Hi
I have a TAG called alucard over the last few months he has started to chew the feathers on his chest  and I don't understand why because nothing has changed. When my partner first got him he didn't have much feathers on his chest becuase he came from such terrible conditions, but they have been fine up untill the last few months.
He also seems qute grumpy latley he keeps attacking my partner he has bitten her quite nastly over the last few days and when ever she is walking around the house he dives on to her and starts to bite her head. I have no idea why he is doing this and neither does she. Obviously she is upset by this, as I mentioned above nothing has changed for him to be like this. Does anyone have any ideas? or had this problem before?

Kayleigh

Usually with a change like what you are describing, it's put down to hormones. I know some of my most cuddly birds dont want to be handled when they are feeling a bit nesty.  How old is your timneh?

We are not sure as she brought him from a run down pet shop (which was later closed down by the RSPCA) about 8 years ago. To be honest he has never been that friendly anyway he does not like be touched as he goes to bite staight away or just says "stop it" he has been fine with me and still comes and sits with me plays and follows me round the house. He just seems to have a problem with her.

kayleigh

Thought I would chip in here because this post seems to be slowing but I had the same problem with my TAG (no longer with us now) but he did not like my wife with a vengeance and nothing would change that, problem I now have is Danny, a CAG, has recently joined us and my wife has had a really "good feeling" about him until this morning, he bit her and quite severely with malice, this has really upset me as I do not want him t become "my bird" (he seems to love me and I can do almost anything with him!) I suspect he may be a she and he maybe hormonal, lot of lovey actions towards me, so this may be a point to consider but would like any advice on how to handle this. Cheers.

The poster I believe has recently taken on a CAG as a friend for her TAG (hope Im not getting mixed up here lol), be good to see actually hows things are progressing?

RE: your problem, if he has chosen you then unfortunately there is very little you will be able to do and change it.  Most CAG's will choose their favourite person, and have very little interaction with others then.  I do have a couple that will go to anyone, but these I've found are few and far between.  You could try letting your wife do the feeding, and treat giving for a while, see if that helps, but I suspect he's found his friend and thats is hun x

hi kayliegh,

 my TAG belle was exactly the same during the silly season....but this  carried on became a habbit.....

it got to the point if anyone came in the house she/he would just dive bomb and bite them......

belle is approx 8 and i tried loads of things even hormone injections...

the only thing that has calmed belle down was having her wings clipped...there almost back now and she can fly a little, and she's still behaving.

this worked with  parky too also a TAG on rehoming list.....he actually lets the other half fuss him now .

i've heard of a lot of TAG's being 1 person birds  little buggers lol...but ya gotta love em x

 Ouch Nigel - I bet she cursed you lol  It may be that she can get to the point of having some sort of relationship with the bird, but not the same as yours. From the sound of it, he will never be like he is with you with her, but she may be able to at least handle him.  For the shredding, having you thought of giving him some boxes and paper to chew up? May help to distract him from his feathers for a while x

Posted By Mandy on 12 Mar 2010 12:45 PM

 Ouch Nigel - I bet she cursed you lol  It may be that she can get to the point of having some sort of relationship with the bird, but not the same as yours. From the sound of it, he will never be like he is with you with her, but she may be able to at least handle him.  For the shredding, having you thought of giving him some boxes and paper to chew up? May help to distract him from his feathers for a while x

Must admit Dee, my other half has been very understanding, at least without feathers Danny cannot bomb her like Dorkins used to, she used to have to sit with something on her head when he was out! but Danny will still take food from her etc so maybe won't be too bad. Have given him loads of shredding material since he joined us but it's only recently he's decided to make use of it especially early in the morning before he gets up, it has helped with feather plucking but he is looking a bit ragged at the moment!