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Post by Mark on Dec 11, 2014 10:46:10 GMT -5
we have a 6y/o female parrot in good health and noticed this morning 2 areas in cage where she vomited what looks like undigested seeds. Seems in good spirits so far. We feed her appropriate seeds as well as an apple slice and sometimes grapes. Is this a common practice for Quakers. She has been spending a lot time on the bottom of the cage stalking around. Last time she acted like this she laid 3 eggs. That was last year, however the vomiting is a new one. Any suggestions? Thanks mark
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Post by easttex on Dec 11, 2014 12:22:33 GMT -5
It sounds like she is not vomiting, but regurgitating from her crop. The undigested part is the clue. If so, it is most likely hormonal/breeding behavior. A bird who is strongly bonded to a person will often try to feed him in this way. Is there something in her cage that she seems to be particularly fond of? Sometimes parrots decide to make a favored toy a mate.
You should try to discourage egg laying in non-breeding birds. It puts a whole lot of stress on them for no good purpose. Things you can do would include removing any toy that she seems to be suddenly obsessed with. If you handle her, keep the skritches limited to the head and neck. Most importantly, make sure she gets around 12 hours (or more) of dark, quiet sleep time, year-round.
That's my guess, based on your description, but I'd keep a close watch on her to make sure she seems to be feeling okay. Spending time on the floor of the cage is always something to keep an eye on.
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Post by easttex on Dec 11, 2014 12:22:44 GMT -5
another duplicate post...
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Post by Mark on Dec 11, 2014 16:28:41 GMT -5
Thank you for your quick reply...you may be on to something. She was getting a little overly frisky with her fabric play toy my wife installed in her cage a while ago. We got it from the pet store and it is suppose to keep a single bird occupied. So you think that she may have made this toy her mate and is trying to share food by regurgitating? Her personality seems the same, maybe even a bit more frisky. Is there any harm is this activity, should we take away her toy? Or will this pass. Thanks again, mark
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Post by easttex on Dec 11, 2014 18:16:19 GMT -5
It will pass, but I'd want to head off any egg-laying if I could. It's hard on their little bodies, and can deplete them of nutrients, especially calcium, and runs the risk of egg binding, which can be very serious. It seems heartless to take away something they are so obviously fond of, but that's what I would do. I would try to do it when she can't see you taking it, so maybe she won't bear a grudge.  Let it disappear. These things do happen in nature. You can give the toy back to her when her hormones calm down. My recommendation, anyway. |
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Post by Mark on Dec 11, 2014 20:02:53 GMT -5
I think that is what I will do. I will remove it when the bird and my wife are not looking!!! Thanks again. Great forum. Mark
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Post by easttex on Dec 12, 2014 4:32:17 GMT -5
I didn't even think about your wife bearing a grudge. Good luck, and I hope that will take care of things. |
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Let it disappear. These things do happen in nature. You can give the toy back to her when her hormones calm down. My recommendation, anyway.