Victoria Whitfield
ACO
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:1431
Location: Essex
Send Private Message
 |
| 17-11-2011 09:25 AM |
�
|
By cruel I mean denying him the companionship of others of his own kind in a more 'free' environment. He didn't get the choice to pick, I chose for him but if he could have chosen for himself, what would it be I wonder.
If I was to collect another in similar circumstance, as I said I would elect to find them a suitable aviary as that is familiar and what they are used to.
If Momo is coming to you to steal seeds, he is not aviary. An aviary bird would freak, and I mean freak when you went near.
He sounds like a more middle of the road type where the decision is much more dificult to make but you are absolutely doing the right thing with him. Time is the key!
I do like your updates though, please continue to let us know how you are both doing!! |
|
------
|
|
|
Helen W
Birdline Member
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:2558
Location: Manchester
Send Private Message
|
| 17-11-2011 10:16 AM |
�
|
Frankster,
I too love your updates and, like Vicky, suspect Momo isn't really aviary. I've been sitting here racking my brains thinking of healthy treats you might try. Do you know of any fruit that he might like? Or will he try batons of raw carrot or a sugar snap pea? You could try bits of fresh or dried fruit. Walnuts are loved by some birds and you could try some of that (in moderation of course). Our 2 boys love home popped popcorn, sweetened with a tiny sprinkling of icing sugar. Would he try wholemeal or granary toast with peanut butter on? Just a few ideas. |
|
------
|
|
|
Chirpysmum
Birdline Member
Basic Forum Member
Posts:281
Location: Croydon
Send Private Message
|
| 17-11-2011 12:25 PM |
�
|
JJ is a green cheek conure and his favourites are various fruits, pineapple, apple, grape, blackberries (althought I think that's just a ploy to make a lot of mess) and strawberries are all really appreciated. Any of these could be used as a tempting treat if he likes them.
It's great to read the updates on Momo and time is the key as has been said! |
|
------
 |
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 18-11-2011 05:01 AM |
�
|
Another day of patient encouragement and Momo is responding very well. I'm convinced now he's been hand tame at some time but the previous owner hasn't handled him and he's reverted to being timid. He will sit on his food bowl for a short time if I hold it for him and is happy to take sunflower seeds, dried chillis, apple, grapes, sweetcorn and peas from my finger and thumb. Still too timid to take food from the palm of my hand though, we'll work on that.
Softly softly catchee monkey.
It's also clear now that Momo has the most delightful personality. Very inquisitive, very quick to learn what he needs to do to get a food treat, extremely placid and certainly not inclined to peck me. When he's in his cage and I walk past, he's now shuffling along the perch towards me instead of running away and cowering in the corner.
There's no way on earth I'm going to clip his wings now, what was I thinking? |
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 18-11-2011 05:05 AM |
�
|
Just a word to Victoria regarding "cruelty".
I'm certain that if we gave any animal the choice then it would choose its own kind over human company, that's just biology and imprinting. The important question is - is your bird happy and healthy? Birds enjoy human company very much. As long as he has food, water, warmth and company he'll be a very happy bird. Animals have simple needs and I'm sure you could not be considered cruel.
|
|
------
|
|
|
SharonH
Events Co-ordinator
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:1433
Location: Brixham
Send Private Message
|
| 18-11-2011 05:47 AM |
�
|
Well done Frankster, he's making progress very quickly. I am sure you will have a fantastic little companion soon at this rate. |
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 18-11-2011 03:10 PM |
�
|
We're not out of the woods yet. While he's starting to trust me, I'm aware that Momo needs to be target trained. This isn't going to be easy, he's scared of anything coming into his cage and when he gets badly spooked he won't even take a food treat from me so I'm not sure how it'll go. Any advice on this would be very welcome, as it is he will just cower in the far corner of his cage or fly away when he sees a target stick.
Also, I'm reading that he should only be fed twice a day, is that right? Currently he has a food bowl in his cage. |
|
------
|
|
|
Doddie Kent
ACO
Advanced Forum Member
Posts:649
Location: Surrey/S London
Send Private Message
|
| 19-11-2011 12:47 AM |
�
|
Not sure about the target training - can't see the need - but food... I feed my lot in the morning, yesterday's left-overs are thrown away, pots cleaned and re-filled, with just that day's food in them. This doesn't mean they don't get extras, it means that they are extras. A bit of biscuit or toast, or goodie of some kind, throughout the day, and a nut (cockatoo gets a walnut, the others get pistachios) to go to bed with. I see nothing wrong in leaving food available all day. I think perhaps the twice-a-day thing is to make sure that the food is fresh, not stale. Many people fill large bowls with seed or fruit or whatever, enough for several days. This means after day 1, it's stale. You wouldn't want to eat bread that had been out for a couple or more days without being covered - the bird shouldn't have to eat stale food, either. I change the water according to weather (more often in hot weather) and if they've made a soup out of it by dunking food in it, or if they've poohed in it. Routine is the key to calming Momo's fears. He will get used to you putting a treat in the cage at the same time each day, and learn that your hand should be welcome. Everything needs to go slowly, slowly. It sounds as though you're doing well, don't rush it. It can take months, but it'll be worth it, wait and see!
