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I have a six year old female lovebird, when she started slightly picking a few years ago she went straight to the vet and given a clean bill of health. It's a brooding issue as she's trying to feather her nest and shreds paper and feeds her favorite toys. I've tried limiting light hours, to no avail, I've tried giving her more things to shred or less, nothing seems to stop the brooding behavior. Her picking isn't too bad, but I hate that she's picking at all to feather a non-existent nest! I've tried different toys, but she only seems to take an interest in what she can use for her either nesting or feeding behavior.
She's the only lovebird in a room with some other birds, most of the other birds have "buddies," not mates, but have alliances with a few other birds they socialize with when out, etc. Sometimes they do get broody and shred paper too and territorial and yes, even fly at my head, but it's okay, because to me their overall health and happiness is most important so if I can't be there 24 hours a day, I like them to have friends and when they are in good moods, I can still hug them. The room is right off our kitchen and we live in a loft, and work from home, so the birds are pretty much around us all day. My lovebird doesn't get along with anyone else.......she just keeps to herself nesting.....all the time.
I tried calling several places and some stated this just happens with female lovebirds, one crazy idea given was to give her surgery to remove her ovaries (over my dead body)......I myself have told people repeatedly in the past that getting your bird a mate, won't guarantee they will like each other and solve the problem, but I'm at my wits end that I'm even considering getting her a boyfriend or a girlfriend lovebird at this point (I never intend to mate any, figured I could just pull the eggs or give them dummy eggs and she might be happy playing house? or maybe get her an older retired unproductive breeder boyfriend?) I just want her to be happy and knowing how social birds are, I find it disturbing she's not connecting with the other little birds but seems obsessive about nesting.
She eats a great diet, sprouts, fresh veggies, fruits, home cooked stuff and some seed mix. She's allowed out to fly around (not daily, but several days a week,) and fully flighted (which she seems to enjoy,) but I hate that she has no friends. She's only started occasionally laying eggs this year and I'm also afraid of her getting an infection from all the regurgitating she's doing around her cage......it's gross.

Get her a bird bath attachment to her cage. Keep it filled with fresh water. I keep mine in the same spot I use to have her nest box in. I put it up when she gets broody, she jumps in thinking its the nest box and gets all wet. She will splash around in the water for while and then comes out and preens all day. Seems to have worked for me you might want to give it a try.

Sure she still gets nasty at me during feeding time (lunges at the space when I take her food dish out) but she gets over it and looks better for it (because of all the baths she is taking) Also this cuts down on her over-preening.

Good Luck,
Dutch

ohhhh! That's an idea I haven't tried before! Question though.....she never had a nestbox, she just uses the cage, shreds paper, makes her toys her mates (regurgitates all over them,) and weaves things together.....does it matter WHERE the bath goes? She does have a fairly large stainless steel water bowl she bathes in, but maybe the extra bath will be more exciting to her?
Also, should I take away stuff she gets broody with? and make it harder to do things like shred paper? Here's the thing I'm confused about; many people suggest that you give the bird things to shred, etc. when they are picking, but if they are broody, isn't the shredding encouraging the broody behavior? And if she makes her toys her mates, should I take those away? I was under the impression that animals have the drive to reproduce when the conditions are right, so I'm not sure how you stop a happy bird from having the urge?

She should be off the paper to begin with, and have a grate on the bottom of the cage. And yes I agree she should have toys but I refrain from things that she can make into a nest. As for the bird bath, it should be the kind that attaches to the outside of the cage (like a nest box) not necessarily a nest box. There should be a slider or spot where to put one on a love bird cage, if not check out what types of bird baths are available in your area and then cut some bars to accommodate one.

I'll see if I can take a picture of my set up for single hens, I have a couple of them (that didn't adjust well to the colony and I've placed in separate cages) Will have to wait till one of my sons comes home from college and do the digital camera thing. But the bath I use is actually plastic and she can see out of it.

