I researched and interviewed the breeder I got him from who said he had been fully weaned for a little over a month and because she had other birds still hand-feeding he hadn't gotten as much attention and made sure I knew he would take a little time. Well after getting Sukha he was anxious but settled down nicely and was eating from my hand the second day, and perching on my hand by the 4th day of both my husband and I working with him throughout the days, so I'd say he's doing fairly well or at least better than I'd expected.
With the jist of the background covered, I was wondering when I should start trying to take Sukha out? He has lunged at us a few times (not sure if he's at, past bluffing or hasn't started, but I am prepared for it) and we just grit our teeth for the most part as he tests the squishiness of our hands
(a stern and low "No" and evil eye may be given if it gets too hard, followed by "gentle touches" [no yelling ever]), but none have been hard enough to cause any lasting pain or any injury. He is still a bit wary sometimes and doesn't always come right when called, which I prepared for training to take some time so nothing unexpected there. My confusion comes from people saying they let their birds out of the cage the first and second day, even when some of the birds are not trained or will not properly recall/listen.For now we interact with Sukha inside the cage, right now working on "come here," "step up," and "kisses" for training. I try to sneak a gentle stroke of the finger in here and there, but he's still not too crazy about that. But just from what I've learned from trainers and whatnot, this whole process takes time, and I'm wondering is it a good idea to let a brand new bird with little to no training out of it's cage? I'm finishing making a play-stand for when he is hand trained and feels comfortable with us and he has a flight cage (33"W x 22"D x 62"T) to play around in. He has somewhere between 10-20 different toys strategically placed about the cage without crowding anything, some bought but most made and I'm making more as well as planning on getting more foraging toys to rotate in and out. He also has a variety of natural perches, and gets a pelleted staple with plenty of fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, constant access to organic wheat grass as well as the occasional eggs, cooked meat, raw almonds, and seeds.
I'd like to know if I'm wrongly imprisoning my bird, or correctly waiting and providing plenty of other stimulation until Sukha is ready. Once he's ready I plan on taking him everywhere he's allowed on an aviator harness and I also have a garden out back with a fig and peach tree he'd be able to hang out in and munch on as I work in the garden, getting nibbles from fresh goodies as I pick them. Once Sukha is fully tame I plan on perhaps letting his flight feathers grow back to offer him some outdoor flying exercise on the aviator as well. If sometime in the future I can get him tame enough to be a companion animal that visits hospitals and other people that would be great too! But I am patient, so all in good time.
I appreciate your constructive criticism, tips and advice!
Thanks in advance,
Jessica &
Sukha, my little blue bird of happiness
