Acclimating to New Play Stand?

[TheAlexian]

I got my GCC this play stand: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=29676

She's terrified of it. I can't get her to step onto it, let alone actually play on it, for scratches, treats, or anything. And she has started biting me when she even thinks I might be taking her to the room where it is. She also acts interested in it, but then gets mad when I try to take her to it.

I didn't have this problem with the playgym I got for her (https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-3-in-1-playground-for-birds); she has always been happy to hop right onto it. The only other toy she's acted afraid of, I just left outside her cage for a couple of days and then put in her cage once she was used to it.

She isn't flighted, so I can't really just leave it out and let her go to it easily, and it's pretty big so there isn't really a place near her cage that I can leave it (and honestly I'm not sure I want to, she's so scared of it!). Any tips for acclimating her to it?

 

[itzjbean]

Are there any cool toys you could attach or temporarily lay over part of a branch to entice her to go to it? Could you put her old play stand and the new one next to each other and have her play on the old one and slowly move the new one closer to the old stand so that they are right next to each other.

Can she sit on your shoulder while you play with it and pretend to be interested in it?

 

[TheAlexian]

Thank you! I couldn't use the shoulder because she's not much for shoulders, so for anyone else who has a similar problem, here's what I did:

She can see the room where the play stand is from her cage, so I put the playgym in there while she was watching me, made sure she saw me adding some treats to the treat cup, then put her on the playgym while I put some more treats on the play stand. Then I played with the toys that are on the play stand while she watched, and slowly moved the playgym closer to the play stand. She eventually decided it was interesting and harmless enough to try out!

Of course, then I sneezed. She didn't like that much and glided away to the floor. I was able to coax her back to the play stand from the playgym a second time using the same technique.

I think she likes it! Lots of tail wags and happy shakes once I was able to get her on it both times.

 

[lplummer52]

Takes them a while to get used to new things. Some toys Birdie goes for right away. Others sometimes takes her a week or more. I never push it. She gets around to it sooner or later. Then it’s, “Oh, yay, Birdie’ playing with her new toy!” If it’s new food, though, she never hesitates to try it once.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Hmm I must have gotten all the conures that just let you put them on new stands or in new cages or Java trees without a second thought. I always find it interesting when I hear of your birds not wanting the new toys and stands you get them! Good luck I am sure your little one is going to love it once they get used to it.

 

[TheAlexian]

GCC is much quicker to warm up to new things than my budgies. The only two things she's ever been hesitant about were this play stand and a fairly large wicker toy, and in both cases it wound up only taking a couple of days. The budgies can take a week before they'll let something into their cage!

 

[Caitnah]

My GCC is pretty fearless. I have almost the same exact Java tree. My GCC stepped up onto it with no problem. HOWEVER, I did purchase him a small swing for his cage and he is absolutely terrified of it.
He does love swings as he also has a circular swing that is one of his favorite places to sit. So am wondering if it's the shape that scares them? Just strange how they take to some things and are scared of others.