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Post by wsteinhoff on Oct 11, 2016 8:12:22 GMT -5
My birds have been acting very aggressive since molting as the title says. It's making simple things like feeding really difficult. Bishop and Skye both are like this while Casey is his usual cheery self who never seems unhappy. I've noticed all this since the molting started which has now pretty much stopped but they're still acting like they are. Everything was going so well and then out of nowhere this happens. Bishop tries to bite if I go near him, his cage, or touch his water dish. Skye will come charging across the cage tearing into my hand when I reach in to get her food bowl, I can't touch her, and it's hard to even clean her cage because she doesn't even want me doing that. Bishop will scream and scream as if he wants attention then bite when he gets it. He'll pace back and forth like he wants to come out of the cage and then once he's out he goes after me and bites. If I let Skye out she will come running across the room to attack me. She seems to want to do nothing but eat and then sit by this bell all day talking to it (she previously hated this bell). Bishop just wants to eat and scream all day. Even a bath which they love will not make them happy. I just don't know what to do anymore, it's been like this for weeks. The only connection I can make is the molt they all went through. If it were some illness causing behavioral issues then Casey should be sick too but there's no sign of illness anyways. I know molting can cause aggression because it's uncomfortable but this seems beyond being just a little uncomfortable.
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Post by easttex on Oct 11, 2016 15:37:28 GMT -5
I don't know, but maybe they are feeding off each other's behavior at this point. I would try taking them out one at a time and bringing them to an unfamiliar place. I don't know what sort of training you do with a pigeon, but it's worth trying some very focused attention on both of them, like they get when you're trying to train them do something. Making them see you as the big treat dispenser might help change their attitudes.
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Post by biteybird on Oct 12, 2016 1:50:41 GMT -5
It sounds kind of like hormonal and territorial behaviour. Could you try separating them (like Easttex suggested), but change something in their cages? Or else, try a different cage or a different part of the house for each bird, at least temporarily? It does sound difficult. Bonnie has been like this off and on for quite some time now, but at the moment she's in a 'good' phase, touch wood!
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Post by wsteinhoff on Oct 12, 2016 8:58:29 GMT -5
That's actually a great idea that they are feeding off each other's behavior, I can't believe I didn't think of that (but I guess that's part of why we come here and ask). It makes perfect sense. I've started to go back to school and I am doing it online partly so I can still have time for the birds but I still have less time for them and I'm also just more busy at this time in my life and I'll only continue to become more busy. Because of that I've been taking them out together so I have time for them all. Since they've been together more they have become friendly together more than they were. Because of that maybe they're learning from each other and when one acts up the other does too and then it doesn't stop. Bishop acts up so Skye does and because Skye does Bishop does more and so does Skye and it's just non-stop. It also explains why Casey isn't like this becaus he prefers to be left alone and is happy with just being talked to occasionally throughout the day so he doesn't come out with the others.
I took Bishop out alone yesterday and he was nice for a short time until he got tired of it. Today I fed them and he wanted to be petted. Skye was taken out alone yesterday and took a bath but today still wanted to tear my hand off when I fed her. Some progress has been made already. Thanks Easttex!
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Post by easttex on Oct 12, 2016 16:44:25 GMT -5
Good. I hope things continue to improve for you.  |
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Post by aaron on Oct 12, 2016 19:51:47 GMT -5
Wow! Hope this has been a breakthrough, as the situation sounds pretty darn unpleasant. Keep us posted!
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Post by wsteinhoff on Oct 13, 2016 9:22:23 GMT -5
Well it appears the alone time that was suggested was what Bishop needed. Again this morning he wanted petted when I uncovered the cage and brought him his food. Skye I guess was actually being protective of her things. I uncovered her cage this morning to find an egg next to the bell. This has happened before with a new toy where she really likes it and then starts laying eggs by it. I've removed the toy and the egg and I'll let her pass the second egg then remove it and leave her alone for a while. She should then be back to normal. I didn't think this was her problem because it's been weeks and no egg, usually she lays it much sooner and she was also much more aggressive than she's ever been. With the toy that's provoking the egg laying removed she won't continue to lay more unlike when birds have an actual nest and you remove an egg and they just keep laying more. Thank you all for the responses, I believe both their problems have been solved.
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Post by aaron on Oct 13, 2016 16:25:24 GMT -5
That's great news!
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Post by biteybird on Oct 14, 2016 21:00:30 GMT -5
*Sigh of relief* |
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