Hormonal Hen ?

[captwest]

It's getting to be that time of the year, around my house anyway,how do you handle your horny hen? It also leads to other problems like getting down and looking for nest spots(like under the bed), she rarely gets off her cage or perch except this time of the year. I could write a book about my hen Jake (YN Amazon), at age 40 she's still crazy for love and drives me crazy, Ive tried all sorts of things and my latest is giving in with a little stimulation and then turning it into play, it seems to satisfy her with out going "all the way", Always looking for new ideas, Richard
And before you beat me upon this , i've had a lot of experience with this sort of thing and know all about egg bound birds ,nestboxes and that sort of stuff.But aren't natural life cycles part of your pet's enrichment? as much as food, shelter,companionship, toys etc. I've tried the ignoring it ( for years)but that seems to stress her and make her miserable, I am after all her mate and she expects it( oh yeah, she's not above asking my wife either) All of this is true of the several other hen amazons in my living/bird room.(all of which are rescued or burned out breeders, at least in some point in their life)

[Becco Lunatico]

I found myself reading this and a slowly spreading smile gave way to a giggle thinking about these things...I am also thinking about my daughter's sun conure who was supposed to be a male.....am reading "The Parrot Who Owns Me" and remembering when the author was describing being taken by her parrot's urging to a place under a credenza where there was a nest and how the poor bird took her by the hand to their special place. The author went on to describe how frustrated and confused the bird became as he obviously could not understand why his beloved could not fully enter the sanctuary.

*giggling*