Doddie |
|
------
|
|
|
clockmanuk
ACO
Basic Forum Member
Posts:138
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Send Private Message
|
| 19-11-2011 04:04 AM |
�
|
Hi Frankster,
I have just read this thread with great interest. It is clear you have been given loads of advice and have made loads of progress already. I just wanted to pick up on your Target Training with a stick. If he is already taking food from your finger tips, he is clearly learning to accept your hand. You state you want to encourage him to take food from the palm of your hand. It seems to me the next bit of learning following natural progression, would be to encourage him to step on an outstretched finger. This sounds as if it will be less alien than a stick and you are well on your way. Why bother with a stick? Just my opinion for what it's worth!
Dave. |
|
------
 |
|
|
swwchris
Administrators
Basic Forum Member
Posts:340
Location: Brixham, Torbay
Send Private Message
|
| 19-11-2011 05:13 AM |
�
|
Dave I agree I think target training is either to soon or may never be appropriate in this case. It will take time, I would suggest months rather than days or weeks to get to where you would like to be with him. With Jasper he does happily take food from me, recently I have been just resting my spare hand nearer and nearer to him while he does this, and we are nearly at the point where I can stroke him while he is distracted. But its a slow job, and work can be undone quickly if you push to far. Also I am always aware that its a fine line between him being totally dependent on me (which I dont want), and ensuring he is capable of making his own entertainment and being happy doing so.
|
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 14-12-2011 04:41 PM |
�
|
Just thought I should pop back to say thanks to everyone here for all the excellent advice.
Momo is doing very well indeed - still not hand tame but he's a lot more trusting and confident now and he's happy to climb down his cage and take treats from me so we're slowly winning him over. He's a real character, full of mischief but a delightful little personality. Thanks to all here. |
|
------
|
|
|
Victoria Whitfield
ACO
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:1431
Location: Essex
Send Private Message
|
| 15-12-2011 03:41 AM |
�
|
So nice to hear he is progressing.
Keep the updates coming, good news is always welcome news!! |
|
------
|
|
|
SharonH
Events Co-ordinator
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:1433
Location: Brixham
Send Private Message
|
| 15-12-2011 04:12 AM |
�
|
That is rapid progress, maybe not an indoor aviary bird then, more a neglected companion. It's difficult to be sure until you try as you are doing. Well done and hope you are enjoying the little man. |
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 18-12-2011 06:05 AM |
�
|
Well he'is still fairly timid but he's great fun! We're at the stage now where he'll fly over for a slice of apple but he's very scared of my hand unless it's holding out a treat for him. I'm trying to be very consistent and not giving him the treat unless he's learning to be a little more trusting of me and there are times when I can see his little parakeet brain furiously trying to summon up the courage to hop onto my hand.
Momo is my first conure, I had only ever kept budgerigars before and I'm stunned by how quickly he can learn what I want him to do. He recognises a lot of phrases already - "are you coming out?" is a favourite, along with "have we got a treat?" and most surprising of all, "back in the cage" which has him clambering down the front of the cage and hopping back through the door.
I'm convinced now that he's been given a lot of human contact in the past but sadly he's been ignored by his last owner and he's simply forgotten that humans can be trusted. I suppose conquering his fear of me is part of the bonding process. But I am a big softy, when he finally does hop onto my hand I'll probably blub. |
|
------
|
|
|
Helen W
Birdline Member
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:2558
Location: Manchester
Send Private Message
|
| 18-12-2011 09:44 AM |
�
|
It sounds like he's making amazing progress already. I have a lump in my throat thinking of the successes you have already achieved. Keep up the hard work and enjoy Momo's company  |
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 19-12-2011 01:47 AM |
�
|
Just another quick question about behaviour - he's chewing everything to pieces! The wood on top of his cage is getting chewed away more every day and any plastic toy he's given will be shredded within an hour or two. Right now he's destroying a milk bottle cap and looking very pleased with himself. Is it normal for conures to do this? And will the plastic chewing do him any harm? |
|
------
|
|
|
Helen W
Birdline Member
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:2558
Location: Manchester
Send Private Message
|
| 19-12-2011 10:35 AM |
�
|
Can't answer the question about conure behaviour, but parrots in general chew, so I don't see why not. Milk and pop bottle tops are fine. It sounds like you might need to make him some chewing toys. Try putting some chewing toys into clean pop bottles and see if he can open it/chew the top off. Any bits of untreated pine or beech (broom handles) will do as chewing toys. I pack cardboard boxes with newspaper and cardboard for our 2 CAGs and they love it. newspaper rolled up into toilet roll inners go down well too (and you can stuff them between the bars as a cage toy.) Old fashioned dolly pegs are great (if you can get them.) Rope can be good too. Cotton, sisal, coir (if untreated) are all good.
He's obviously settled in well with you and enjoying life. Keep up the good work. |
|
------
|
|
|
SharonH
Events Co-ordinator
Veteran Forum Member
Posts:1433
Location: Brixham
Send Private Message
|
| 20-12-2011 01:07 AM |
�
|
All I can say is, there will be a lot of us in floods the day he finally steps onto your finger Frankster. |
|
------
|
|
|
Frankster
Registered Users
New Forum Member
Posts:37
Location:
Send Private Message
|
| 25-12-2011 02:31 AM |
�
|
I just had to laugh this morning, trying to get Momo to sit on my shoulder for a treat, still no success. As he likes to sit up high on his stand, I figured that the part of me he sees most will be my face and the top of my head ... so I put a treat on top of my head and Momo will take it every time. So that's progress. We'll work on the shoulder now. |
|
------
|
|
|