horrified or is it just me?

[riddick07]

Greys are dramatic when toweled if they don’t trust the humans in the room. I’ve toweled a lot of them and they all do that dramatic screaming like they are about to die. Some realize that we aren’t about to eat them and calm down but others just don’t ever learn it, plus we don’t have the time to teach 200 birds slowly that no the towel is not the enemy. Most just figure it out eventually. If you have a bird that isn’t bonded to any of the humans involved talking to them is basically worthless and you are just prolonging the stressful situation. You can try talk to them calmly but keep the grooming moving along quickly. The faster you get it done the less stressful the situation. If grooming takes two minutes you get them out of the towel within two minutes. If you take 5 minutes to just talk to them to calm them down you’ve know stressed them out for 5 minutes where no calming is likely to have occurred and got nothing done with the grooming. Two people makes it the easiest one to hold plus talk to the bird and another to do the grooming.

We have one Amazon that thinks it’s the time of her life getting toweled and groomed. She’s the strangest animal plus crazy crazy crazy haha

Using two hands for a step up is my favorite way to do it when the bird is being a little fresh. One to distract one to ask for the step up. I’ve found most birds like stepping up backwards or behind to the side. Which is what I would have offered there with the hand distracting in the front. I don’t like to just swipe my hand at them like that since all I see is broken bones occurring at some point or accidentally just slapping them off the perch instead jeez.

 

[Kiwibird]

very true Kiwi as I'm aware after I think you informed me (especially the holding) it just feels a lot more violent in that video. I'm hoping for going to vet visits I can get them to step up for the vet so no toweling is involved but if they do have to I want to excuse myself cause I don't want to see them go through that

I'm guessing that woman has probably handled so many birds that have reacted like this, she's kind of running on autopilot and no longer feels that twinge of pain herself to see and hear a bird so frightened. Kind of like a doctor towards the end of their career who's very curt and straight to the point with patients because they've seen it all a million times and know your going to be fine. If that is the case, probably time for her to retire as birds are sensitive creatures and a little soft spoken reassurance goes a long way.

A vet will still have to restrain a friendly bird to be able to examine them and feel their abdomen. Last checkup Kiwi stepped up for the vet to be weighed and still whined and whimpered while being toweled so she could feel him up for any lumps or bumps. Personally, I like to stay in the room to be there to reassure him that a trusted human is there to protect him and also to give him a treat as soon as he's released

 

[LordTriggs]

not a bad idea there Kiwi, I don't know how well I would do seeing them freak out though, I'm thankful I still feel that gut reaction when I see an animal scared despite being around them for so long

 

[Loz]

I couldn't watch the entire thing. It's upsetting! It is blatantly distressed and they proceed. Traumatizing experience.

 

[MooshieBird]

I have no problem with toweling with necessary. Mushka hates it but when she got her microchip it was done quickly and professionally by my vet. And in an emergency situation I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself if I felt it was needed. I have no problem with distracting your bird to get it to step up if it is wanting to bite you. I think it works better if you have a treat in your hand as it makes it a positive experience but you don't always have a treat.

I have a problem with reaching into a cage, grabbing a birds foot and yanking it out repetitively as a training exorcise. I have a problem with publishing an instructional video on youtube that instructs people to do things that could easily irrevocably damage someones relationship with their bird and has the potential to cause serious injury to either the bird, person, or both.

They would have much better served the public with a video on how to towel in an emergency situation. Like this lady having an injured bird that she was unable to get out of the cage, the correct time to towel a bird. Not the correct time to reach in and grab your bird by their feet and yank them off their perch.

Also it is beyond wrong to use an obviously distressed bird as a training tool.

 

[SailBoat]

very true Kiwi as I'm aware after I think you informed me (especially the holding) it just feels a lot more violent in that video. I'm hoping for going to vet visits I can get them to step up for the vet so no toweling is involved but if they do have to I want to excuse myself cause I don't want to see them go through that

I'm guessing that woman has probably handled so many birds that have reacted like this, she's kind of running on autopilot and no longer feels that twinge of pain herself to see and hear a bird so frightened. Kind of like a doctor towards the end of their career who's very curt and straight to the point with patients because they've seen it all a million times and know your going to be fine. If that is the case, probably time for her to retire as birds are sensitive creatures and a little soft spoken reassurance goes a long way.

A vet will still have to restrain a friendly bird to be able to examine them and feel their abdomen. Last checkup Kiwi stepped up for the vet to be weighed and still whined and whimpered while being toweled so she could feel him up for any lumps or bumps. Personally, I like to stay in the room to be there to reassure him that a trusted human is there to protect him and also to give him a treat as soon as he's released

Yup, I'm always in the room! That way, I'm the guy, he runs to when those white coated meanies let go! 500 grams behind the ears!!! . And, of course the poor gal that collects the payment gets an ear full of his opinion on the level of service provide that day!

 

[bigfellasdad]

Maybe I over reacted a little if this is considered the normal. I guess Enzo and I are very lucky that she never needs this done to her, and also lucky she trims her own beak and toe nails.

Still, poor little Billy.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

As I have mentioned many times,Smokey just HATED hands..PERIOD! Even after 28 YEARS,she'donly step up to my hand if it was her ONLY recourse.
Oh she LOVED being on my shoulder,or head,and would stay there for hours,but the HAND was an evil appendage to her.

Soooooo...when it came down to taking her to see her doctor,the towel was needed. Oh sure,she growled at me like a pack of mad dogs,for YEARS,and give me serious evil eyes,but once she was PROPERLY restrained and knew the fight was futile..even though she was still one P.O. grey,she would calm right down and not try to fight it. Oh she'd nibble/chew the towel,grumble and swear at it,but as soon as she was placed in her carrier,she'd turn to me with a stern look on her face..give me a VERY sharp and shrill WOO! (as if to say "so there! butthead!)..then carry on like nothing happened
( Dang...I miss that creature :02

That video..I still can't properly express my feelings..I'd get booted with Al from this place if I did.

I applaud you M'Lord,for doing what you did! BTW? any comment from YT?? lol.



Jim

 

[bigfellasdad]

I only have experience of Enzo with parrots, she will often not want to step up, maybe 80% of the time. I allow her some time, 10-15s and ask her again... if she wont at that point ill go away for a few minutes and leave her alone. When I come back she will step up. She is very stubborn but she is getting to realise how stubborn I am

Most of the time when she finally gets on my hand she will give me a mild chew to show me she has given in but not happy about it, but seconds later she is happy its just a getting to know each other and dominance thing i think.

Ive never needed a towel, but Enzo is a sweet heart.

One other thing, Enzo will give a single 'hoooo' if she is not happy with a situation, her body language mostly remains neutral when its just me and her.