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Post by Robyn on May 5, 2009 8:09:53 GMT 10
As you all know i breed Eclectus Parrots & sell my babies. Most of the new owners come for visits on a weekly basis and spend a couple of hours of quality time getting to know their new baby long before they are weaned. Plus i teach the step up, step down commands. but that's pretty easy as the babies are taught that when still in their toy boxes before they are even caged. They are used to being handled, have lots of cuddles, kisses and most i can lay on their backs, even the girls. I don't ever get bitten. With my breeders i can honestly say i have never been attacked, even when checking nests.
My concern is when the babies go to their new homes. Some of them turn into little feral's. Like the bird from hell. They lunge, bite, scream and are totally unresponsive to any commands. It seems what they have been taught goes out the window. I have been reading through a lot of Forums over the weekend and see a few new eccies owners are having some problems settling their new feathered friend into their home. Not to mention 2 of my customers are having a few problems with their males. Screaming and biting. Basically just chucking hissy fits.
It has occurred to me that i might be doing something wrong or not explaining enough to the new owners. I was wondering from a Companion Parrot owner's point of view is there anymore i can do to help make the transition a little easier or is it that it doesn't matter what i do some babies are just going to stress out this way. Anyway guys if you would be so kind as to put your two bobs worth in it would be much appreciated .
I do know that 2 birds are not the same they all have their own little personality.
I might add that most of these customers have done their homework and researched the Eclectus extensively before coming to see me.
Thanks.
Robyn.
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Post by just4birds on May 5, 2009 9:48:55 GMT 10
They say birds scream cause they have nothing to do .... and biting ... well most of the time it will be cause they havent settled in enough ...
and with your customer with the hubby and child issue i would say the bird has worked out when they go near the bird and the bird bites the bird gets what it wants cause they would probably leave the bird alone after its bitten ...
They need to build some trust with the bird ... find a reward/treat that only they give the bird and they should work with the bird from within its cage
I just had a friend buy a BFA who was having a terrible time with the bird biting chunks of skin of his hands and stuff ...
I dont think people have leaving the birds settle in enough before trying to handle them etc ...
*Lisa*
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Post by Robyn on May 5, 2009 14:11:56 GMT 10
Thanks Lisa, maybe its just the upset of them moving out of their comfort zone. I try very hard not to spoil them to much while they are in my care but hey can't help myself. Think your right about the settling in time, some do take longer than others. I think a lot of people don't take that into consideration. Some of my customers think i am nuts when i tell them the reactions eccies have to certain things & that they can get very upset with change. Don't think they believe me somehow.  Cheers, Robyn. |
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Post by vankarhi on May 5, 2009 16:00:25 GMT 10
I agree with Lisa but also I have found that the majority of baby birds go through a "teething" stage (for want of a better word. They kind of like to test us humans out and try to see how far they can push us. Most of my pet birds have gone through this at quite a young age.....after fledging and weaning though, not before. I find they need to learn some basic manners and I guess just learn what they can and can't do. Unfortuneatly some people do not know how to draw boundaries with their birds/dogs, and kids too Usually this phase only lasts a short time....... or at least I have found it lasts a short time. |
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Post by birdymum on May 5, 2009 16:15:13 GMT 10
Hey Robyn, as you are already aware I got my girl at 7 weeks and my boy at 10 weeks. My girl we pretty much had control over her as she was so young and is such a gentle little mite, my boy on the other hand is very different, you know the story as to how I got him, well when my breeder collected him from the other breeder she told me he was very bitey. he is not the most cuddliest of birds but will sit with me and let me stroke him, he does not bite me but certainly does my hubby and kids. He did try and bite me the first few days but I stood my ground with him, whereas the others have jumped away. Maybe that is what the problem is, the bubs are testing the boundaries with the new owners and they are showing fear of them so they are biting them. You have been such a great help to me that I certainly don't think it is anything you are doing wrong, I really think IMHO that the birds know the new owners will react. I also ignore the screaming and both my birds now only scream when they want something.
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davewa
Addicted Member
Posts: 112
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Post by davewa on May 5, 2009 18:54:57 GMT 10
Hi Robyn
I agree with all of you about why they are behaving that way, as you know Bob still bites me and I am trying to work through that.
I know when I got him from the vet and bought him home he was very worried and lunged if we went in his cage and screamed alot. Then I read up on Parrots and we moved house and we kept him in the family room with us and he then felt part of the flock. He still screamed from time to time but I kept leaving the room when he did and it reduced alot.
