reply in this regards. Many things have been tried since your last reply.
Below is an update on the happenings for this pair. What do you think thus far? This time around will keep my fingers crossed and see what may happen in Nov 2006. Too bad I can't post a picture of the cages, nest and the pair in question.


These are the new concerns about a red sided eclectus pair. Could you shed some light please?


This red-sided eclectus pair have laid 6 cluchtes of two eggs each.... all being infertile ever since November 2005 a proven pair which by the time of purchase they had a clucth of 2 fertile eggs which personaly never saw but it was claimed the owner. In one instance two of the infertile eggs were examined denoting a healthy yolk and white without any foul smell. Shell calcium contitution seems strong and normal.

Their diet since day one here being fruits, raw and cocked vegetables, Pretty Bird specifics Eclectus & Breeder #40 pellets. Also 10% of their total diet seed mix and once a week nuts & almonds(never peanuts) and the like. Ocationaly hard boil eggs. Seldom millet seed treat.

The nest was provided since day one.

In the very begining the Female was in command. Later the coin switched and now the Male is. He goes after the female biting her not hard though but nips at her specialy when she turns her back to him(even when she solicits the male at times this behavior takes place) and or when I am near their cage during feeding time.
They are a very quiet pair full feathered and most beautiful.
Two times during this 6 cluthches the nest entrance was closed for 30 days or so and re-opened. Once I let her sit on her infertile eggs for 30 days as well.. After all these the same results infertile eggs. Once I caught the male mounting her but thus interrupted their mating upon seen my presence.. Upps! so sorry about that! Oh! almost forgot this detail the male never ever enters the nest.
Three weeks ago resolved in moving the pair to an entirely different cage(2'x2.5'x4') and location(african grey"s barn structure with partitions meaning no pair can see each other) quieter from where they came from with no other noisy birds near by such as a pair of (noisy )rose breasted cockatoos a(my) pet moluccan noisy at morning & evening time. Former cage provided for the Eclectus Red Sided breeding pair was a large macaw cage with a removable divider. 6'x2.5'x5'.
No nest has been provided this time around in this new cage and location until november 2006 thus allowing pair to adjust and hen to rest from all that laying infertile eggs.
This pair does not hide in the nest since apparently they aren't afraid of humans to the contrary the female is always looking for ways to get me(has given me a few bloody finger bites during feeding time....very agressive and naughty little girl lets say to be nice and say the least . He is completely the opposite.... sweet and I can say tamed since once hopped on my forearm and groomed himself there. Of course I made him do this since he didn't volunteer to do it. I do not handle him since that day being a breeder not a pet though.
The nest will have next time at the entrance a 1/4" plywood cover with a small hole enough for them to pick on and make their entrance.
It has been recommended to solely give them Harrison's pellets and or Katee's pellets that is changing their diet dratically which I have done.
Do I need to preen their vents next breeding season to help copulation?
Hoping next time there may be fertile eggs. Eclectus can is my understanding can be very sensitive with change as pointed by you in the last reply sent.

Any other recommendations and or corrections from your experience will greatly be appreciated.

HerNan R. Ramirez
Miami,FL

[Hernan R Ramirez]

1st I must thank you for your reply in this regards. Many things have been tried since your last reply.
Below is an update on the happenings for this pair. What do you think thus far? This time around will keep my fingers crossed and see what may happen in Nov 2006. Too bad I can't post a picture of the cages, nest and the pair in question.


These are the new concerns about a red sided eclectus pair. Could you shed some light please?


This red-sided eclectus pair have laid 6 cluchtes of two eggs each.... all being infertile ever since November 2005 a proven pair which by the time of purchase they had a clucth of 2 fertile eggs which personaly never saw but it was claimed the owner. In one instance two of the infertile eggs were examined denoting a healthy yolk and white without any foul smell. Shell calcium contitution seems strong and normal.

Their diet since day one here being fruits, raw and cocked vegetables, Pretty Bird specifics Eclectus & Breeder #40 pellets. Also 10% of their total diet seed mix and once a week nuts & almonds(never peanuts) and the like. Ocationaly hard boil eggs. Seldom millet seed treat.

The nest was provided since day one.

In the very begining the Female was in command. Later the coin switched and now the Male is. He goes after the female biting her not hard though but nips at her specialy when she turns her back to him(even when she solicits the male at times this behavior takes place) and or when I am near their cage during feeding time.
They are a very quiet pair full feathered and most beautiful.
Two times during this 6 cluthches the nest entrance was closed for 30 days or so and re-opened. Once I let her sit on her infertile eggs for 30 days as well.. After all these the same results infertile eggs. Once I caught the male mounting her but thus interrupted their mating upon seen my presence.. Upps! so sorry about that! Oh! almost forgot this detail the male never ever enters the nest.
Three weeks ago resolved in moving the pair to an entirely different cage(2'x2.5'x4') and location(african grey"s barn structure with partitions meaning no pair can see each other) quieter from where they came from with no other noisy birds near by such as a pair of (noisy )rose breasted cockatoos a(my) pet moluccan noisy at morning & evening time. Former cage provided for the Eclectus Red Sided breeding pair was a large macaw cage with a removable divider. 6'x2.5'x5'.
No nest has been provided this time around in this new cage and location until november 2006 thus allowing pair to adjust and hen to rest from all that laying infertile eggs.
This pair does not hide in the nest since apparently they aren't afraid of humans to the contrary the female is always looking for ways to get me(has given me a few bloody finger bites during feeding time....very agressive and naughty little girl lets say to be nice and say the least . He is completely the opposite.... sweet and I can say tamed since once hopped on my forearm and groomed himself there. Of course I made him do this since he didn't volunteer to do it. I do not handle him since that day being a breeder not a pet though.
The nest will have next time at the entrance a 1/4" plywood cover with a small hole enough for them to pick on and make their entrance.
It has been recommended to solely give them Harrison's pellets and or Katee's pellets that is changing their diet dratically which I have done.
Do I need to preen their vents next breeding season to help copulation?
Hoping next time there may be fertile eggs. Eclectus can is my understanding can be very sensitive with change as pointed by you in the last reply sent.

Any other recommendations and or corrections from your experience will greatly be appreciated.

HerNan R. Ramirez
Miami,FL

[Joel]

Hello HerNan..... Why can't ya post a pic of cage, location, birds, etc.?

My guess is prior owner was having trouble with breeding also & decided to "get rid" of them (I hope I'm wrong). Even though sometimes one gets lucky, it is probably safest not to buy a so-called proven pair unless ya see babies in the nest with parents.................. Maybe ya just have a very incompatible pair or ya might even have a member of the pair who is not mature yet? How do ya know their true age other than what the prior owner may have said? Have ya ever took them in for an avian vet check and/or exam of internal organs? Might be a good idea. I also live in the Miami area if I can be of any further assistance. Pm me your phone # if ya like and maybe I can come over for a look-see and make a suggestion or two etc......... Good luck otherwise.

Originally Posted by Hernan R Ramirez

".......This time around will keep my fingers crossed and see what may happen in Nov 2006. Too bad I can't post a picture of the cages, nest and the pair in question ........................

.................................................. ........"

Any other recommendations and or corrections from your experience will greatly be appreciated.

HerNan R. Ramirez
Miami,FL