kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Aug 26, 2011 12:48:42 GMT 10
i would like to introduce our new member of family .... Pedro!  Pedro has been with us for almost a couple of weeks now, we bought him at 15 weeks and weaned. He eats like a little piggy and been getting a massive variety of fruit and veges which he devours! I need some help or advice though, because with our other eckie (who got away) who was overly confident and social (and i had also hand raised him), this one seems to be completely opposite. i mean, i know they all have different personalities (!!) but to this day he's still very scared and shy, just seems to want to sit in his cage all day. he mumbles and makes sounds, doing flips in his cage like he's showing off! then when i'll go over to him sometimes he'll come out, and most times he freaks out and tries to get away. what should i expect and am i expecting too much? is 2 weeks being in a new home still quite overwhelming? i also offered him the same formula which he was raised on as a comfort feed (not that he was giving off any signs, i just wanted to see if he would take it) but he was not interested at all! so if Pedro continues this way will he lose the 'tameness'  oh and photos to come shortly |
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Aimie
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Jax
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Post by Aimie on Aug 27, 2011 10:55:11 GMT 10
I'm glad you added photo' to come shortly. I was just going to ask for hem.. LOL... Love photo's. I've just acquired an eckie too. I've had mine for 3 weeks. He was 8 and a half weeks so still on 3 feeds. He was shy and scared and didn't know how to step up or anything. I just picked him up and fed him when needed and nursed him after or when I was watching tv etc stroking his neck like his parents would. The first few days I tried to keep the house quiet and calming for him to get used to his surroundings but with 3 kids under ten running around and arguing that's not very easy. LOL... The last few days he has figured out how to step up and I no longer need to pick him up. I'm no expert but in my opinion he just needs to get used to you. Do you take him out for cuddles? If not try to get him used to your hand, maybe put those veggies he devours in your hand and hold your hand in the cage as still as you can, and wait for him to come to you. do that as often as you can to get him used to you then tr giving him scratches as he becomes less afraid etc. Thats what I would do. Hope that helps. I fostered a Corella that had lost her tameness, for a little while. With time, attention and lots of perseverance he should be right. There are plenty of experts on here so I'm sure someone will get back to you shortly. Hopefully what I have said helps until anyone else can add more. Good luck, Aimie. P.s I'm looking forward to those photo's  |
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Aug 27, 2011 20:43:47 GMT 10
congrats on your new addition! ;D
our last little guy we got young on 3 feeds per day and adjusted really well to all of us handling him and all that so this is a completely new ball game for us!
in his first week i waited until the kids were in bed to have some quite time with him. only a few times he stepped up and came out and pedro seemed ok with me touching him and talking to him. i tried not to over do it so he wasn't out for too long at each time, then this week he's just flat out refused to step up and goes into a panic when i put my arm near his perch. his big weakness is millet and even so he's very edgy sort of like 'i really want that but not sooo sure because it's from a hand' he'll run up quick take a bite then go to the other side. i did say he does flips and shows off in his cage but he also hasn't done this in a few days either. a thought came through that maybe he is sick? we haven't taken him yet for a check at the vet as 1. we can't even get him out of the cage! 2. wanted him to settle down and be comfortable in our home.... if it came crunch time i wouldn't know how to get him out without frightening him?
when my hub got pedro the guy showed him how playful and tame he was and pedro was even fine with him holding him upside down.
his first night home i noticed the first couple of primary feathers tattered and the tail i don't know if this has anything to do with anything but i guess the more info i put out the better lol.
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Aimie
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Post by Aimie on Aug 27, 2011 21:08:17 GMT 10
My Jax has a really tatty looking tail but i think that is due to his being on the bottom of his cage alot and it getting dragged in his poop.
It sounds like your doing the right stuff. I'd take him to the vet to rule out sickness, & be on the safe side.
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Aug 28, 2011 0:55:24 GMT 10
.... was just having a chat with the other half about a vet visit! we're thinking in this moment to wait another week and see if he gets more comfortable with us before we attempt getting pedro into a carrier. i'm worried he'll get so scared with the whole deal he might not ever trust us  is there anything that can be done for tatty tails?? |
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Post by Robyn on Aug 28, 2011 8:19:08 GMT 10
Hello Kinsei & Pedro, i was going to reply yesterday but i was so busy & didn't have enough to go on. If we are able to help we need as much info as possible.
Will touch on his health, check droppings are not dark green & sticky. If he is eating well & from what you say he is. So i would say he is ok health wise. You could get a bird probiotic & sprinkle that on his fruit every day. Will help his immune system.
