Pet Forum / Birds / Parrots / April 2005

My hen (Poppy) is at least three years old, my cock (Crackers) about 1.5
years old. Lately they have both become very territorial about "the bird
room" and have been walking around on the floor in there at every chance
they get. Both have been guarding a spot in the corner of the room
underneath a footstool. I've seen Poppy come out from under there, chasing
Crackers out. Currently both of them are biting our feet when we go in
there.

Last night I moved the footstool, much to Poppy's chagrin, to find that
she'd laid an egg under there. Poppy's laid eggs before without much
fanfare, made sure she had her calcium and a varied diet (which they both
have). We'd get a clutch of three eggs or so in her cage which she would
ignore. Some time after the eggs stopped, we would dispose of them. Poppy
couldn't have cared less.

This is the first time I've witnessed an egg outside of the cage. I have
moved the egg into Poppy's cage (they are caged separately) and "showed" it
to her, but she's still going under the footstool and both of them consider
my feet to be their mortal enemy.

Anyone with any salient advice here would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe