Hen in Heat

[oslund]

I cannot get my eclectus hen out of heat! Anytime my boyfriend walks by she arches her back like she's ready to mate... every time she's near, or passes my male blue-front Amazon she arches her back like she's ready to mate, and every time I put her in the shower she gets her tail end underneath the stream of water and arches her back like she's ready to mate! I've tried shortening her days and giving her more showers at the suggestion of others when I posted previously on her aggression toward my Amazon... although I've stopped giving her showers as often because when she gets in there she starts posturing. What should I do? She used to like having my Amazon as a friend but now I can't let them get anywhere near each other because she's so aggressive with him because he won't mate with her. My boyfriend can't handle her much less walk by her cage or stand because she wants to mate with him. How can I get her out of this phase, or is it even a phase?

Thanks

[natureboy]

You know what... I have a 8 year old SI female.
she does this same exact thing.

She willl bow down and drop her wings a bit and moan and i will tickle her back with my fingers, she will sway back and forth and then back into me.

She wants to be mated or is showing affection, its odd lol
Chille is very very sweet laid back and will let you do whatever you want.
I just really dont understand it but its different lol.

[peeker]

I've heard--shortening her days, perhaps moving her cage, no petting on the back. I wish I had more to offer you! I will be following to hear what the expert has to say and will add my sympathies. I have two Eclectus females at home and both are acting the exact same way. One also paces the floor of her cage looking to get out and chew up my baseboards and the other just sits on the bottom at times like she's ready to lay.

[The Outlaw]

I've sent the post to Carolyn. She hasn't yet responded.

[The Outlaw]

Hi Oslund,

Unfortunately, your problem is not uncommon among mature Eclectus hens, but don't stop giving her showers. You can set her up with a portable perch on a patio table in the shower and turn the water on for her. You'll need to stay and supervise to make sure the water doesn't get too hot and to prevent accidents. Also you can give her a wide dish with an inch or two of water in her cage to bathe in, OR place her in a couple inches of water collected in your kitchen sink. Another method is to spray her with pure water every day or two.

It is possible to get her past this hormonal phase but it takes dedication. Some people resort to vet treatment with a drug called Lupron but it doesn't always work and I would try changing her environment first. You can lower the light as bright light and plentiful fresh foods stimulate the urge to reproduce. You also can give her more dry foods than fresh foods. Make her daylight hours shorter by first putting her to bed an hour earlier, and once she adjusts, get her up an hour later. This is easier if you use a dark cage cover. Do not allow anyone to pet her on the neck, back, or vent area. Give her more exercise and keep her busy with various activities, even trips to work with you if possible. Keep her away from her cage when you're at home. She can use Boings, portable perches, and play gyms when you're at home.

Don't give her anything that looks like a box and don't let her have the run of the floor. One female parrot got into breeding mode because she could SEE a carpet roll and the dark hole in the middle looked like a great nest just waiting for her! She was eight years old and laid her first egg. The owner started observing how much time she gazed at the carpet roll, figured out why she suddenly laid an egg, removed the carpet roll, and the hen was soon back to normal. You might also try moving her cage to a different location in your home.

My email list of 1,700 members has discussed this topic at least once a week since Christmas, probably because the Eclectus breeding season coincides with Australia's summer season. Feel free to join us for more information by going to this web address.

Join The Eclectus Connection
http://www.landofvos.com/tec.html

Best of luck with your hormonal redhead.

Carolyn