What is going on with Princess?
7Woke up last Sunday morning to find this at the bottom of Princess’s cage. Another egg so soon after she laid one just 5 weeks ago when she hadn’t laid any for two years. She might have heard us talking about the egg shortage and wanted to do her part?
Called the vet on Monday and he said that she probably had attached herself to one us or a toy in the cage thinking that was her mate and that caused eggs production to be stimulated. Told him it couldn’t be us as she still didn’t like us unless we were offering her food. But told him about a particular hanging toy she has become obsessed with and he said to remove it mean as it may seem or she would continue to produce eggs one clutch after another which wouldn’t be good for her.
Since she lays two eggs at a time a week apart we are on egg watch and as before she has become ravenous eating everything in sight (scrambled eggs and blintzes for breakfast and 1/3 of a egg roll for lunch).
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What’s the toy? Does it look like a bird?! Poor thing, she’s probably going to be sad when you remove it. How strange!
@Kyeh No wasn’t even a real toy-just some hanging pieces of plastic and wood I connected together which she used to bat around and make weird noises when doing it like she was mad at it. Never should have gotten a girl bird-to much attitude and issues. She is having chicken parm to eat tonight.
@Kyeh here is the “toy”.
@Felton10 Huh. How strange. Would you ever consider having a companion bird for her?
@Kyeh Not recommended unless the birds grew up together or are very young She is so stubborn and set in her ways that introducing her to something or someone new would not go well. She lets us know when things displease her by uttering a low growl or by pushing things around with her beak or attacking things. She only gets on our hand when it is convenient for her-to pick her off the floor, move her from her travel cage to her main cage or to move her from a lower perch to a higher perch near the area where her food is (she is really lazy).
No idea if she will ever get used to us, but having had birds for close to 40 years her actions don’t really bother us but obviously wish she were more friendly.
@Felton10
Bummer.
Why is it bad for her to lay eggs? I know from having chickens that they (at least with chickens) don’t need a male (rooster) to fertilize their egg. Are they the same way? Would Princess be able to sit on her egg and end up with little Princesses and/or Princes?
I really do feel for you. After spending a lifetime loving and caring for your birds it just doesn’t seem fair that you ended up with a bird that doesn’t seem to return her love, affection and appreciation for you.
I read your response up above to Kyeh’s question about getting Princess a friend but have you considered a second bird in another space/room, (for other reasons than the egg laying situation)
or, is it just the same because they’d be in the same house?
@Lynnerizer Parrots vs chicken laying eggs-different issue. Chickens lay eggs so you can eat them. Not good for parrots to lay one clutch of eggs after another. It is difficult for them. Personality changes when they are about to lay. Plus biggest issue is eggs often get stuck and if you are lucky enough and get to the dtr soon enough it can be solved but if not it would kill them.
We knew at the outset that the previous owner would have the primary imprint on how Princess acted toward us. But even though she doesn’t appear to like us and just tolerates us knowing we gave a bird that needed to be adopted a nice home is enough for us. Maybe in time she will get friendlier toward us.
@Felton10
Thanks for explaining. Also, I’ve been learning a lot more about adoption every day (it’s been a topic in my life lately) and either way, whether it’s humans or animals, it takes a selfless heart!
@Lynnerizer There was definitely something missing in our life when Walter died. Didn’t want to get a dog as we have never had one so originally adopted a cockatoo. Found out there was a reason the bird sanctuary had a whole room full of cockatoos. The one we had and finally had to take back was noisy if we were not in the same room and mean-bit me drawing a lot of blood after he indicated she wanted to be petted and while I was petting him-that was the last straw-took him back and got princess instead.
@Felton10
Yes, I remember when you were going through all of that. I’ve been following along since before Walter passed. I think ANY bird would be thrilled to have you!
@Lynnerizer Not the one we have now-but can always hope. Our daughter who is over 50 got her first pet (a dog) who we made the mistake of telling her we would foot the bill-was a designer dog (a multipoo). Cute as a button but expensive-we could have taken a couple more cruises for what that dog has cost us so far and will cost us in the future.
@Felton10
Oh yeah he’s a cutie! I wasn’t familiar with that breed so I looked it up and I can see why you might go broke caring for his coat alone! My search said “to maintain its soft, luxurious texture and prevent matting, regular brushing and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) is recommended”.
THAT is a lot of grooming costs unless you are doing it yourself. Sounds like a wonderful dog though, she should have MANY YEARS of happiness with him! And she’s pretty lucky to have you footing the bill! But I’m sure she knows that!
@Lynnerizer she has a mobile dog groomer come to her condo to do it-she (I) paid more for two grooms than I pay for hair cuts for a whole year. WTF with that.
@Felton10 @Lynnerizer
That dog better lay golden eggs for the money your putting out lol
@Felton10
I hear ya, grooming is BIG business these days!
@Felton10 @Star2236
Lol
It might be better for you to pay for a grooming class for your daughter, cheaper anyways!