I feel you have been walking on egg shells around Pedro & it's not necessary, they love all the mad goings on in a family environment. By you only handling him when the kids have gone to bed isn't doing Pedro any favors. When you get up in the morning as you walk by his cage say Hello Pedro & open the door walk away & let him venture out by himself. Let him explore his new home. Once he is away from his cage you should be able to ask him to step up. I feel he doesn't trust anyone & it could be because he is sensing your frustration. He must be included, right now you are sending him mixed messages.
When i have a shy chick like Pedro & i actually have one ATM. I just ignore him, he won't step up if i put my hand into the cage however the other male will eagerly stepup & is out of the cage like a shot. Once the shy one is out of the cage i can get him to stepup but i have to bring him inside on the T stand to have him calm down enough to stay with me. Back to Pedro, once he has come out of the cage take him to another part of the house or even take the cage out of sight & let him wander around with the kids sitting on the floor. It may take a few day's but he should come around without to much stress on you or him. Remember do not chase him around that only stresses them more. What you can do is grab a towel & gently place it over his back & scoop him up, bring him to your chest & talk to him gently. Getting him used to toweling is also a benefit when having vet visits. I play peek-a-boo with the towel to get them used to it.
Pedro is using his cage as his safety net because he knows if he flapps around enough you will leave him alone. Very clever these little guys. Watch his body language, it will tell you how he is feeling. Don't worry to much about his ratty feathers, some eclectus are so clumsy they look terrible until the go through their 12 month moult.
If i haven't covered everything you would like to know just ask.
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Aug 28, 2011 22:50:27 GMT 10
so this afternoon pedro stepped onto my arm from his cage and came out for some exploring and he seemed fine once he was out. the only reason why he stepped onto my arm was because i was pushing him (in an encouraging way) too. tonight though is another story! it feels like one step forward, two steps back....! i took a photo of his poo today after he left me a little surprise on the floor lol now i hope your not eating or hungry cause this might be a little to much info! his droppings are wet and real sloppy, not dark dark green, more like a forest green tone? on his first day the poos were alot more firm with hardly any watery slush at all. i'm assuming it's change in food as that would be the obvious first guess? can you please tell me what the best bird probiotic to use would be? that wouldn't hurt either robyn i really don't know how you knew but what you said was spot on. we have been walking on egg shells around him. things can get some what looney around here and i didn't want him to feel like he's come to a bunch of crazies! LOL so i thought a more 'serene' environment would be better to introduce him to just until he settles. he has only come out of his cage a couple of times on his own ..... tonight when i tried to get him out he fluffed up like he was going to attack and gave me a few good nips! actually he does this most times and this is where i get confused - to just leave him alone (obviously this is what he wants!) or to be more patient and continue to encourage him to come out? like i said, it's only been a couple of times he's come out on his own and if it were up to him i think he'd like to stay put  the towel game sounds like a good one should i try using a towel to get him out n about? and with your shy baby do you think he will stay that way or do they grow out of it? thanks for your help it's going to give us a good start |
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Aimie
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Jax
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Post by Aimie on Aug 29, 2011 11:13:50 GMT 10
Jax' poo has been changing alot too. which I am putting down to food too. I have a book which is my "Eckie bible" A guide to eclectus parrots, you can get it on Australian birdkeeper website. It does say about eckies poo being a green worm in the center with a clear watery surround. (something along them lines, I'm going off memory, LOL) the water is just urine. But it's hard to diagnose illness off their poo because of the diet being high fruit and veg it changes appearance a lot (again not their wording but something along those lines.) Not sure if that helps, But hope it does.  |
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Aug 31, 2011 20:14:06 GMT 10
your inputs are very helpful for me i think i'm going to have to start a new topic cause this is turning into a more 'help us' than 'introducing....!' lol |
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Post by twr on Sept 4, 2011 11:32:12 GMT 10
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Sept 5, 2011 0:44:24 GMT 10
