I think I messed up everything!

[Dooley]

I have tried misting Jack and he seems to not like it. I have read that Hahns macaw's enjoy bathing, aswell that bathing is good for their feathers.

I decided to take him in the shower with me today. He seemed ok, I didn't really notice any unusual behaviour. Once I got him out, I put the heater on because he kept shivering. He didn't seem to like the heater, so I decided to give him a couple of treats.

I thought it would be a good idea to train him a little. I am not always around during the day. I made a couple of attempts to train him, Jack had other plans. He just wanted to hide on my back. I asked him to "step up" he just ignores me.

Did I damage our bond by taking him in the shower? Is this normal behavior for parrots when they experience something new?

I will try again to train him at our regular time this evening.

Thanks,

 

[wildheart]

Luckily birds do forgive! I just told another member the same thing now, parrots feel extremely vulnerable when they are wet. It is best to first let him settle in and feel confident before you attempt to bath him again. Best is to offer him a bowl with luke water so he can decide when he feels brave enough to bath.

 

[Dooley]

I will do this thank you. He seems ok, he just learned a new trick tonight. (turn around) I want to be able to teach him to lay on his back. We have not reached that stage yet, I will keep training jack with the basic's, when he lets me flip him over onto his back then we will try another shower.

What about misting him? He did not like that either. Should I just let him soak himself in his water bowl? I don't want him getting used to this and spoiling his drinking water.

Thanks again,

 

[nofearengineer]

I don't want him getting used to this and spoiling his drinking water.

Grasshopper........you don't really have a choice on this one.

You are going to change about 103,746,982 water bowls full of food and poo in his lifetime. You better get warmed up for it.

 

[Dooley]

I guess I forgot to mention that I am also working on potty training too.This one is going to take some time. I have to purchase a little container to keep on me when he is out. He likes to spend hours with me hanging out.

I guess if he bathes in his water all the power to him. Is there a chance of him getting sick from this. I freshen his water when I get home after work everyday.

Thanks for the info. I think since I have had Jack that I am at 237 lol... I have a ways to go.

Cheers

 

[JawzX]

if he likes his water bowl, you might try a glass pie plate or glass caserol pan (any heavy -so he can't easily flip it-, bird-safe large shallow bowl you have...) filled with a couple inchs of warm water and see if he likes to bathe in that. If you can set it on top of his cage, or somewhere he feels safe and you can leave it for a while with him, he may just decide to get nice and wet on his own. if he uses the bowl, one he gets used to it and will bathe in it regularly, you can try misting him while he's splashing around in it. He's already into "bath mode" then and may be more receptive to getting a good soaking.

this worked for my Alexandrine.