Also I think most people which includes me have no idea how much work Parrots are and they expect them to be like cats and dogs.
My only suggestion would be giving all new owners a copy of a DVD from Good Bird Inc, that mag helped me alot before Birdkeeper started the Pet Parrot Pointers which are the same source as far as I can tell, but at least now I can buy aussie and get the same advise.
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Post by birdymum on May 5, 2009 19:14:44 GMT 10
So true they are a lot of work, I have an Alexandrine female that hates women, she of course belongs to my husband, we got her a few months back knowing she didn't like women, but me being me couldn't say no, I have been persistent with her and instead of screaming the house down when she wants something (she wouldn't take food or water or anything from me would wait till hubby got home) she will now come to me for kisses and feeds etc. She has given me a few darn good bites getting to this point but I think she realised that she wasn't going to get the upper hand. I really do think a lot of the problems is fear from the owners though.
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Post by vankarhi on May 5, 2009 19:52:24 GMT 10
Ok.......I belong to an ekkie forum and the funny thing is someone has been having this problem with her young male ekkie. This is my reply to her... """I am assuming you have not had Toby for long?? I assume that due to his age. I have found that a lot of birds are a bit apprehensive of children, especially younger children because they tend to be a bit quick in movements even if they don't mean to be. Plus I have also found when someone ..... even an adult is a bit apprehensive (and it is understandble with their big beaks......many people have commented to me about the size of my birds beaks), the bird seems to be able to pick up on that apprenstion. Unlike us birdie people who are used to bites.....it still hurts but we kind of take it with the territory of owning a bird. Both the bird and the people need to slowly get used to each other, even if by letting your husband and child just sit next to the cage and talk/sing/read to Toby and offer him treats etc. Then maybe you take him out of the cage and then you carefully get Toby to step up onto the person. I do this with Caillean my 7 year old boy. (my children have been raised with some sort of bird in their life ...... for ever actually because I have owned at least one bird since I was 14 years old). Sometimes Erik will nip him and it is because Caillean sometimes is little hesitant to get Erik to step up (Caillean has been bitten by Skye my female ekkie....so he knows they can bite hard and make you bleed at times). When I get Erik and make him step up onto me (mind you it doesn't take much effort for him to step up for me ) then I ask Caillean to put his arm out (I might also have asked Caillean to put a towel over his arm or just to put a long sleeved shirt on depending on the mood I can see either Erik or Caillean in) and Erik will always willingly step up onto Caillean's arm from my hand and there is usually no problem. But I don't allow contact with any of my birds unsupervised anyway. Plus I only ever offer Erik if Caillean has asked for him (which is fairly often as he likes to have a bird with him even if just for a quick pat or a quick "hello"). A couple of times I have asked Caillean to go and get Erik for me.....and he will but sometimes he just hesitates......and Erik knows that hesitation and then I end up having to get Erik anyway ...... and then I hand him over to Caillean just to show him that Erik is "fine" I hope I made sense """ I just thought you might like to read this too. Also I have 6 children their ages are 28, 25, 21, 20, 19 and 7. It is only the 7 year old now at home and he does like to handle the birds at times, but always under supervison. I just wanted you to know this as I don't think it is anything you are doing either Robyn. I honestly think it is just a stage the birds go through and the fact that they are at an age kind of like when our kids are toddlers or teenagers and they like to test the boundaries to the very limit and if we don't show them the correct way to act, then the birds (and our kids) can learn some very bad habits. Oh and by "we" I mean the new birdy mum or dad not the breeder/handraiser. I am new to the "breeding" side of things but all my birds whether I bred them to sell or keep or whether I bought them to handraise and keep have been taught right from the start to step up and down, and one even learned to recall and are used to normal household noises and other birds and dogs etc etc before going to their new homes. I believe that the rest of the training is a life long thing and that the new parronts need to be aware of and they need to teach the boundaries.....really the very short time we have them before they go to their new home is not enough time to teach them everything.......we teach them some very basic manners and hopefully to be a bit social and then hopefully this encourages the new owners to learn and teach the young birds to be wonderful companions. All just my very humble and honest opinion  |
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Post by Robyn on May 5, 2009 20:42:06 GMT 10
Thank you everyone, this means a lot to me as i was starting to doubt myself. All my questions have been answered. I appreciate all your help.
Tracey i rear my bubs the same as you. Most of mine recall and i just love telling them to come and they fly to my hand. Its just so cute.
Robyn.
