|
|
Newbie
Jul 22, 2015 5:40:01 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by tj1209 on Jul 22, 2015 5:40:01 GMT -5
Hi I'm a new quaker owner as of last weekend. Still getting used to each other and figuring out things. I've seen totally opposite views on weather to force your quaker out of his cage or let him come out on his own. Anyone want to talk about that?
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Jul 22, 2015 6:20:58 GMT -5
Normally, I don't think it's advisable to force a parrot to do anything. You get your relationship off to a bad start. They are smart, sensitive, and expect to be treated pretty much as equals. They're not looking for a boss. Natural curiosity will bring them out of their cages on their own time. All that said, I did have to force my Quaker out of his cage. But he was 21 and had been cage-bound for years. I only did it because he needed to see a vet, and that was after I'd had him for seven months. Welcome to the forum.  How old is your Quaker? Do you know his history? |
|
|
|
Newbie
Jul 22, 2015 6:35:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by tj1209 on Jul 22, 2015 6:35:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the info/advice. My Quaker, his name is Levi, is 16 weeks. He was a rescue from San Antonio rescue group. Today is a new day and I will treat him as equal. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Jul 22, 2015 7:34:56 GMT -5
You're very welcome. The trick with parrots is to make them want to do what you want them to do, with positive reinforcement. You can build an incredible bond with a bird. If you have any questions as you go along, there are plenty of people here happy to help.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaron on Jul 22, 2015 10:53:16 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Levi!
I will second what Easttex has said-- don't force your Quaker out of the cage. They don't appreciate being forced to do anything, and if they feel they are habitually being forced to do things, it will almost certainly lead to behavioral issues eventually. Like Easttex said, the trick is making them want to do what you want them to do.
Thank you for rescuing Levi-- always appreciative to hear of rescue stories. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and keep us posted on how things progress!
|
|
|
|
Post by tj1209 on Jul 22, 2015 18:52:31 GMT -5
Can't thank you both enough for the advice. I've made Levi a promise that we are starting fresh and won't go back to that kind of treatment. I'll have more time this weekend to spend with him just the two of us. Today while I was at work he played with his toys for the first time and ate his fresh green beans in the dish in his cage for the first time. I'm thinking this will be a great relationship. For now I'm going to sit with the door to his cage open and work on showing him he can trust me. I knew in my heart that this is the way I wanted to be with him and read something online that told me differently. That's why I joined the forum.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Jul 22, 2015 19:41:39 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Levi! It does work well when you let a parrot decide when he wants to come out of his cage. While you're sitting by Levi's cage, talk softly to him. Tell him how happy you are that he's part of your "flock" and that you want him to be happy too. You might read aloud to Levi too. All this will help Levi get used to you and the sound of your voice. You might also attach a hanging perch to the outside of Levi's cage, just below the door, to give him a comfortable place to stand when he wants to come out. He might decide just to sit on that perch for a while and study his surroundings-- that's often a first step before a parrot is ready to venture farther from his cage. |
|
|
|
Post by tj1209 on Jul 23, 2015 20:52:22 GMT -5
Cnyguy, I will do just that. Talk softly and tell him lots of sweet things. He seems much calmer now and acts like he wants to come out. Still hasn't come out but I definitely like your idea of a perch outside the door of the cage. I sat today with the door open and spoke to him then reached in and offered him some banana and some grape. He loves to listen to Jazz and liked when I whistled to him. He's so cool and I know he'll be coming out soon.
|
|
|
|
Newbie
Jul 24, 2015 3:22:39 GMT -5
Post by biteybird on Jul 24, 2015 3:22:39 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Levi! The others are spot on with the advice. I'm sure you two will be great together.
|
|
|
|
Newbie
Jul 26, 2015 8:09:54 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by tj1209 on Jul 26, 2015 8:09:54 GMT -5
Well I had some time to watch Levi alone yesterday and with the door open he came out and climbed to the top. After about 30 minutes I started to wonder how will I get him back in. Ultimately I had to grab him to get him back in and I'm not sure it was a good experience. My other challenge is that I have two small dogs that are very curious so when it's time for Levi to come out we go in a safe dog free room. Today I'm trying to get him on one of his toys to get him out and then back in.
|
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Jul 26, 2015 8:56:16 GMT -5
That will get a lot easier once he learns the step up and down. That's the first thing you should teach him. In the meantime, if you can't tempt him back in with a treat, or wait him out, try placing a light hand towel over him, including his head. This almost always has a calming effect and you can carefully put him back in without the drama of a chase or a quick grab.
If he's just refusing to get on your hand, but not flying off, you can also try offering one hand to step up on while bringing the second hand around to his rear. If necessary, you can gently encourage a forward motion with the second hand, but he may want to move away from that hand without any push.
|
|
|
|
Newbie
Aug 1, 2015 17:00:47 GMT -5
via mobile
aaron likes this
Post by tj1209 on Aug 1, 2015 17:00:47 GMT -5
Thought I would update everyone on Levi's progress so far. Sunday will mark two weeks that we have had him and he seems to be more and more comfortable with me. He still wants nothing to do with my finger when it comes to "step up" but will get up on his orbital when I use that so I keep telling him the command so maybe some day he'll feel comfortable with my finger. I've been opening his cage and he goes to the top and plays with his toys. I play with him and talk to him and when it's time to go back in I use his orbital and no stress at all. He keeps trying to fly off the top but since he's clipped he just falls to the floor. Really loving this guy.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Aug 1, 2015 19:12:42 GMT -5
It sounds like things are going well with you and Levi. Step-ups can take time to master. It took Ralph a couple weeks before he'd step directly onto my hand. We used a spare perch for the first two weeks or so; he'd step right onto that without hesitating. Keep working on it, and you'll probably have Levi perched on your finger soon. |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Aug 1, 2015 23:45:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. It sounds like you are going very well with him.
|
|
|
|
Newbie
Aug 2, 2015 20:07:31 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Aug 2, 2015 20:07:31 GMT -5
Glad to hear things are going so well for you and Levi! Very good stuff. Keep us posted!
|
|
How old is your Quaker? Do you know his history?
