Cage=Brat

[Helitorian]

Lately, I've been having a problem getting Con out or off his cage. When I reach in to get him, he steps up onto the back of the cage where I can barely reach him or if he's on the outside, he runs away and hides. It's a fight each time I have to get him to leave his cage. Anyone have any idea why he does this and how I can get him to stop. It's getting rather annoying and any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

 

[Customcasket]

My dusky does this! I try to not let her get onto the top of the cage. If she decides she doesn't want to come out with me when I offer my finger I just shut the door and tell her its her loss and go take one of the other birds out. Normally just getting left in the cage is enough to get her to come out next time I offer to bring her out. I refuse to play her games.

 

[Helitorian]

I'm thinking he's reached the terrible 2's stage since he's gonna be 8 mo old on the 9th. I just don't know what to do to curb this behavior. If I take him off the cage, he tries desperately to get back to it and if I take him out of the room, he has a fit unless he's on my shoulder. This has just started happening within the last week and a half.

 

[roxynoodle]

I would try opening the door and then sitting down on the floor. See if he will come out on his own and come down to you.

 

[Helitorian]

Something I forgot to mention was that whenever I tried to pick him up, he'd start regurgitating on my hand. I'd pull away then try again and that's when he would run away.

 

[Spiritbird]

Birds do what birds want to do. Please do not reach into the cage to get bird out. You will end up with a cage possive bird with behavior problems. It may be a good idea for you to read up on parrots. Here is a good link:

 

[Helitorian]

I just figured out what's wrong! Con stopped coming to me because last week when we had his vet appointments, I'd reach in and he'd step up, go in my jacket then off to the vet we went. He's associating me picking him up with the vet! I'm guessing I need to handle him with a positive outcome to get him over the vet scares. I feel so stupid for not realizing this sooner. Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[Spiritbird]

Oops here is the link https://companionparrotonline.com/Member_Articles.html

 

[roxynoodle]

I just figured out what's wrong! Con stopped coming to me because last week when we had his vet appointments, I'd reach in and he'd step up, go in my jacket then off to the vet we went. He's associating me picking him up with the vet! I'm guessing I need to handle him with a positive outcome to get him over the vet scares. I feel so stupid for not realizing this sooner. Thanks for all the advice guys!

Rowdy got that way a bit after a vet visit plus medication twice a day. In her case it helped to see the other bird coming out to play with me. It didn't take too long before she decided yes, I would like to come out again! You just may need to be patient.

 

[IcyWolf]

We've been letting our new birds out and I'm pretty sure they were always locked in there cage in their previous home. So they don't always want to go back in. I just put a treat in their bowl and then dim or turn off the lights. Even if they really like being on top of the cage, most birds want to roost in their cage, so if it's bedtime and the lights go off they know to go in the cage