Bird Diapers/ Potty Training

[Jez]

Ever use bird diapers?

Also,
Anyone here potty train their bird? I read you can do so but I'm wondering if many people do. I'm guessing it's pretty hard.
Jez

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Ever use bird diapers?

I tried them on once, they didn't fit me. )

Despite his extreme patience with most things Auggie goes into a complete panic if I try any type of harness or flight-suit so I gave up on the whole idea. I'm sure I could have got him comfortable with them eventually... but pick your battles.

As for potty training it's really not that hard to do some. I'd say it's very easy to get them to go in one or two specific spots a majority of the time. It would take some work, but is doable, to get them to never go anywhere else. But even if they go in the 'right' spot 95% of the time, birds metabolism is so high that they go several dozen times a day - odds are some of them will still be in the wrong spot.

I have heard of one macaw so well potty trained that he would only go on command. When the owners left him with someone else when they went on vacation the bird did not go AT ALL for a couple days and he got very sick. They brought the bird to the vet, and the vet knew the owners and knew about the 'potty command' so they called the owners (still on vacation) put the phone up to the bird, and the owner gave the command. ... ... there was quite a mess to clean up, but that bird has likely never felt that much relief.

This of course is an incredibly unusual story, but it shows they CAN be potty trained. I think many bird owners are content with getting a majority of their business done in one spot while being willing to clean up the occasional stray.

 

[TexDot33]

No birdy diapers here ... but I am stock-piling a load of baby diapers .. I think we have 3 boxes now ...

As for potty training, Hamlet is completely potty trained ... she will "tell" me when she needs to go and if her "potty places" are in sight she will fly to them and do her business (we are still working on the flying back after ... )

Mac, our GCC, is potty trained in a different type of way, she will only potty in once place ... on me ... still working on that one ... it's a pretty easy process to do, if you want to know just ask and I will tell you how we did it with Hamlet ...

 

[wuvzbirdies]

Hi there,

I’m interested how you did it with Hamlet! I have a 4 month old Congo Grey who thinks his potty is in my cleavage when he is cuddling!!! Can you please please please share your expertise on this subject!!!!!
Sincerely,
April

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Hmm, where's the laughing maniacally emoticon on here? Luckily I'm so overwhelmed with jokes I can't even tell one of them... it's a good thing to, because if I did I'd have to boot myself of the forum!

Auggie used to have a habit of going on me whenever I put on a clean shirt, but never IN my shirt - I think I would loose it then.

 

[Jez]

Thanks for the responses!
I was wondering how you do it too... I'll have to search it.

 

[Eclectus_baby]

My baby is now nearly 2 years old and she basically lets me know when she wants to go to her business.(which is about every 10 minutes - Eclectus Parrot - lots of fruit and vegie) she gets restless and i put her back in her cage - she goes, and i reward her and bring her straight back out. she doesn't fly herself (she shares the house with a rather large dog - so she gets carried everywhere at the moment) We still have a few little accidents sometimes - but i never scold her for it. It's usually my fault for not listening to her "signs". When you see your bird go to the toilet in a place that's appropriate - ie cage - reward them is a must. always tell them how good they are and even give them a "lolly" (ie : i give my baby banana chips as a treat). Hope this info helps you...
As far as bird diapers or nappies - i wouldnt recommend them. My baby hates having her harness on (which i've now given up on) let alone trying to put on a bird nappy..

 

[Eclectus_baby]

Wuvzbirdies > When you are cuddling you baby - try putting him in his cage every 10 - 15 minutes until her goes and then reward him when he goes, bring him out - hopefully he'll get hte hint that your cleavage is not the place to go - instead his cage is the correct place for this. Hope this helps. That's how i started. I used to cuddle with my baby - in her first few months with me . It's our bonding time, but she always used to find a place to have accidents on me. Then i started noticing that right before she wanted to go - she used to get restless... so watch for little signs like that... your bird might have a mannerism right before he wants to go. Mine used to get restless and head towards my shoulder.. so i finally got the hint. so now when we are having cuddle time - i put her back in her cage ever 15 mins to let her do her thing and bring her back to me. She is happier and so am i.
When we started this - i used to have to change my t-shirt like 4-5 times, now i don't have to at all. Sometimes she'll go midst way on the way to the cage but they are accidents. i dont count them - i still give her points for trying..

 

[Jez]

THanks!
How do you get her to show you that she has to go, for the first time (how do you start the "training")?

 

[Eclectus_baby]

oh and as for "going on command" - i wont ever do that.. I wouldn't like being told to go on command - so i don't and wont put my baby through it. She's a real sweetie and when she's ready to go - shes ready to go. I don't want her changing her bowel movements and becoming sick from holding on because she's waiting for a command.

 

[Eclectus_baby]

THanks!
How do you get her to show you that she has to go, for the first time (how do you start the "training")?

Same as if you were potty training a child. you keep taking them to the toilet until they go. Then reward them. They will eventually show you that they will need to go. My mum's bird flies on his own now back to cage to do his business. Mine gets restless, i've heard of other birds squawking before they have to go, your baby will show you.. just watch out for signals...they'll come to you eventually.
Keep persisting - it will pay off. I've never owned a bird before and so far so good.
As time goes on you'll get to know your bird's personality and the different sounds and mannerisms. when they are bored, hungry, wanting attention/affection/food, wanting to play etc. same with potty training, watch for restlessness, crouching down (common one), even if you take your baby back to the cage and she doesn't do anything the first few times - she'll get the hint once you start rewarding her when she goes.. I always make a fuss when my baby goes ie "gooood girl, yay good girl.. good baby" and she knows that she has done the right thing.

 

[Jez]

Thanks! Sounds similiar to potty training dogs.

 

[Eclectus_baby]

yeah absolutely. Patience and persistence. So much fun owning a bird isn't it?

 

[Jez]

Kinda like having a baby with a beautiful array of exotic colors!

 

[roblesandrew]

heheh!
Its a good idea but for birdy dont need it