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Post by lutinosunshine on Jul 1, 2022 19:11:15 GMT -5
I can feed her millet from the twig but if I try to feed her a safflower seed she bites my fingers instead of the seed. Not like just trying to find the seed biting around my finger gently. No, she really bites into my finger hard. I stand there not reacting but it hurts. How do I get her to take the seed without biting the hands that is trying to feed her? She has been with me for almost a month now when out of the cage she comes close to where I am she eats the Millet seed while I hold it up to her. She gets excited when I talk to her and blow little kissesl but she really doesn't want to have any part of any physical contact so I want to target train her but I heard that if while training I hold up a whole Millet seed Branch Sunshine will think the whole branch is her treat and she would get frustrated when I take it away so I want to be able to feed her a safflower for target training but I don't want to get bit every time please give me some suggestions thank you. Shannon and Sunshine
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Post by cnyguy on Jul 1, 2022 19:55:50 GMT -5
Even after more than 50 years living with parrots, I haven't yet completely solved the problem of getting bit when offering treats. It's especially hard to avoid with small treats like sunflower seeds; sometimes a parrot will inadvertently chomp down on a finger when going for the treat. In your situation, I think time and patience will help. A month really isn't a lot of time to get to know each other and build a bond. You might want to stick with larger things to offer as treats and gradually work your way down to smaller ones. Eventually I imagine that Sunshine will cut back on the biting. Although you're not supposed to react after a bite, it can help to say a firm but gentle "no bite" or a simple "no" after a bite. That sometimes works but takes a lot of repetition and occasional slipups can be expected. I came up with a little game with Ralph to react to inadvertent bites. I tell him he can't eat my fingers because they're not edible, but whatever treat I'm offering is edible so he can eat that. A few usually gentle finger grabs follow before Ralph takes the offered treat.
I've never done target training and can't really offer any useful advice on that. If you want to use millet for a training treat, you could cut the sprays to smaller pieces rather than holding out a full-sized spray each time.
Maybe someone will come along with more suggestions for you.
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Post by lutinosunshine on Jul 2, 2022 6:47:36 GMT -5
Thank you for reminding me that we have the rest of our lives together and that a month is a blink of an eye in a QP's life. I will try to be more patient with myself and with her as we get to know each other better. I believe the suggestion of breaking the millet into smaller pieces will work if I make the pieces gradually smaller and smaller. I really appreciate this forum being here and the respect that everyone here seems to give the birds. I cannot believe how this little bird has stolen my heart to a point where I don't care if she never mimics a word or sound. I just want her to feel safe and close to her flock and I will give her more time to become that.
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Post by cnyguy on Jul 2, 2022 19:16:50 GMT -5
It sounds like you're determined to be a good Quaker parront. 😊 Especially with a new parrot, our enthusiasm takes over and we want things to progress as quickly as possible, but the parrots usually have ideas of their own. Things typically go easier when we let the parrots set the pace. In the case of adopted or rehomed parrots, a little extra patience may be needed. It took more than two years for Scooter, my adopted Grey, to really get settled in and feel comfortable. I often wanted to move things along faster and had to remind myself to be patient. I'm sure you'll have success with Sunshine and will have a good long-term relationship.
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Post by lutinosunshine on Jul 3, 2022 16:14:08 GMT -5
Thank you for your kind advice. You are correct I am so excited and thrilled to have this beautiful creature share her living space with me. I forget that when getting a new roommate I cannot be in their face 24/7 and expect them to hop to a routine that I am used to. Not what I like it if someone I just met kept shoving German chocolate cake in my face even if it is my favorite. I would not like to be rushed either. I will be more patient and let her come to me. I like it when she approaches me.
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