I'VE CREATED A MONSTER update

[Tanglwood02]

So I was gone part of the day today and my birds didn't get out until 6:30 PM. When I went to let them out Lars acted totally freaked out by me. I let him out of his cage and it took hours of my trying to get him to take a sunflower seed from me to finally landing on my chest and letting me pet him. I continued with the sunflower seeds until he stepped up on my hand and then I quickly got him in his cage where he proceeded to act freaked out by me again. I don't know what is causing this. He has never been afraid of me while in his cage before. I'm fearful that by me trying to catch him for almost 2 hours last night has gotten him to where he doesn't trust me anymore. Do I just leave him out of his cage from now on and hope that he figures out to go in to eat? I give my birds fresh chop every morning and leave them in their cages for about an hour to eat it but once Lars is out of his cage he will not go back in to eat and that's where his pellets are also. Although like I said I had been feeding him also on top of his cage for fear of him going hungry. I really don't know what to do. I've also considered having his wings clipped but I really hate to do that. I have always left my birds fully feathered.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Regarding wing trims, there are degrees of wing trims. A very conservative wing trim shortens the tips of an IRNs primary flight feathers by only one to two inches and the bird can still fly but not as fast and not as high. This allows you to get him in his cage without too much chasing.
I wouldn't do a wing trim any more severe than that.

 

[wrench13]

I dare say the chasing him for 2 hours to get him back in the cage is the cause of the behavior change. That is a big trust busting move. Some thoughts:

• I'd also go with a light wing trim - remember, wing feathers grow back.
• We have two feeding stations, one in cage for dry foods (pellets, nuts and nutraberries) and a wet feeding station located on Salty's play station for chop. Set up for easy cleaning and chop is available anytime .
• Always measure actions by 'Does this build or break trust'. Parrots are all about trust.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I dare say the chasing him for 2 hours to get him back in the cage is the cause of the behavior change. That is a big trust busting move. Some thoughts:

• I'd also go with a light wing trim - remember, wing feathers grow back.
• We have two feeding stations, one in cage for dry foods (pellets, nuts and nutraberries) and a wet feeding station located on Salty's play station for chop. Set up for easy cleaning and chop is available anytime .
• Always measure actions by 'Does this build or break trust'. Parrots are all about trust.

I think the OP's biggest issue is whether they should let their bird stay out of the cage overnight rather than try to get him back in his cage. They worry that the bird won't even go back in to eat. I don't know the answer and hope someone who knows more than I do can guide them here. How can they get their bird back in the cage in the very short time without breaking trust?

I totally understand the problem. If my budgies give me a hard time about going back in at night, I towel them and put them in, but I'm not concerned about trust with these particular budgies like OP is with their bird.

 

[rheashard2]

I'd investigate to make sure that there's nothing in or around cage that scares him. Birds, people, pets can be freaked out by common things that seem to change with different lighting and shadows. If he didn't act out before then he may have his reasons. I am on the fence about trimming flight feathers. This is a bird, owner situational decision.

 

[Inger]

I'd investigate to make sure that there's nothing in or around cage that scares him. Birds, people, pets can be freaked out by common things that seem to change with different lighting and shadows. If he didn't act out before then he may have his reasons. I am on the fence about trimming flight feathers. This is a bird, owner situational decision.

Agree with checking to see if something in or near the cage could be causing the reaction. As an example, Bumble was acting like an absolute wacko the other day, obviously terrified of something, and she only calmed down after I closed the door on the washing machine.

I'm firmly against wing clipping in almost all situations. Maybe before going that route, try sitting in a dim room with him and have a bounty of high-value treats (I mean the real good stuff-nuts, special seeds, whatever he will think is fantastic) available in your hands. See if he can be lured back to you that way. The dim room is likely to help calm him down and make him a little sleepy.

 

[TiredOldMan]

Okay I will state this once as I will probably henceforth be banned.
I don't believe in clipping.
What is the main characteristic of MOST birds(yes there are exceptions even for parrot species) it's the ability to fly for anyone who is confused.
I will concede the need to clip for new to you birds but only for their safety. I will not degenerate anyone who feels the need to do this for acclimation or short term training purposes.
Do not keep any bird clipped for any extended time. I mean more than 1 to 2 molts this is wrong..
Birds are meant to fly.
BTW I am not an advocate of free flight. In my area too many BIG raptors.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I agree that there is seldom a need to trim a bird's wings for any long period of time but I don't completely rule them out. The feathers will grow back, usually within six months, and by then there should no longer be a need to trim them. I ONLY do very conservvsative wing trims that still allow flight but make flight slower and lower because I also agree that birds should be able to fly- if you don't want an animal that flies, don't get a bird!

I find that with the kind of trim I sometimes do on my budgies, they can still fly about 60-70% of untrimmed. This small reduction is barely noticeable in a small room unless they try to fly multiple laps around the room at high speed.