Help/Tips for the stores Macaw!

[Karigan]

For your scarlet question, they do have a rep for being more tempormental than other macaws. Nippy and such, though it's nothing that a experienced hand couldn't cure

 

[Turquoise]

I have 2 half scarlets meaning I have Catalina hybrids. The other half is blue & gold. They are hand fed babies & I have been their only owner except their breeder. Neither of mine are nippy or hard to handle in any way. So I personally don't feel that because they are half scarlets or hybrids they are more difficult to own.

I started them out in the beginning with positive training using pistachios since that is their ultimate favorite nut. When they are out on their play perches & it is time to go back to their enclosure I always get their treat bowl which has the pistachios in it. I allow them to pick their own nut out of the bowl if they willingly go back with no fuss & so far I have never had a single incident where I have had either one to refuse or fuss about it. I also give them a couple more once they are back in so they know they will get a treat even when in the enclosure. I believe in rewarding good behavior & my boys know I will never cheat them out of their goodies as long as they are good.

If you can get the scarlet to understand the treat is for being good, it can really help in getting a more positive attitude from him. Macaws are very intelligent & know what you are doing or meaning when working with them better than they let on sometimes.

 

[reptileguy]

Turquoise your family is beautiful!

Ive had a major break through already with everyones advice! Today he stepped up the 2nd time we tried (he bit the first time) and he did great! i was even able to swing him up and down (like the rocket ship boost you do with kids) he was doing awesome!! i cant believe the difference already! i was expecting months for anything close to this! i know for most here this is a daily game but im just so excited i had to share!!

 

[Jtbirds]

That is great! So glad he is coming around.... Keep up the good work

 

[reptileguy]

So i got the big guy out today and you will never guess how he did....hes freaking awesome

 

[Jtbirds]

Haha that is great, did you do what I told you? O I am so glad to see this and he is very beautiful!

 

[reptileguy]

yes ive been doing spot on and its worked great!
Today was my day off so after climbing all day i wanted to see how he was feeling and i think he knew i came in just to see him because this is by far is the best hes been.

 

[Jtbirds]

So glad everything is working out for him, you ask your boss when he gets to come home with you? Lol I am so happy to see this it made my day so much better!

 

[Turquoise]

I think those are some of the sweetest photos I have seen yet! That is awesome how you have turned a 'mean' macaw around. :red:

So often people misjudge macaws because they are intimidated by their large beaks & coin them as mean & unmanageable. I know there are macaws like that, but look at how many so called mean birds have become loving family members when the right person comes along & gives them a chance.

 

[reptileguy]

Just needed some TLC, now we need to work on how hard he play bites. ive been studying the sticky video "no nip" and think that could help out some.

also his nails need to be trimmed, but someone was trying to tell me about some sleeve thing they thought i should wear? i dont think its for me but does anyone know what they are talking about? i know i cant wear gloves because they really freak him out, i think he had a bad experience once.

 

[Turquoise]

The only sleeve type thing I am aware of that is sold online is for the arm to help keep the claws from scratching & cutting the arm while being held. I don't know anyone who uses one or if they work without scaring the birds. The ones Ive seen on some sites that sell parrot supplies are leather, have eyelets that a leather thong laces through & ties on. it looks similar to what is used by Falconry enthusiasts. If that is not it, then I don't know about any other sleeves worn while handling parrots.

 

[reptileguy]

Ya im familiar with some of the gauntlets from back when i volunteered with some bigger raptors and owls but i wasnt sure if what that person was talking about was common practice

 

[Jtbirds]

I've never seen success in the sleeves as really it isn't taking away the issue which is... They need groomed. So really someone will have to restrain and clip his nail points off would be the best way for her not to tear you up so much, you'll still get little red marks probably but not little scratches from her.

 

[reptileguy]

So beleive it or not i have more questions haha.

One side of his face looks like dry skin? does he need lotion or something? i mist him a couple times a week if that has something to do with it.
any websites you guys would suggest for toys?? he needs something to fiddle with while out on his perch and the toys in the store he would destroy in minutes.

 

[Jtbirds]

I'm sure his face isn't dry, but there is a ointment called heal-x Harrison's sells it and you could apply that if you are worried.

I suggest my safe bird store, ester gram parrot creations they are both really great.

http://stores.grahamsparrottoycreations.com/StoreFront.bok

MySafeBirdStore - DISCOUNTED Bird Products - Safe & Healthy from a Bird Free Environment. Best prices on the 'net. Same day shipping.

 

[reptileguy]

thanks again JT. Next paycheck im going to setup him up and little play area in fish department where he can play and i can keep a eye on him while working. If he gets bored than he'll get super destructive and my boss gets mad. It really sucks becuase the owner is just so done with him, im going to pay out of pocket to take him to a bird vet soon too. Its extremely frustrating, if a lovebird looks like it might be sick she (the owner) will literally cry in the store, but she dosnt want anything to do with the scarlet. I think she would give him to me if she didnt care about money so much. but i cant be mad at her, local businesses are hurting so bad, shes always talking about how the store is going under and we barely make it by month to month. She has already lost money in the scarlet so now its like the black sheep of the store and im the only one who cares, but now its starting to hurt more and more because im really starting to like the big guy and the more i get to know him the more i feel bad for him. i even made some kids cry today because they were poking at him making him mad and had to yell across the store and make a scene (i felt sssooo bad after). Its an extremely frustrating situation.

 

[Jtbirds]

Well sadly this is a case of money yet again... I understand her point but you shouldn't have to pay out of your pocket for him unless you own him as it is not quite fair to you, but if that is what you feel maybe then you could mention about what you've already spent and then offer to pay him off in portions? So keep receipts and show them to her and then offer to pay a little monthly? Or weekly I mean she should be be happy to even take that since he is now losing her money..

 

[Ckilburn]

We use to put our Mac baby's in time out if they tried to bite us . Like a kid they respond and learn quick. As for the guy hitting the cage he is lucky the Macaw did not get louder.

 

[emmett518]

The guy who bred my B&G told me to skip trying to clip nails, and instead, get him onto one of those epoxy, sandpaper perches. I did that (removing the dowel ones), and that trimmed the nails just fine. I put the dowels back in, and will repeat when the claws get sharp.

 

[emmett518]

I hope you find a way to adopt him. He's learning to trust you, and if you leave him, he's going to be back to square one. Will they let you work him off at a discounted price?