Full Version: What To Expect From A Girl?
Well, the DNA sexing came back and we found out that we have a girl, and not a boy as we thought. Now that has me wondering if I should expect any differences in behavior. I ask because I always thought the males in the bird world were more likely to be talkers and show-offs. I also wonder if a female is more or less or maybe the same likelyhood to display cage agression. Any thoughts from those with more experience?
Congrats on your girl!
I can't speak from quaker experience, but obviously (duh!) girls lay eggs. From what I have read about qp's, that is pretty much the only reportable difference. I will let qp owners speak to that though!
So, speaking from experience with other parrots- with girls, you want to discourage egg laying as much as you can (temperature, lighting etc etc) because of getting hormonal. But mostly, because of the potential problems of egg binding etc etc. So, always, always make sure your birdie girl has good cuttlebone and calcium supplements, healthy diet etc etc. I have girls of other species around here who NEVER lay eggs, others who lay here and there seasonally and ones who never stop. So, I can tell you- that despite the best of management you just never can tell, so you want to make sure that nutrition is there in your fids diet. I would also educate myself about what to look for (squatting, straining etc etc) in case of binding as a back up. It can be serious if it happens and even though you do everything right, it CAN happen- though its not highly likely to. I assume you have a good connection to an avian vet, thus the dna sexing!
But, imho- don't let girls scare you off! In my experience with other species, they are just as much fun to be with!
J
I can't speak from quaker experience, but obviously (duh!) girls lay eggs. From what I have read about qp's, that is pretty much the only reportable difference. I will let qp owners speak to that though!
So, speaking from experience with other parrots- with girls, you want to discourage egg laying as much as you can (temperature, lighting etc etc) because of getting hormonal. But mostly, because of the potential problems of egg binding etc etc. So, always, always make sure your birdie girl has good cuttlebone and calcium supplements, healthy diet etc etc. I have girls of other species around here who NEVER lay eggs, others who lay here and there seasonally and ones who never stop. So, I can tell you- that despite the best of management you just never can tell, so you want to make sure that nutrition is there in your fids diet. I would also educate myself about what to look for (squatting, straining etc etc) in case of binding as a back up. It can be serious if it happens and even though you do everything right, it CAN happen- though its not highly likely to. I assume you have a good connection to an avian vet, thus the dna sexing!
But, imho- don't let girls scare you off! In my experience with other species, they are just as much fun to be with!
J
Females can talk every bit as well as a male; in fact my very best talking qauker was a female.
As far as cage aggression goes; they both show it. Quakers in general...well all pet birds for that matter What theirs is theirs but what's yours is also theirs...So get used to it... 
As far as cage aggression goes; they both show it. Quakers in general...well all pet birds for that matter
What theirs is theirs but what's yours is also theirs...So get used to it...
I need to find a good avian vet in my area. The one that is closest to me is apparently not taking on new clients, but I have not called them directly yet. Guess that is even more important now that we know she is a girl and may have some special needs.
By the way, when it was a he, he was known Chulo Verde. My wife now refers to our girl as "La chica Chulita Verde".
By the way, when it was a he, he was known Chulo Verde. My wife now refers to our girl as "La chica Chulita Verde".
QUOTE (rescuedfidsmommy @ Oct 13 2009, 04:04 PM) 
Congrats on your girl!
I can't speak from quaker experience, but obviously (duh!) girls lay eggs. From what I have read about qp's, that is pretty much the only reportable difference. I will let qp owners speak to that though!
So, speaking from experience with other parrots- with girls, you want to discourage egg laying as much as you can (temperature, lighting etc etc) because of getting hormonal. But mostly, because of the potential problems of egg binding etc etc. So, always, always make sure your birdie girl has good cuttlebone and calcium supplements, healthy diet etc etc. I have girls of other species around here who NEVER lay eggs, others who lay here and there seasonally and ones who never stop. So, I can tell you- that despite the best of management you just never can tell, so you want to make sure that nutrition is there in your fids diet. I would also educate myself about what to look for (squatting, straining etc etc) in case of binding as a back up. It can be serious if it happens and even though you do everything right, it CAN happen- though its not highly likely to. I assume you have a good connection to an avian vet, thus the dna sexing!
But, imho- don't let girls scare you off! In my experience with other species, they are just as much fun to be with!
J
I can't speak from quaker experience, but obviously (duh!) girls lay eggs. From what I have read about qp's, that is pretty much the only reportable difference. I will let qp owners speak to that though!
So, speaking from experience with other parrots- with girls, you want to discourage egg laying as much as you can (temperature, lighting etc etc) because of getting hormonal. But mostly, because of the potential problems of egg binding etc etc. So, always, always make sure your birdie girl has good cuttlebone and calcium supplements, healthy diet etc etc. I have girls of other species around here who NEVER lay eggs, others who lay here and there seasonally and ones who never stop. So, I can tell you- that despite the best of management you just never can tell, so you want to make sure that nutrition is there in your fids diet. I would also educate myself about what to look for (squatting, straining etc etc) in case of binding as a back up. It can be serious if it happens and even though you do everything right, it CAN happen- though its not highly likely to. I assume you have a good connection to an avian vet, thus the dna sexing!
But, imho- don't let girls scare you off! In my experience with other species, they are just as much fun to be with!
J
Girls are just as much fun as boys Make sure you read up on egg laying and the risks associated with it. Make sure you are aware of the signs of egg binding and how to handle those situations. Providing extra calcium enriched foods into her diet will help greatly to make sure if she ever lays an egg (and not all females do), that she'll have no problems with laying it. If she does lay eggs, don't provide a nest box, or any nesting material. Just let the egg sit on the bottom of the cage. She may become more aggressive at this time, but that's completely normal. Whatever you do, do NOT throw the eggs out until she is done laying and isn't showing any interest in them (this could take up to 4 weeks). By tossing out the eggs, it may trigger her to lay more to replace them.
Congrats on your girl
Make sure you read up on egg laying and the risks associated with it. Make sure you are aware of the signs of egg binding and how to handle those situations. Providing extra calcium enriched foods into her diet will help greatly to make sure if she ever lays an egg (and not all females do), that she'll have no problems with laying it. If she does lay eggs, don't provide a nest box, or any nesting material. Just let the egg sit on the bottom of the cage. She may become more aggressive at this time, but that's completely normal. Whatever you do, do NOT throw the eggs out until she is done laying and isn't showing any interest in them (this could take up to 4 weeks). By tossing out the eggs, it may trigger her to lay more to replace them.Congrats on your girl
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