Is it too soon to let him out?hi everyone
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hi everyone
hello everyone my names eve, brought home my lutino Irn a week today,Ive named him Archie.The seller advised me he was 4months old. Archie was not hand reared and seems very reluctant to interact physically if I put my hand on the cage he retreats, He hasnt been out of his cage yet (the advise given by the seller) as I do not want to distress him. I have been talking to him constantly (sure Im getting on his nerves) and to my delight he started chatting away this morning! A candidate for Mensa Is it too soon to let him out?
Is it too soon to let him out?-
ellieelectrons
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Re: hi everyone
Hi
When you say you want to let the bird out of the cage, does that mean you want to put it on your hand to get it out of the cage or you want to let it out on its own and let it play somewhere and interact with you a bit? Do you have a play area for your bird away from the cage?
If you want to put it on your hand, to get it out of the cage, you may need to work it up to this behaviour using rewards. You can get it used to taking rewards from your hand (or from a spoon if the hand is too threatening) whilst it is in the cage and gradually (over several training sessions) move the reward closer to your hand so that eventually it has to step onto your hand to get the reward.
I personally like to interact with my bird in a separate play area... so if you have a space where that can happen, it can be useful. The turnaround behaviour is one that I found really useful as a starting point for building a bond between me and my bird as it is doesn't require the bird to step on to me to do the behaviour. You can download instructions from:
http://www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_about_p ... %20Cue.pdf
No matter when you allow the bird out of the cage, just work on letting it be a fun time for the bird if possible and make it as low stress as it can be.
Good luck!
Ellie.
When you say you want to let the bird out of the cage, does that mean you want to put it on your hand to get it out of the cage or you want to let it out on its own and let it play somewhere and interact with you a bit? Do you have a play area for your bird away from the cage?
If you want to put it on your hand, to get it out of the cage, you may need to work it up to this behaviour using rewards. You can get it used to taking rewards from your hand (or from a spoon if the hand is too threatening) whilst it is in the cage and gradually (over several training sessions) move the reward closer to your hand so that eventually it has to step onto your hand to get the reward.
I personally like to interact with my bird in a separate play area... so if you have a space where that can happen, it can be useful. The turnaround behaviour is one that I found really useful as a starting point for building a bond between me and my bird as it is doesn't require the bird to step on to me to do the behaviour. You can download instructions from:
http://www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_about_p ... %20Cue.pdf
No matter when you allow the bird out of the cage, just work on letting it be a fun time for the bird if possible and make it as low stress as it can be.
Good luck!
Ellie.
Re: hi everyone
Thanx for the advice ,I would love Archie to trust me just to touch him,Ive taken your advice about the treats he seems to like millet so Im going to shorten the length over time,yes I have a play table ,and an open top cage,I was just worrying about getting him back in the cage if he wont let me handle him
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ellieelectrons
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Re: hi everyone
Yes, getting them in the cage can be a problem (even when they are tame!). I still have problems getting my female to go back into the cage. She's so smart, when she knows that that's what I'm trying to do, she won't step up... 5 minutes ago I managed to lure her back with a cracker.
I think if you open up the cage when you have plenty of time to interact with him, he will eventually go back to the cage himself for food and water (and comfort - the cage is his home). You need to do it when you can work to his time clock (so, for example, don't do it 5 mins before you need to go out).
I've also found that mine will go back to their cage when it gets dark so you could try letting him out in the afternoon, say an hour before it gets dark.
Good luck.
Ellie.
I think if you open up the cage when you have plenty of time to interact with him, he will eventually go back to the cage himself for food and water (and comfort - the cage is his home). You need to do it when you can work to his time clock (so, for example, don't do it 5 mins before you need to go out).
I've also found that mine will go back to their cage when it gets dark so you could try letting him out in the afternoon, say an hour before it gets dark.
Good luck.
Ellie.
Re: hi everyone
I will definately take your advice Im on anual leave next week............. woohoo! So Im gonna let archie do his thing hopefully we can really bond then. Im going to try to teach him to turn around 
Ill take that luck I may need it!
Thanx again for your advice Ellie
This site is Great
Ill take that luck I may need it!Thanx again for your advice Ellie
This site is Great
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Kray Twins
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:49 pm
- Location: Somerset, UK
- Contact:
Re: hi everyone
Treating 'him' is definitely the way forward. For a couple of days put maybe a couple of pieces of the treat into his bowl and stay close while he goes to investigate. Then a few more etc. After a few more days move the food bowl (if you can) closer to the opening of the cage and put some more in.
Eventually you'll know what his favourite treat is and can then hold it to see if he comes to you for it. Remember to try and keep your voice at an energetic and welcoming pitch and try to beckon him to you. If he doesn't come forward move 1 or 2 inches inwards to see if he needs a prompt, if not have a break and put his food in his bowl.
It'll happen eventually, remember you have about 25 years with your bird so it doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow.
This worked for Reggie - the shy IRN I have - allow Ronnie was so inquisitive that I needed the space from him to get used to have a bird tugging on my bottom lip! He's quite funny!
Eventually you'll know what his favourite treat is and can then hold it to see if he comes to you for it. Remember to try and keep your voice at an energetic and welcoming pitch and try to beckon him to you. If he doesn't come forward move 1 or 2 inches inwards to see if he needs a prompt, if not have a break and put his food in his bowl.
It'll happen eventually, remember you have about 25 years with your bird so it doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow.
This worked for Reggie - the shy IRN I have - allow Ronnie was so inquisitive that I needed the space from him to get used to have a bird tugging on my bottom lip! He's quite funny!