Scared of a hormonal bird

**AJR** · 03-30-2010, 07:53 PM

I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about parakeets.

I know this pretty premature but I keep reading about the budgies getting hormonal after 6 months. That they will masturbate on toys (or you!), scream, get possessive of their domain or their favorite person, and regurgitate.

What do you do?!

I'm a little worried about a tiny horn ball who will try to masturbate on my toes!

Any advice for when that time comes?

**4keets** · 03-30-2010, 08:20 PM

I just laugh at my boy. He was always doing his toy. We tired of the bell ringing. I moved the toy across the cage, no more bell ringing!

**AJR** · 03-30-2010, 08:22 PM

So if he's doing it to a toy, you just move it to a less hump-able place?

**pixibubbles** · 03-31-2010, 03:30 PM

if you have a girl i would personally do everything you can to dissuade her. Eggs for no reason are bad i tend to think- why risk all the problems they can cause if you're not breeding?

If it's a boy- well my lovie has a special toy that he uses. Adter he's had his Ducky time he's back to his usual wonderful self

**McDenny** · 03-31-2010, 04:57 PM

She might go through it, but you seem as though you are preparing yourself well enough to deal with it. It depends on the bird. It could be a very minor behavioral difference.

Anyhow, budgie bites don't hurt much. You could pick up a book on parrot behavior if you are really worried about it. Something by Mattie Sue Athan or Sally Blanchard.