birdmom3693
Moving in
- Joined
- 4/20/19
- Messages
- 8
- Real Name
- Mary
I am brand new to Avian Avenue, I am desperate looking for some help with my lovebird Eleanor. I apologize for the long post.
I have had Eleanor for almost 3 years now. I rescued her from an unfortunate situation where she was used for breeding over and over at the young age of 2. Her previous owner had another female lovie as well as Eleanor's mate. He separated Ellie and her mate because he "wanted to see what color babies" he could get with the other female and Ellie was distracting his male from bonding with the other girl. Very sad, but very grateful to give Ellie a new home.
Long story short, she's been a wonderful, hilarious addition to my flock. About a year and a half after I got Ellie, I adopted Emmeline, another female lovebird who has some deformities to her beak after an injury. The two get along well, sharing toys and food, and being a little more than friendly with each other sometimes. Overall, they enjoy each other's company and get along really well. I got Emmy because Ellie appeared to be lonely and had been with other lovies previously.
In May 2018, Ellie laid 6 eggs in the course of the month. She lost weight and I was nervous for her health. I took her to my vet and it was determined that it was just her season, she was given extra food, I refed her eggs back to her etc. and she recovered nicely. Over the past 3-4 months, Ellie has gotten very aggressive. Thankfully, not too much toward Emmy, but she definitely isn't as nice as she was before toward her. She has never been comfortable with my hands in her cage. She sits in the back corner and that's her space, where she brings paper shreds and spends most of her time. This area is BARE, no nesting materials or cozy corners, just cage. For these couple of months now, when she comes out for playtime she won't let me pick her up. She used to ask for head scratches but now just flies away yelling if I try to ask her to step up. If I do have her on my finger and try to pet her she bites me, HARD. She has also gotten into the habit of banging her beak on the floor of her cage, especially when I'm cleaning the cage.
I have read that a diet change is the first step to address this issue. Silly me, I gave her corn almost every night because she's always liked it. I read though that corn isn't a good food for birds who are hormonal and aggressive. I've read that pellets are also good for birds with aggression, but the first ingredient is corn so I'm torn on that as well.
If someone could give me any advice at all I'd greatly appreciate it. I don't want my little girl to be feeling like she has to defend her space or that she can't be friendly with me anymore. I'm worried she's unhappy and I just want to give her the best things for her.
Thank you for reading!
Mary
I have had Eleanor for almost 3 years now. I rescued her from an unfortunate situation where she was used for breeding over and over at the young age of 2. Her previous owner had another female lovie as well as Eleanor's mate. He separated Ellie and her mate because he "wanted to see what color babies" he could get with the other female and Ellie was distracting his male from bonding with the other girl. Very sad, but very grateful to give Ellie a new home.
Long story short, she's been a wonderful, hilarious addition to my flock. About a year and a half after I got Ellie, I adopted Emmeline, another female lovebird who has some deformities to her beak after an injury. The two get along well, sharing toys and food, and being a little more than friendly with each other sometimes. Overall, they enjoy each other's company and get along really well. I got Emmy because Ellie appeared to be lonely and had been with other lovies previously.
In May 2018, Ellie laid 6 eggs in the course of the month. She lost weight and I was nervous for her health. I took her to my vet and it was determined that it was just her season, she was given extra food, I refed her eggs back to her etc. and she recovered nicely. Over the past 3-4 months, Ellie has gotten very aggressive. Thankfully, not too much toward Emmy, but she definitely isn't as nice as she was before toward her. She has never been comfortable with my hands in her cage. She sits in the back corner and that's her space, where she brings paper shreds and spends most of her time. This area is BARE, no nesting materials or cozy corners, just cage. For these couple of months now, when she comes out for playtime she won't let me pick her up. She used to ask for head scratches but now just flies away yelling if I try to ask her to step up. If I do have her on my finger and try to pet her she bites me, HARD. She has also gotten into the habit of banging her beak on the floor of her cage, especially when I'm cleaning the cage.
I have read that a diet change is the first step to address this issue. Silly me, I gave her corn almost every night because she's always liked it. I read though that corn isn't a good food for birds who are hormonal and aggressive. I've read that pellets are also good for birds with aggression, but the first ingredient is corn so I'm torn on that as well.
If someone could give me any advice at all I'd greatly appreciate it. I don't want my little girl to be feeling like she has to defend her space or that she can't be friendly with me anymore. I'm worried she's unhappy and I just want to give her the best things for her.
Thank you for reading!
Mary
