Tent for my Eclectus

[ajlinva]

I have a 5 yr old female Eclectus, she has allways been very quiet and very rarely plays with any of her toys. I read somewhere, (can't remember where) that the females enjoy having a place where they can feel secluded and private, so I purchased her a tent. Well, she absolutely loves it, and I am worried that she loves it a little to much, since she stays in there most of the time! Her cage is open most of the day so she can come out whenever she wants. Yesterday, I went by her cage and she was turned sideways in it and flapping her wings. It just worries me that she is spending to much time in there laying down, can this be healthy for her? We have had her for 2 1/2 years.

Edited September 19, 2011 by ajlinva

[Codys Mom]

maybe that was not a good idea , I was always told not to give any female parrot and tent or a snuggle hut because it will only encourage them to lay eggs and now she has the perfect spot to lay her eggs , thats another reason why I try to adopt male parrots not female if I can but I have a female ringneck and no tents or snuggy huts for her

[birdhouse]

maybe that was not a good idea ,...now she has the perfect spot to lay her eggs

 

I'd second that. Kura can be extremely hormonal, anyway. I'd be afraid to offer her the added incentive of such an attractive hidey hole. :eek:

 

She has her roost instead. It's a heavy, twisty branch that comes down from the top then curves back thru both sides of the corner of her cage. I think it creates the feeling of a protected space because it's pretty solid & it surrounds her.

 

Even though she's still relatively visible if you know where to look, she loves to "disappear" back there. So she gets her hidey hole, but there isn't any way she should be able to take it for any kind of possible nesting area. Which is perfect because I really don't want to be giving her any ideas!

 

Very pretty girl btw. What's her name?

[judygram]

I have to agree with the others and especially since she is a female, she is spending entirely too much time in that tent, I kind of like Val's idea of a perch that provides some sense of a protected space but I am sure you will figure out a way to provide that for her without giving her something she can make a nest out of.

[ajlinva]

Thank you both for the input! I figured that since the way she was acting that it was a mistake. I did find where I read it though, it was "Bird Talk" magazine. She also does lay eggs from time to time, and has laid one since getting the tent. Guess I will have to take it and give it to one of the boys! Would love to find her a branch like you are talking about Birdhouse, do you remember where it came from? Her name is Scarlett. Thanks again

[Gwen]

I have a male CAG but made my own hiding place... A rope perch up high in his cage in the back corner. I hung a 5" wall of toys in front of the perch and he goes up there to hide. All i see is a red tail & if i look, i can see one eyeball starring out between the toys. He absolutely loves it & naps up there during the day. I also tried it w/ my female tiel & she loves it too. I believe all birds need a hidey hole in a big open cage to make them feel secure !!! I suggested it to my daughter who has a female tiel & hers loves it too. No expense just placement of toys.

[birdhouse]

It isn't anything special. It's a big natural branch which I'm guessing is Java wood. But it could be stripped Manzanita or Dargonwood. It's just that it's the right shape.

 

I think a lot of birds benefit from having an extra private space, too. So that's how I usually set up the cages.

 

But Eclectus females can tend naturally to be more skittish & shy. So w/her, I'm looking for that fine line between providing security w/o fostering any natural antisocial tendencies.

 

So far, it seems to be working out well. I've had Kura for about 4 yrs but she's about the same age as Scarlett. She's gotten to where I really think she's pretty well adjusted for any parrot, let alone a female ekkie w/a slightly dismal past.