Aggressive Behavior

[SeanM]

Does anyone know if there are aggression issues with CAG's after egg laying, Koosie has been hell the last 2 week's, I have more holes in my fingers since the eggs than the whole last year. I don't know if this is part of the aftermath of the eggs or is there another issue, she seems normal, healthy, active, but doesn't want to be handled scratched or anything. If she is on my hand and I go to scratch her she "stands tall and rears back" and will strike more often than not. This is new behavior, time out isn't working, telling her no isn't working, ignoring the bites isn't working, I don't know what to do at this point, is this related to the egg laying or not, could it be hormonal , is this normal behavior after egg laying, is this an issue that will settle down or not. It's starting to get to the point that I don't want to handle her, no one that worked in the pet store wanted anything to do with her because she would always bite them. There was a really nice friendly cherry headed conure at the bird store and a pair of sun conures, I know they would trade for Koosie in a heartbeat and the way she is acting I am thinking about it. I knew when I took her on she wasn't the cuddliest bird in the world, but she has never behaved like this with me before. Her behavior is worse than the descriptions of the "terrible two's" and she is 17, she is not any joy to be around anymore. Does anyone have any ideas please, the situation cannot continue as it is.

[billysprout]

Sean, dont trade her in, that could be part of her issue, a lot has happened to Koosie recently, shes still new to you and has had the problem of the egg laying in between, i know what you mean about the biting, i have Satans pet, shes 2 and half and the biting is a total nightmare, had i foreseen it i would never have got her but i did and im stuck with her now, love her to bits but shes a nightmare to deal with, if i let her go she would probably end up stuck in a cage 24/7 or passed around. I dont want that for her, shes my responsibility and much as i dread getting her out cos i know whats coming i have no choice. Just come in from pub so advice probably not too good and better advice will follow but please let her stay with you.

[marilyn]

Sean,How long has it been since koosie laid the eggs? If it hasn't been that long and if you have not been able to handle her since then ,my advise to you is to get her to the vet.,she may be egg bound.this is very painful to the bird and also life threatening. May not be the case but there has to be a reason for the change in her behavior. Stick it out with her it seams she needs you now more than ever. Did you take her eggs out of her cage? And if so did she see you do it? Thinking good thought for you and koosie

[SeanM]

She is not egg bound. I am not recounting the whole egg thing, these are the threads if you want to read them.
http://theafricangreyparrot.com/forum/index.php/topic,6510.0.html

http://theafricangreyparrot.com/forum/index.php/topic,6544.0.html

[feika]

Limit your interaction with her to just replenishing the food bowls and let her come out on her own without any handling. Hopefully she will soon come out of it, but if you continue to offer your fingers to her, she continues her biting. Good luck

[SeanM]

I have stopped all interaction starting last night, she will readily get on my hand but if I reach to scratch her with the other hand she strikes, she used to nuzzle in. When I would put her to bed she would keep climbing out to block the door and insisted on scratches, usually a half hour worth on top of what she already had that day, now she just goes in. If she didn't want to be handled or scratched she would push  my hand away with the top of her beak or would gently take my finger in her beak and push it away. Now she just bites. I was told  at the pet store when she first got her she was friendly and interactive with everyone then just started biting. Now after slowly winning her trust, going in to play with her, and I was the only person who spent time with her, after settling her in here, making her feel comfortable enough, safe enough, and loved enough that she would put herself into a very vulnerable position that the would lay eggs, after taking care of her with the eggs, making sure she had all the calcium(cuttlebone) she wanted at her disposal, she just scraped her beak through it, so all she ate was the dust that went in her beak, she went through almost twice her body weight in cuttle bone(most of it thrown out), calcium supplements in her water, hand feeding her so she could stay in a comfortable position on her eggs. Now I just get bitten. I haven't changed anything or done anything to cause this, this is her.

Debbie I understand what you are saying but after Bella you still have Bellino and Chocko to interact with, all I have is an option to get more holes in my hands and fingers

[marilyn]

Sean went back and read the posts of the egg saga,buddy you have been through it. I think you did everything right I bet it must just be a hormon thing and she just need time to settle back down,this might have been her first time to lay eggs and she dosen't know what has happened either,us women can be fickle.lol I think you're doing the right thing stopping the interaction with her let her do it at her own pace,I know it must be flustrating(sp) but maybe giving her the cold shoulder will sort her back out. I don't know if pepper is male or female but I sure hope I don't have to go through what you did.Don't remember who posted it but even if you did get a male there is no guarentee they will get along,you might end up with two biting birds,which I'm sure you know already. My bird dosen't like my dog to be near me tries to bite him,so I figure I am the birds choosen one,like Koosie thinks you are the choosen one Give her some more time she will sort this out.

[SeanM]

I am going to give her some time, but giving her the cold shoulder isn't easy.

[billysprout]

Sean, ive sent you a pm. 

[SeanM]

Well I think we have turned the corner, and she is getting to be even better than she used to be. The cold shoulder was not the answer, it was just going very slowly, not pushing too much, and not giving up on her. I almost went back to square one with handling her, talked to her and explained things often, got a few fingers chewed on, and progressed back to where we were slowly. I believe everything will be okay.  Debbie thank you so much for your support and guidance even through your tough time, I don't know how it would have gone without you. 

[marilyn]

Great news sean. Have had you and koosie in my thoughts. I have been trying to give pepper more attention since he is house bound.He really enjoyed the shower today and have set a wicker basket on the coffee table next to me.He seems to be really enjoying himself. Glad you are back on (speaking terms) with koosie. Peppers Mom Marilyn

[kins23]

Sean.... sorry I haven't been there for you lately with your struggles with Koosie. I am so glad Debbie was there for you. Koosie is a KEEPER! No matter what you go thru with her,hormonal, or otherwise.... she is an EXCEPTIONAL bird. She doesn't understand, that you are exhausted as well! If you are too exhausted to deal with her attitude.... feel free to "cheat", put on your thickest bathrobe, pick her up, and go into a different room, that she is not "familiar" with! She will be "putty", in your hands. I usually don't cheat.... but all birds recognize what "bathrobe", I wear. "boss" robe,or "what's your opinion", robe. I always wear "boss" robe for Sunny. I usually wear "what's your opinion robe" for Kiki and Sophie.May sound crazy, but works for us!   Nancy

[knygren76]

Been thinking of you and Koosie, Sean.  Hope everything continues to get better.  Happy thoughts coming your way!  Thanks for the update.

[kins23]

Sean.... how's everything? I am sure you and Koosie are exhausted! Happy New Year! Both of you need time to recover, and establish a routine. Keep it simple for the two of you. No demands.... no expectations, for a couple of weeks. We miss you, and are here if you need us!   Kisses and hugs....  Nancy, Sophie, Kiki, Sunny and boys.

[SeanM]

Well all seems to be back to normal, she still has her moments, but then so do I. When I open her cage in the morning, after the morning grey pattie, I go to the top door, she'll come to the edge and rest her head on my shoulder for scratches.