i screwed up, how do i fix it?

[fricksmom]

you're all bird ppl, you'll understand the lenth of this.

I have a GCC. I essentially raised him in the pet store I work in. He went through many phases (some of which were very acceptable to other people. One of my coworkers at another store referred to it as "the really affectionate green cheek", to biting all of my coworkers after it was returned to our store).and it was good.

essentially, i talked it over with my family and they all saw that I had a special relationship with this bird and it was ok for me to bring it home. and it was good.

all went well. my husband was able to handle it with me home or not. he was working with the bird taking sunflowerseeds from his mouth to teach a "kiss" movement. and it was good.

Then, about a month after we brought it home we were out of town for 4 days....and all has not been good since.

my sweet tolerant frick has become aggressive towards my husband and son. more than just the exploratory nip. Full bite action here folks.

I refuse to accept that this sweet gcc, a social animal who prefers me, will spend its days "attacking" my husband and son. I tested it today with my husband when Frick acted like he wanted to go onto hubby's shoulder. oops...he went straight for the neck and just bit the **** out of him! I blocked him immediately, herded him away from the neck and then asked him to step up...which he did with NO biting.

for those reading on this board, i trust this will be educational. I never wanted a bird. But I spent nearly 6 months learning about the breed, birds in general, taming and retaming this bird in a retail environment. I just couldn't stomach my sweet frick going to some home that would not love him the way I did. Whenever I would walk past his "habitat" he would run to the front and pace back and forth until I came to get him out!
He gets time out of his cage, i've introduced clicker work to him and hope to clicker train several tricks...sigh. I know, in his eyes, I failed him.

What can I do to help repair his relationship with my husband? my son is 4...we'll work on that later once I repair the relationship with my hubby.

thanks for the help

 

[fricksmom]

also, hubby reminded me that frick attacked him when he came to give me a hug/kiss when frick was on my shoulder. We have jealousy issues of course. and he's fine when i'm not around. but boy ohhh boy, if i'm around he goes for the kill

 

[Featheredsamurai]

How old is your green cheek? I used to work at a pet store and too often people will see the baby birds, how sweet they are, then no longer want them when they reach puberty. I always stressed about this before they brought their new conure/parakeet home.

Do you do trick training with a clicker? Trick training is fantastic and great mental stimulation. Have your husband and son ball their hands into a fist if your conure tries to bite, by presenting the back of your hand you can block a bite and not have to back down.

Try to imagine everything from your birds perspective. Since your are his favorite he must get jealous of your son and husband. Letting your husband or son(only one trainer) take on trick training will turn them into a fun person that your bird will be excited to see. Have them start off with touch training to teach your conure how to use a clicker.

all went well. my husband was able to handle it with me home or not. he was working with the bird taking sunflowerseeds from his mouth to teach a "kiss" movement. and it was good.

Careful, our saliva should have no contact with our birds. One reason being the gram negative bacteria that our birds don't have. And remember the biggest rule of all, biting is never the birds fault.

 

[fricksmom]

ooh, i didn't know about the saliva thing. i'll keep that in mind. thanks for that. I'm not clear on his hatch date, but based on how long it/he has been in our store/my care I'm placing him at just coming up on a year (i.e. hitting that lovely puberty).
I will have hubby watch videos of touch training/clicker work to start working the bird. I need to rebuild the trust ... for everyone.

 

[weco]

You don't mention how long it has been since this 4-day sojurn, but you are the only one who can turn your GCC around.....he may blame them for taking you away, but he is jealous about them showing you affection.....plus it's mating season.....

Until his attitude changes, whenever he is on you & you want 1-on-1 time with hubby or son, you need to pick Frick up & put him in his cage & if he throws a fit about it, a stern NO & a disappointed look from you should immediately follow.....being flock animals, they thrive on attention and approval...especially a chosen mate.....

Good luck

 

[fricksmom]

aww, what a sweet reminder i'm Fricks chosen mate! thanks for the bright spot. we came back January28 so not very long. I had NO clue (i know i know...) it was mating season. Great timing on my part huh? but anyway. where was i?
I figured it was jealousy. I try to spend time one on one with him as does my hubby. Luckily my hub is not a squeemish fearful man.
Frick is not throwing fits thank goodness. If I put him up he's just ... well, ok.
The concept of flock animal...I may misunderstand it. I would think he wanted to be part of the big flock?? But there's a conflict with me being his special person? how's this going to work?
You all are awesome! keep it coming.

 

[weco]

You scritch his head, not his back, sides, wings & especially not the tail feathers.....

Oh, when talking about birds, it' species...not breeds...that's for lower animals, like dog, cats & others.....

He is part of a flock....you & your family are his flock.....he might even nip/bite you if he thinks you're spending too much time/attention on someone else.....

 

[Thingamagigs]

Hi Fricksmom and welcome

The following is definitely not a scientific description I just wanted to convey the concept in easy to relate terms.

The whole flock thing works like this... they may pair up for companionship and to make babies... but they are social prey animals and flocking together satisfies their social and safety needs. Most parrots spend less time with the flock during mating season and spend more time with their mate raising their kiddies.
When breeding season is over they return to normal flock behaviours. Some species mate for life and even though they join a flock that pair stays together.

Forget about a flock being a set group of animals; like a family group of dolphins or wolves. They are just members of the same (or similar) species who congregate together So the numbers of the flock may change... they may break off to form smaller flocks or many flocks may join together to become one enormous flock. Individual birds and partnerships may come and go. There is no leader, all animals are on equal standing and they just go with the flow generally following their instincts. They socialise easily with other flock members... if they meet one they don't like they simply move somewhere else within the flock.

 

[MikeyTN]

Oh mating season, how fun....He may have to just stick with you until the season is over. We deal with it often in this household with this many birds. When Malachai reached his puberty, he got mean towards my partner as he finds me to be his mate. He have chosen me from day one, we brought him home at 2 months old. He have tried to mate with my hands, in which I return him back inside his cage when he tries. But that didn't stop him from wanting to attack others when he's on me. BUT once the season was over, he's back to his normal self fly back and fourth between my partner and I so he can visit both of us.

 

[fricksmom]

fantastic information. So, love, clicker training for mental stimulation, consistency and patience.

thank you.

 

[aliray]

The only thing I might add is you may want to stock up on a box of bandaids

 

[Agapornis]

This is all great information! But I have a question, how long does mating season last????

 

[faeryphoebe1]

The only thing I might add is you may want to stock up on a box of bandaids

lol, yes. My experience was one month of Trixie drawing blood. After that, we were fine. I've learned to read her body language and that has helped a lot.