As for reproducing, she will bond to a mate (bird or human) and think that is the one to mate with. But there is no evidence that they will ever lay an egg or anything. Reproduction in a bird is more complex then just "hormones" as some people are lead to believe. And yes they do reproduce when conditions are "correct" but the equation is more developed than just that also. Lunar schedules, length of day to night, type of food, access to food source, type of food (wet warm food that is easily taken into the crop) humidity, and so many more....

I know exactly the kind of bird bath you're talking about.....I always wondered about them. I use stainless steel water dishes in all my bird's cages since they can be thoroughly sanitized For the smaller birds, the stainless steel dishes are large enough to bath in.....but I see how the bath that she can climb into can be enticing. I'm not sure how to change the conditions of the room to make it less of a love nest? They have tons of natural sunlight which I know when there are longer daylight hours encourages nesting, but it's fall now and when I do try to cover their cages, it just seems it makes them into giant nestboxes for some(probably because they are allowed out to fly around?) And I've noticed since we've moved here how beneficial the direct sunlight is........their feathers actually glow brighter with color from the sun, especially in the summer when it's not even through glass-so there are benefits, it can't be all bad. I have an older travel cage that's the right size for a large parrot......should I try her in that? Would more room make her more active?
I'll take everything she can shred out of the cage.......what kind of toys do you suggest? She's also feeding some plastic toys, I just looked and she's regurgitating to a yellow plastic tree thingy, and then I can't tell if she's nibbling it back up, it's pretty gross. I clean their cages with water and white vinegar to disinfect, sometimes I use GSE, but I still worry about bacteria when she's doing this. I understand conditions have to be perfect for the drive to reproduce, but she seems to ALWAYS be nesting. Why do you supposed she doesn't get along with anyone else? Is this common for female lovebirds?

The stainless steel ones reflect in the bowl and sometimes causes them to think/see another bird in there so I avoid them all together, preferring my birds to bathe in the bird bath rather than the water bowl. Also in the colony I use water bottles instead of bowls anyway so she is use to that.

Birds being amorous to other birds especially different species is a romantic and humanistic to think but not realistic. They will bond but not in that way. As for cross species colonies (as in those promulgated by Paul Lobe famous TV & Movie role animal trainer) it is not really suggested (I.A.W.- A.F.A.) and can cause more problems then what it might be worth esthetically (as in Paul's movies) and be quite dangerous.

I still stick with 10 hours down time, cages completely covered and blackened out. And do allow them to fly everyday once I uncover them and have my morning coffee. It is always such a treat to bring out the soft net and catch them all and return them to their cages and or colony, but they so enjoy it, as well do I.

A note about some of the new E Glass windows, they do filter out the beneficial rays of the sun as well as make it a better insulating window. Sometimes you have to be careful about what kind of glass you have in your bird room. The old fashioned ones work just great. When I remodeled my home and built on the Florida room (what those of us in Michigan call a screened in porch family room that faces south to catch the suns rays) I kept the old windows from the house and incorporated it into the Florida room so they had good sun effect.

The size of her cage should not do anything to bring her into brood, it might be all the "other causes" that are prevalent. I personally have my non-brooding birds on what we call a maintenance diet, that is pellets-some seed, and cold fresh fruits and vegs. If you warm them up that might be something that causes them to store in their crop and wanting to feed "others." Avoid pastas and creamy things as this is also custom made for crop insertion. Remember its when the crop is full that your bird "will want to feed others." Storage of extra food and carrying around that food makes for some messy occurrences.

I'm not a big fan of using vinegar for anything around a bird. Vinegar is acid and it is extremely unhealthy for a bird to come in contact with any forms of acid. I use Brinesa for all my disinfecting but only after I take the cages and etc.. outside and power-wash everything down with "high heat" and then I spray on the Brinesa and then completely power-wash it off after an appropriate time frame has passed (in order for the agent to work on the bacteria, fungus, and other biotic that might be present in an aviary) I've had 28 straight swab tests (2 a year) come back negative so that's something that I continuously work on in my aviary, a record that I am very proud of. You can never be too careful when it comes to health and safety of your birds.

