Feeling like a bad mom...

[Mikaela]

Big bird, 3 yrs old, been my baby about a week. He is a scared fella and I have never dealt with this. I always end up with lungers, not runner.

Anyway, I play with Baby and Peaches, as always, then I look over at Big Bird watching and it makes me sad. Actually ALMOST started crying yesterday.

Is he thinking, she doesnt love me but she sure seems to love my friends? She only talks to me but doesnt make me run around the cage to step up, why doesnt she hold me?

I just feel emotional and guilty that he isnt ready to 'fall in soldier'. He is a scared baby. He just recently stopped trembling when I sit and talk to him.

He loves to hear 'You are my sunshine' very low... in a childlike whisper.

My question is:

How long should Big Bird be given before I begin step up or any other form of taming/training? He runs from me, bless his heart. I dont know what to do with a running bird, just a mean bitey one.

I have had him since Wednesday and compared to my other babies, I feel like he is being neglected, though I know I am doing the right thing in this moment.

Take my guilt away is what I suppose Im asking you to do, if you cut out all of the sugar coated bullshit. Tell me Im doing right or wrong and a time frame to just leave him be.

Thanks and in the meantime, I'll try not to be upset about it.

He and Baby did 'kiss kiss' this morning with Baby on my finger and Big bird on his cage door. He let Baby kiss him, its me he isnt so sure of.

He is the boss around here already though. He puts Baby off the stand when Baby tries to win rank. He is like 'phft, punk what are you thinking, notice how big I am'?

[Dani03]

Don't feel bad Mik...that's just how things are with a new fid.

Glad to hear that he and Baby get along...

Dani

[Mikaela]

Yeah, they beak match but Baby, surprisingly backs down. Thats nature I guess, wow he is a lot bigger than Baby.

Baby has a type A personality so he is center stage at all times, in peoples (his wife Peaches and friend Big Birds) faces all the time wanting to play or kiss.

The other two just look at him, then at me like 'dont they make something to calm his **** down ma'? He is really on my last nerve!

Baby is NEVER stationary for more than a split second. Every other bird I have ever had just sits. Eats. Poos... exists.

I raised Baby from a chick so he is like his mama.

OFF DA HOOK MAN.

[Bird crazy]

If you can you may try giving him different foods until you find one he loves and then use that to lure him to come to you to get it. I know he likes peanuts but might try grapes or sweet green peas. My Nila will do anything for sweet green peas and Priya loves peanuts. So if thy give me a hard time I can use those things along with shelled sunflower seeds. The hard part will be waiting to see what food he gets really attached to. But then he'd be coming to you on his own terms.

[CatsChair]

Think he will come around just fine; it is hard to be patient. Even my house is a bit crazed this time of year and I live alone (well no other humans). However, I just found myself calmly telling Magellan that if she kept chewing on the mouse cord, Santa would not come. she did not look the least bit worried! Once all the festivity and mirth is over, and everything knocks down a peg, it may be different with Sun-Son. Don't really think he is jealous of you, just trying to figure out what is going on. Patience, my dear... (easy to preach, hard to do). Cheers,

[Lauren]

Patience and persistance.

Yoda only just yesterday let me hold him after I saved him from the kitchen sink full of dishwashing water. I gave him a bath and used my hair dryer to warm him up. Was the tamest yet. I guess they have to get used to the idea that your not going to harm them in any way. Friend not enemy.