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Post by Holly on Feb 20, 2017 4:50:02 GMT -5
Hi Everyone,
So Normy is going through some pretty major changes at the moment. He recently got a new cage, which he LOVES and we also added a new baby princess parrot, Elsie, to our family. I have just noticed over the last few days, Norms started to get a little nippy when I went to change his food dishes and then tonight we did not want to go to bed, this is usual for him, but instead of running around the top of his cage like he usually does, he turned a little feral and tried to bite me.
This is starting to seem like some patterns of cage aggression, which he has never even showed the smallest of small sign of before. So basically I want to nip this in the bud before it gets any worse.
What should I do, I have just started reading some stuff on the internet about it but I would love to hear some personal tricks or methods you have used to help with this.
Thank you so much!
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Post by easttex on Feb 20, 2017 15:15:41 GMT -5
I personally think this can be one of the harder things to address head on. It's one of those things that comes so naturally to them as colonial nesters, and to some extent it's best to try to respect their wishes. A lot of people find it easier to work around. If you think it's linked to hormones, you can try to manage it that way - 12-12 light/dark cycle, cut back on soft foods and a little on protein, no nesting opportunities, etc.
If it does go beyond hormones, I'd recommend something like target training so you can get him over to the other side of the cage long enough to get his dishes out and in.
As far as not wanting to go to bed, I found it very useful with my grey to not take her directly to the inside of her cage when I picked her up. We go on brief household tours or have some mirror admiration time. Just a few minutes was all it took. Even though I'm sure she knew it was just a way station, it gave her something to look forward to and solved that problem.
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Post by jenwade on Feb 20, 2017 16:18:24 GMT -5
One thing that I noticed with Lady, is that when we got her, she was already 2 1/2 and she was stick trained. Any time that she was moved from her cage or to her cage, she was moved with a stick, which was basically the same as a perch. She loves her stick and when she decides that she doesn't want to go to bed or get off of her cage top, she fusses with the stick instead of my hand. I am very thankful that Lady is not cage aggressive now, but before she and Pat were separated, they both were. Now, we can actually put them in and out of their cages with our hands, but I still prefer to use the stick to keep to routine and because of the rare instances of them deciding not to cooperate with bedtime. But I find that, aside from the stick training, a good routine works well. Lady has a bedtime that we stay fairly close to every night. And I uncover her cage about the same time every morning too. And I always tell her good morning and I warn her before putting her in her cage at night. It is so much like having a toddler it's amusing!
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Post by Holly on Feb 22, 2017 5:05:13 GMT -5
So today Normy was his lovely sweet self and I was starting to think I have invented this whole 'aggression' thing in my head until... bed time again. He did NOT want to go to bed which was really hard. He tried to bite again, luckily his bites are not really bites, he has never drawn blood and yes they hurt a little bit but nothing really. I tried to just ignore the behaviour and carry on with the bedtime routine such as turning the lights off and shutting the blinds but then its really hard to put him in his cage when he keeps trying to nip. Hopefully this is just a phase because I am not likely this new things every evening!
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Post by zim on Feb 22, 2017 5:22:28 GMT -5
Just a quick thought - with your new bird, which bird have you been putting to bed first? It could be that he isn't happy with a change of events, involving your new bird. Remember, Normy was there first, so his routine needs to stay the same. Your new bird has no expectations, so his routine should be crafted around Normy's.
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Post by Holly on Feb 22, 2017 15:33:20 GMT -5
I hadn't thought of that! You may be right...
I have been putting Eslie to bed first because I read somewhere, your original bird should be first for everything except bedtime, do you think that is right or should I continue to put Norms to bed first as per our normal routine?
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Post by zim on Feb 22, 2017 19:41:22 GMT -5
You could try putting Normy to bed first and see what happens. Also, try to think of there are any events leading up to bed time in which Normy might feel things have changed, or feel left out.
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Post by julianna on Feb 24, 2017 13:34:43 GMT -5
I know Oscar has cage aggression to everyone except me... guess because I am his partner. However, to this day whenever I change his food he will try the attack mode. Usually I can stop his with making kissing sounds and putting my face up closer to him. I do not know why he stops but he does.
I was wondering what time you put Normy to bed? Because the day light hours are changing maybe he needs to stay up a little longer? Do you go to bed when they go to bed? Just a thought. When I put Oscar to bed, I go to bed also. Course I lay there watching TV for a while. If I don't go to bed and close the door then Oscar will climb all around the cage trying to find me. In the mornings (I am an early bird) no matter what time I wake up when he figures out that it is me, he will start climbing down his cage and will try to peek out from under the covers. I know he wants out, so of course I take him out. This morning it was only 4:30 a.m. but he sat on my hand and had a little sleep while I watched a movie. I love when he does this. (this... being the quiet part... all cozy)
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