|
|
Post by easttex on Feb 22, 2016 15:57:38 GMT -5
My grey's hormones are really ramping up. I take the usual precautions, but thought I'd ask Peppy's vet about it, since she's certified avian, and will pass what she told me along. She mentioned one thing I hadn't thought of, though it makes a lot of sense to me. She said in addition to cutting the overall calories some, cut back on the protein a little. For instance if your bird is on a higher protein version of pellets, and mine is - Harrison's high potency - go to the lower protein version. The difference is only about 3%, so it's nothing drastic. Even a lot of birds who are seed eaters as adults will feed their broods insects and other high protein foods, so if you can trick them into thinking this isn't a good protein year, it could help. I'm going to review the treats I give, especially.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Feb 22, 2016 18:11:52 GMT -5
My vet gave me this advice recently too... I have Cupcake on adult lifetime pellets but I serve them to her in a bed of high potency mash, which she loves... I think I need to invest in some adult lifetime mash. I wonder if she'll still like it as much.
|
|
|
|
Post by Caseysmom on Feb 22, 2016 21:13:27 GMT -5
Very interesting, and yup it does make sense, but like you I never thought about it. Casey has been more hungry lately gobbling down her dinner, which always has protein of some sort in it. She had a fair bit of protein tonight, sigh as we had salmon and it's her fav. She always eats the meat or egg first before her veggies. I only give her about a small spoonful total, I will just have to make sure i don't add as much protein. Thanks for the info...
|
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Feb 23, 2016 1:21:22 GMT -5
I'm kind of missing the link between protein and hormones here (sorry if I seem a bit slow). Is it that protein is related to egg-laying behaviour? I guess that might make sense if I'm assuming correctly.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Feb 23, 2016 5:58:25 GMT -5
Hi biteybird! Growing birds need lots of protein, so one of the things that signal to an adult that it's a good year for breeding is the presence of protein-rich foods to feed their babies. Just one of many possible triggers for hormonal behavior, including egg-laying.  |
|
|
|
Post by beccilouise on Feb 25, 2016 4:52:47 GMT -5
Does anyone know if this trick affects female birds more than male birds or vice versa, or is their no statistically relevant difference in the reduction of hormones? (I don't even know if Byron is a boy or a girl yet, still 3 weeks to wait!)
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Feb 25, 2016 7:09:02 GMT -5
I don't know of any studies on this, so I'm guessing, but it seems like it would work the same. They both feed their young.
|
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Feb 25, 2016 14:40:53 GMT -5
And they both build nests. They are so very similar male and female... that is why only DNA testing will tell you for sure. Oh... besides my husband saw Oscar's petter one time... lol... Oscar was jumping on a sock and out it popped for a second or two. ewwwww.
I do not want to see that.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Feb 26, 2016 11:56:49 GMT -5
Quaker parrots don't have that anatomy They only have cloacas, which are just a little lumpy orifice... same place that they poop from, so nothing should be popping out as you describe. Not sure what your husband saw, but I don't think it's what he thinks he saw  |
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Feb 26, 2016 15:28:21 GMT -5
Ohhhh Aaron... there is a little something there... I am not sure where you got this information from... but I know there is a little something. ha ha on the "little".
|
|
|
|
Post by zim on Feb 26, 2016 21:08:25 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Feb 27, 2016 0:55:52 GMT -5
Yeah, nothing like being humiliated on an international basis - the only thing worse would be photos. |
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Feb 27, 2016 10:15:19 GMT -5
Anatomical diagrams... Remember, if there was clearly differing anatomy between the male and female gender birds, then we wouldn't have the need for DNA sexing.  The cloaca can definitely stick out a bit, like a sphincter, if you catch it from the right angle though |
|
|
|
Post by julianna on Feb 27, 2016 13:47:34 GMT -5
Yup... I recognize the cloaca for sure... lol lol. Good photo thanks Aaron.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robynbaskin on Jun 23, 2018 1:57:48 GMT -5
My first Quaker was a green one and we assumed it was a boy from his behaviors. I never had him DNA tested. He would often rub his little cloaca on things and back up to the mirror and seemed to be masterbating. Due to the ferocity and frequency, my mom and I would giggle and say.. He is a boy! Is this a correct assumption? Does anyone notice behaviors that tend to help lean towards a good guess at gender?
I am about to get my new baby blue and I am considering doing the DNA testing. Pros/Cons on this? What age is safe to do that? I want to take bird to vet right away, and they are not yet weaned. I am guessing bird is between 5 to 6 weeks old right now. Is it too early for vet? for DNA test?
|
|
