Got some great advise

[brittani299]

I went to a new bird store in my area for some new perches and toys. I talked to the guy about my 5 year old bfa Tiki who has some problems. He told me to come back Saturday to talk to the owner about it and bring him in. So Saturday I brought him in and she asked me to tell her about him. After I told her about him an his cage she gave me some great advise. She said he is a pretty good bird. He doesnt bite, scream, pluck feathers, or look unhealthy. She said to no longer let Tiki on the top of his cage. She said it is a power thing if he is above you. She also told us to put him to a schedule. After she looked at him she said that it looks like he is for sure a mans bird. Tiki adores my bf and luckily he likes him as well. So we started everything she said and Tiki is stepping up way more! So when we open the cage he has a choice of coming up on you or staying in the cage. He is about 1/3 of the time choosing us which is better then not doing it at all. So as soon as we pick him up it is straight to the play stand so he cant get higher then us. I for sure learned something. We were letting Tiki stay on top of his cage day and night because we couldnt get him to stay in the cage. So he was always above us. He will try to climb to the top still but we stop him before he gets far. I am so thankful for this advise and I hope with more consistency we can get him to become a wonderful bird.

 

[Dougc1369]

Sounds like you got some good advise there. I got similar advice from a vet friend last friday. Covering his cage and putting him on a schedule will help keep him calm. She also suggested leaving the tv or radio on when you leave home to help keep him entertained.

Doug

 

[Motogordo]

Feb. 3,2014

That is good advice about not letting the bird on top of the cage if you want to pick him or her up and take them to the birdstand. I have 3 cages side by side in my kitchen. They are about a foot apart. If one of the birds is out on the stand, which is in the next room, and flies to the top of anothers cage KILL. LOL. They will scream at each other and when I stick my arm between them to break it up WAM, they will take a chunk out of me. Below eye level is always a good thing. Their cage is their castle and don't dare try to invade it unless you really know the bird won't bite. I can take all three out from inside their cages, but then I go right to the stand.

Gordon

 

[Birdman666]

That's one of those things I have mixed feelings about.

"Height dominance" to me, is a myth. What is happening is the bird, on top of his cage, is in a position where he cannot be controlled and he knows it...

Once the bird it fully tamed and bonded it won't matter so much, in the beginning, it certainly can.

My playstands and playtops are all higher than me, and mine don't misbehave.

My zons go into a tree and go all the way to the top sometimes, but come right back down to me when I call them.

What this means is there is still training work to do, but you are now on the right path.

Step TWO in this training, is if he wants to go up there, he must behave. Somewhere down the road, when he seems like he's ready, try step two.

For now, step ONE works. You're not allowed up there until you learn to behave...