New owner! | Quaker Parrot Forum

ramin
Hatchling

Posts: 1

New owner! Jul 25, 2014 20:43:06 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by ramin on Jul 25, 2014 20:43:06 GMT -5

Hi guys, been reading this forum for a few months, excellent information by some excellent people!

3 weeks ago I picked up my new Quaker, Rambo, 7 months old! Beautiful little boy with a huge personality! (He's wings haven't been trimmed)

He's adjusted well to his cage, surroundings and us. I've bought him lots of toys and perches, he's constantly bouncing around! I feed him a seed mix, lots of vegetables and started introducing Zupreem natural pellets in the last few days, that I think he's starting to try.

I've been trying to train him to step up, but I find during the daytime if he's excited, if I put my hand in he will act scared, climb the bars and go to the corner or even play with his toys But in the evening when he's more calm, he will step up onto my finger and I reward him with millet spray.

Anyway, about a week ago I was changing his water and the door was slightly open, when in a flash, he jumped out and flew across the room and landed on the curtain rail. Luckily no windows or doors were open. I slowly approached him but he just flew back to the other side of the room and landed on the other curtain rail. This went on for about 20 minutes.

I eventually had to close the curtains, put the cage on the dining table until one time he flew into it and I quickly closed the door. This scenario has happened a few times and I have had to use the same method to get him back in the cage. He simply won't cooperate with me when he his outside.

Since then I haven't let him out, but I continue to do step ups with him as much as possible and he is doing okay.

Any advice on how I should continue? Any training techniques I should implement? Do I need to get him out of his cage/away from his toys in order for him to concentrate on training? If so, should I trim his wings to avoid him from flying away? Do I need more patience? I'd like him to have the freedom of being outside his cage, but I also want him to respond to me.

Your advice will be much appreciated!

Ramin.

Sharyn and Mr P
Top Bird/Chief Slave

Posts: 555

New owner! Jul 25, 2014 20:55:36 GMT -5

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Post by Sharyn and Mr P on Jul 25, 2014 20:55:36 GMT -5

The subject of wing clipping is a very delicate one and everyone has an opinion.

My personal thought on this is, wing clipping is not permanent. So, in order to aid with training, for some birds it might work well to keep them clipped. Once you have bonded and he chooses to spend time with you then you could let his feathers grow back.

Once the feathers grow back, they can fly like nothing ever happened.

For my house and my quaker, ceiling fans (I live in FL) are a major concern to me as I have them on all the time and I have one in just about every room.

I keep Mr P's wings clipped out of fear for his safety.

cnyguy
Senior Forum Manager

Posts: 2,272

New owner! Jul 25, 2014 21:58:50 GMT -5

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Post by cnyguy on Jul 25, 2014 21:58:50 GMT -5

It is usually recommended by parrot behaviorists to take the parrot away from his/her cage for training; they usually recommend "neutral territory" where the parrot won't be possessive of anything and will be free of distractions (like their toys).

As Sharyn pointed out, a wing clipping isn't permanent. It sometimes helps with attitude problems and can help to keep the parrot in one place during training sessions. My QP Ralph is often unclipped, only because when the time comes to get his wings trimmed again, he always begins molting. There doesn't seem to be much point in clipping feathers that will soon be shed, so I hold off on the clipping until the molt is done.

easttex
Top Bird/Chief Slave

Posts: 2,410

New owner! Jul 26, 2014 6:22:20 GMT -5

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Post by easttex on Jul 26, 2014 6:22:20 GMT -5

As Sharyn said, there are different opinions on clipping, and I respect everyone's decision, but I don't recommend using it as a first resort. You've only had him for three weeks, and training takes time. He's still learning about his new environment. The most important thing you can do right now is to make sure he is safe when he is out. Definitely take him to a room he is not familiar with. You'll have much more of his attention, and you can start to train him to want to come to you. The best way I know is through positive reinforcement, even for small approximations of the behavior you want. For example, set him down on a bed and when he turns to you, reward him and do that repeatedly. Then, wait until he takes a step toward you, and reward that. Gradually increase what he must do to get the reward. Keep the sessions short, but repeat them several times a day if you can. Use his favorite treat, and don't give it to him outside of training sessions. Don't get frazzled, even when he doesn't cooperate. They can learn to enjoy creating drama. That's my recommendation, anyway.

Quaker Peppy (RIP my sweet pea), CAG Allie, dogs Wanda and Bonnie, feral kitties Cleo and Antoinette, mice Charlotte and Emily, née Jake and Elwood

Caseysmom
Top Bird/Chief Slave

Posts: 842

New owner! Jul 26, 2014 8:05:21 GMT -5

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Post by Caseysmom on Jul 26, 2014 8:05:21 GMT -5

Welcome to the forum to both you and Rambo, yes wing clipping can be controversial, but I agree with Sharyn, you would have more control over training and it would be safer for Rambo if you clipped his wings for now. Just until he gets used to your house and to you. We do clip Casey's wings too for safety but like Gary said they are continually growing and there are times she has all her flights. Eastex also makes a good point, training is best done away from the cage, in another room. Sounds like you and Rambo are going to have lots of fun getting to know each other!

Casey