Changing out the toys is a normal process to not only wash and clean them correctly (toss them in the dishwasher) but also it changes out boredom. I make all my own toys so I have buckets of material that I combine and see what works with each one. Once you get the right pattern or color stick with it until they get bored then change it out. Ya I know lots of bells and things that go ting ting, but its nice to hear them playing from another room and when its all silent then I know something is wrong.

And for my last comment, most brooding hens will not get along with anybody! Nevertheless pick out somebody that they like or dislike. Sounds to me that she is just a confused little girl that is going through some change or circumstance in her normal pattern that will take time to adjust. They are very pattern conscience birds and any offset will require patience and understanding to conform. Bear with her and remember she is just a (my favorite saying) Hamster with wings, not too particularly intelligent but lovable as they get. Her main instinct is to survive, and survive she will. Enjoy her as well as the other gifts God has given you.

Dutch

PurpleHeart wrote:Birds being amorous to other birds especially different species is a romantic and humanistic to think but not realistic. They will bond but not in that way. As for cross species colonies (as in those promulgated by Paul Lobe famous TV & Movie role animal trainer) it is not really suggested (I.A.W.- A.F.A.) and can cause more problems then what it might be worth esthetically (as in Paul's movies) and be quite dangerous.

-I agree to some extent, but I didn't intentionally try to get anyone to bond to anyone else to be romantic, they just did. Despite some being former retired breeders, they are all just treasured pets. I agree, it can be dangerous and despite my female amazon being absolutely bonded to my male ringneck, they are not allowed out at the same time, but that doesn't stop her from having a melt down when he's out flying around with out her, calling insistently until he flies back in the room to land on her cage. I would prefer the birds had companionship of their own species, but I do have an older retired breeder amazon and my female could care less. I only want to take on what I can handle so getting two or more of everyone (depending on how they socialize) just isn't an option.

Unfortunately, they are pets, and like many pet owners, it wasn't really presented to me when I first adopted my birds, in fact, I'm pretty sure information on which birds prefer the company of their own species (like greys) versus which birds are more apt to socialize with different species (like South American species conures or macaws,) isn't really presented to the average pet owner, since the concept of making them bond to a human involves perversion of the natural bond they would have to another bird. How sad for a cockatoo or macaw that thinks a human is it's mate. How selfish of us?

And I'm guessing many pet owners adopt birds THEY want, not companions for their pets. It's too bad though, it would be nice if people could make the choices based on their preference as well as the birds well being.........despite being bonded to one another, I still have a good relationship with my birds and it's nice, because I can get busy or go on vacation without worrying that they feel their world is ending. I think if most people realized what it took to keep a bird happy, not just tame for our amusement, fewer people would purchase them. With birds potential longevity, I think it's an overlooked important issue. I'll bet a pair of cockatoos is less likely to pick or have behavior problems if they were allowed to bond and hang out with each other when their owner gets a new job or new baby than a single bird who's whole life is dependent on a human being?

I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to respond and give advice. It was helpful and I'm taking everything into account to help my lovebird.

I didn't mean to single you out at all, just my standard boiler plate response when it comes to colonies where different species are involved. No offense I hope. Some people on here purposely cross breed some species in order to develop some sort of designer breeds (note I didn't say designer species) ha ha ha. Sort of making the bird match their curtains or drapes etc..

And I know from your writing that in deed you have your hands full of rescues (as I do myself) brought on by this economy. My only hope is that these people do not buy birds when they get back on their feet and opt for something easier like cats or dogs, but then again? Maybe they should stay out owning a pet to being with?

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours,

Sincerely
Dutch

No offense taken. I was happy to hear an alternative as I'm not looking to add any new birds, but am frustrated by my bird's broody behavior. Sometimes you forget stuff and need a refresher and sometimes just one new suggestion can make the world of difference. I'm not taking in rescues or planning on it, these birds are just my pets. I was perfectly happy to adopt an older birds, they're great and I wish more people weren't brainwashed suckers that they feel like when they want to adopt a bird they have to have a baby bird. People are foolishly missing out on some really great animals! And no I would never cross breed, because I would never breed, the world if full of wonderful animals that already need a home. If you can't make it work with a rescue bird, you probably shouldn't have a bird because they are so high maintenance.