u/AlyM797

First of all, I do have an appointment with the vet this month. I explained the situation and her vet has not deemed it an emergency so we'll see him on the 19th. But I want to do what I can to try and help her now.

In the last months or so Sarge has slowly ate less and less of her normal food, she's been on Roudybush her whole life (9 yrs). It's got to the point she really only nibbles on it and had definitely lost weight because of it. All other behavior is relatively normal given it's hormone season. That said, she still has an appetite, she regularly demands treats and snacks and devours them happily. So I don't think it's illness.

I've tried withholding treats or reducing them (it's mostly Nutri-berries which I make her forage for, occasionally some almonds) and it doesn't help, she just screams and cries more. Recently I ordered Harrison's large food and gave them as new treats. She was excited at first but lost interest in a few days, I think it's just too hard for her. I caught her trying to dunk it in water, it didn't seem to satisfy her.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is there another yummy food that I can offer as treats, basically to trick her into healthy food? Something that comes in a big size.

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u/AlyM797 — 9 days ago

I know Quakers are territorial by nature. This isn't actually my first hormone season with her. I've had her for 9 years, but this last year has been our best since she was a baby, we were in a rough situation for the last 6 years. Last summer we moved out and got a new place and a fresh start. Just that alone improved her (and my) mood. For 2 years we worked on her not being afraid of hands and touch. I can now cuddle, (mindful of nono areas) hold and pick up my bird again. I can pick her up hold her upside down and shout **chicken butt** so she laughs like a maniac.

It's been an amazing year for us! Included is that she had been letting me put food and water and treats in her cage without attacking or biting. A miracle, I know. Anyway about a week or so ago all of a sudden she started biting and attacking again. Today she bit so hard I dropped her water bowl, mind you she asked for water and even kept demanding it after.

So, is this normal? I know she's hormonal because I caught her underfluffies where they shouldn't be doing what they shouldn't be doing a couple times. Will this likely improve later in the year?

u/AlyM797 — 13 days ago