Ask Lafeber

Question:

June 17, 2021

Aggressive lovebird


super super aggressive female lovebird. what can I do besides Lupron. she was attacking and killing her husband.


Answer:

Hi Marisa,

Lupron is typically given when a bird is a chronic egg layer. As for her behavior, female lovebirds can be very territorial. When you say her “husband” is this a bonded mate she has bred with and raised chicks? Or is this just a male you want her to bond with? Not all birds are compatible and not all will be good breeders. If they were bonded and have bred, did you rest them for 6 months between clutches by removing the box? If you allowed them to keep having clutches, they can get over bred and it takes a toll on their health. It’s very important to limit them to 2 clutches per year, with a 6 month rest in between. If you were trying to pair them, maybe he is too young? Or she may simply not like him. After a vicious attack, some pairs can never be put together again. Sometimes one mate will turn on the other and you don’t know why. Again, this can come down to incompatibility. They choose a mate in the wild and do not always care for the mate we choose for them. If she is remaining in a hormonal condition and will not stop laying eggs, there are a number of chances you can make to discourage egg laying, but you need to make all of these changes, not just one thing.

Limit their light to 8-10 hours by covering the cage early each evening

Do no give them anything to use as a nest – no bird huts or tents, no box, bowl, etc. If one decides to sit in a food bowl, remove it and replace with smaller cups.

Do not give them anything to shred such as paper or cardboard.

Rearrange the toys in the cage.

Move the cage to a different place in the room. Move the cage about once a week, or whenever they show signs of nesting.

If the birds are let out of the cage, do not let them get in any dark cozy places.

If there is no metal floor grate, then do not use any bedding or paper in the cage tray – leave it bare and clean it daily.

If the hen continues to lay eggs anyway, then you may have to take her to an Avian Vet for a hormone implant or shot. The implant seems to be more effective and lasts longer.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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