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Post by meandem on May 6, 2009 8:46:22 GMT 10
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Post by vankarhi on May 6, 2009 21:03:11 GMT 10
I will also add........I do not agree with feeding a baby bird and just putting it back in a box until the next feed....they learn nothing from us.
Today I took Erik to work with me and he is becoming quite loud.......so because I was trying to do some ordering I put him on my shoulder and he kept me company for some of the day.....until a customer comes in then I put Erik back into his cage. He is trying me a little and keeps chewing on my earrings......so he gets a bit of a tap and told no!!! It is by no means hard and one of the girls at work commented about it being like having a kid. lol
Just thought I would share that snippet of info ;D
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Post by Robyn on May 6, 2009 21:09:33 GMT 10
See we are never to old to learn.
Tracey, i have five little darlings 29, 30, 33, 34, 38. So yes i sure can relate to all the stages kids go through. Your right the birds do push boundaries at times. Just like kids. I often tell people caring for a parrot is like having a 2 year old around for life. Some how i don't think i am believed.
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Post by vankarhi on May 6, 2009 21:16:47 GMT 10
Gee Robyn......you and I are similar with our kids lol except I went for one last shot at raising a human kid. lol
The people at work are learning that Erik is like having a child.....sort of lol It is also enlightening to see some people who come into work and they see Erik, they make comments that make me realise there are people out there that realise birds no matter what size or breeds are intelligent. I had a lady today who told me proudly about her budgies and how darn clever they are and how great talkers they are ;D ;D and I had to agree with her as I have owned budgies as pets and we do have little Peppa who is a fantastic little talker too. ;D
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Post by birdymum on May 7, 2009 13:24:18 GMT 10
HMMMM I find my parrots easier than my kids. My girls are 16 almost 17 (can't forget that) and 13, and they are both testing me at the moment. I also agree I don't believe in feeding and putting straight back in the box, I feed my two eccie's and then usually have one on my shoulder while I do some stuff around the house, then a bit of a cuddle, then on the playgym where the other birds are or down for a play with the dogs, whilst I spend time with the other eccie. My birds are all used to dogs and I have them all mingling nicely now, mind you always under supervision.
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Post by vankarhi on May 8, 2009 7:11:02 GMT 10
oh the teenagers stage........how well I remember that. lol We had 3 at the same time and it almost tried my mind. lol Then I think OMG I am going to have to go through this again with my 7 year old. lol At least then it will only be one of him not 3 at a time. We had 3 teenagers all about 1 year apart.
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Post by Robyn on May 8, 2009 7:53:35 GMT 10
Sorry Girls i just shudder to even think about going there again. Bad memories. Only joking. Wasn't to bad. I can really relate to you Tracey. I had 4 sons & then a daughter. But hey guess what they all grew up ok. I know by the time i went through my daughters teens, i realized some of the mistakes i made with the boys. Think i might have been a wee bit to tough on them. You know raise the perfect kids. They had other ideas. But then you can't put a old head on young shoulders, they have to learn by their mistakes.
I dearly love my kids and couldn't part with any one of them but i keep telling people if i had of discovered parrots 40 years ago, {that's when i met my hubby}I would never have had kids. Still trying to work out the kids at least i know what to expect from my birds. But honestly i wouldn't change a thing.
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Post by vankarhi on May 8, 2009 18:37:31 GMT 10
Yeah Robyn I hear ya sister!!!! lol ;D I went through with my eldest son not too bad.....he was a typical male teenager though, but only one teenager at a time, then a few years later I went through that teenager stage with my eldest daughter.....not too bad once again.... a few up's and downs but not too bad. But then my present husband and I get together and we end up with 5 kids......his 2 were 8 (almost 9) and 10 (almost 11) while my youngest then was only 8.......all was well until they were all around the 15/16 year age.......then instead of one doing "whatever" they were doing, I had 3 doing it. It was very very hard. We had all kids living with us.......so it was very hard......but they have grown into lovely respectable young adults now and I reckon we are pretty darn proud of them all. ;D
Just one more to go ;D
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Post by Robyn on May 8, 2009 18:50:20 GMT 10
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Post by Robyn on May 8, 2009 19:05:00 GMT 10
I have the opportunity to look after TOBY the Eclectus for a week while his owner is away.
He didn't forget me at all, and i can still do the roll over and all, with him. He is such a gorgeous bird. His new Mum is wonderful with him and i am sure with a little more time he will bond with everyone in the household.
Anyway will keep you posted on his behavior over the next week.
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Post by vankarhi on May 8, 2009 21:30:07 GMT 10
I am sure Toby will be fine with a bit more time in his new home.
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