I've been out with a horrid virus that keeps coming and going and have had slight improvement in the mean time! Last night Pedro had a shower with me and I think he really enjoyed it! It seemed as though he was very very relaxed and sleepy lol. Then I dried him off with the hair dryer and it was obvious he was loving every moment too.....he almost crashed out (geeee I wish someone did that for me) haha I noticed his tatty feathers also looked much better too maybe something to do with the water? In the mornings I have been talking to him while opening his cage and he usually comes out and sits on top. Now the problem with this is while I'm home this is fine but when I need to leave he won't step up..... And I have to allow 10 mins at least (sometimes I'll convince him or lure him with food) also when he's in his cage sometimes I'll try and get him to step up, only a few times we've achieved this without him running to the side. I mentioned the shower earlier and forgot to add that after that he sat on my arm and cuddled for about 30 mins and even let me kiss him! So anyway moving onto the next thing.... Now I've been reading up on cage aggression (I'm not sure if this is what it is though) as Pedro is much better when out of his cage as Robyn had said earlier, away from the "safety net" but when he's in it he's like a different bird. He'll do lunges, feather puffing and even super hard biting. Is this how it starts out? Is this even cage aggression? I'll confess I still haven't moved his cage out of sight when he's out, this sick aging body can't handle that right now lol (I'm such a wuss!!) but I think I'll be right in the next couple of days and really get onto things. Thanks for all those links Robyn it's like info overload You defiantly don't want me bored do you?? |
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Aimie
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Post by Aimie on Sept 5, 2011 11:26:36 GMT 10
Hope you get better soon Kinsei. It sounds like we are working on a similar timeline, Jax had his first shower the other day and his feathers look so much better, his colours are a lot brighter too. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and making progress. I guess it will just take time and perseverance. Keep us updated on the progress you and Pedro are making. |
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Post by Robyn on Sept 6, 2011 7:52:59 GMT 10
I do know what your going through because i have been breeding & hand-rearing Eclectus for the past 10 years. You get to know where the new owners make their first mistakes when they introduce their new baby to the family home.
I feel your family needs to gain Pedro's trust before anything else. It could take months for him to feel settled so baby steps all the way. A calm family means a calm bird. You have already had an eclectus so you are familiar with them.
There is a big difference in birds we hand-rear ourselves. We build trust while we are raising them. However the bird we buy already weaned has built trust with someone else & when we get them home are a little put out because the bird doesn't love us from day 1. This isn't always the case but with some eckies it does take extra time & paticence.
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Sept 9, 2011 13:42:05 GMT 10
we have been jumping ahead with leaps and bounds since i last posted - there is still a long way to go yet but all seems fine ... at the moment ;D
i didn't think my expectations were that high in the beginning but obviously when you hear "time and patience" it really means that. just heard a story of an ekkie that would fiercly attack his owner and it took 2 months of bonding and now they are the best of buddies ;D
did jax enjoy his shower? it's like they could stay there all day if they were allowed lol
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Post by twr on Sept 9, 2011 13:50:23 GMT 10
Mine isn't an ekkie, but my sun conure wanted nothing whatsoever to do with me for 4-5 months. Suddenly, he then became velcro bird. He just took his time deciding that I was ok.
Glad things are going well for you and Pedro
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kinsei
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Post by kinsei on Sept 9, 2011 22:07:48 GMT 10
i've been watching sun conures on youtube lately and getting a little clucky! their colours are gorgeous i could sit and watch all day thanks for recommending the clicker training now that pedro is more comfortable with me i have ordered one so by the time it arrives we should be right to get started |
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Post by twr on Sept 9, 2011 23:23:44 GMT 10
They are beautiful looking birds, but make sure your ok with their call. My Tinga doesn't do this constantly, but it is a natural sound for him to make from time to time throughout the day. It's never been a problem for us, but to some it is |
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Post by twr on Sept 9, 2011 23:26:33 GMT 10
i've been watching sun conures on youtube lately and getting a little clucky! their colours are gorgeous i could sit and watch all day thanks for recommending the clicker training now that pedro is more comfortable with me i have ordered one so by the time it arrives we should be right to get started I think it was actually clicker training that broke the ice with Tinga |
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Post by Robyn on Sept 10, 2011 7:21:23 GMT 10
Kinsei, Eclectus don't do very well with clicker training. I have never used one & the owners i know who did buy one said it was useless. The bird was more interested in finding out what made the noise.  I have found with all my eclectus they do very well on praise, the more i tell them they are very good the more i get out of them. I am quiet sure once Pedro settles in completely you won't have a problem with him at all. It sounds like your doing a great job of working with him. I didn't mean your expectations were to high, just other new owners in general. Once he feels more at ease with his new home things will just be fine. Like i said you have already got experience with these birds so it should be easy for you from now on. Good luck & keep us posted. By the way I do hope you are feeling much better. |
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Post by twr on Sept 10, 2011 10:15:32 GMT 10
I didn't know ekkies don't respond to the clicker. Sorry about that
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I have found with all my eclectus they do very well on praise, the more i tell them they are very good the more i get out of them.