Jack puked, not sure if it was love or I made him sick

[Dooley]

Hello everyone,

Today I was trying to put Jack back in his cage and he started to bite me. He is not doing it intentionally however, he does everything in his power to hang on to me.

When a parrot bites you, I know you are not supposed to make sudden movements or yell. I may be a wuss but when he is biting me and hanging from my skin, sometimes I shake my head or make noise.

Today Jack was doing everything in his power not to go back in his cage. He bit me continually until I could not take it. I rememberd a video I saw on Youtube, Chet Wolmach would gently shake a bird to stop him from biting. I do not know if this is a good idea or not. When Jack would not let go today, I decided to give it a shot. He bit me and I shook my arm a bit making him lose his balance. This continued a couple of times until he started shaking his head like crazy. Out of knowhere I saw a him throw up. He flung his head a couple of times and with the momentum, the puke stuck to the top of the cage.

Did I make my bird sick? Did he decide to say I love you at the worst possible time? Is this bird trying to make me think he loves me by regurgitating ( choosing me)? Hoping I won't put him in the cage then?

Has anyone ever experienced this or am I the bad parrot owner who shakes his bird?

I am hoping for a positive answer on this one.

Thanks again,

 

[greycloud]

Due to the physical description you give, I would definitely say this was actually vomiting and not regurging. First, let me say I am not a fan of Chet's what so ever! The shaking technique is called the "earthquake method". It is highly not recommended. Your bird was obviously physically shaken to the point that he was unable to keep the food in his crop.
It is best to not use this technique to stop the biting. Next time, I recommend that you keep a very yummy treat or a toy in your opposite hand. As you go to place him back in his cage, offer the treat or toy right up to his beak to redirect his attention and immediately put hi in the cage. In time he will learn that the treat is yummy and he gets it when he goes home with out a fight.

 

[Pheonix Rising]

Thr breeders of a previous bird of mine used the earthquake technique and it worked with great success
however they implement this from word go with their babies so it becomes learnt of
bite shake no bite no shake
from 4 months onwards ( just 3 weeks after picking him up ) I never had any following problems with him

However to an older bird this technique can be very unnerving and even dent your bond with the bird if they feel like everytime they are on you the perch could drop at any time

Good on you for trying something new but perhaps this is not the correct technique with this bird

 

[Ecclipse]

If a child in the class Im teaching misbehaves or becomes disruptive I pick him/her up by the feet, lift them upside down and give them a good shake....this will only work if they are no older than 7 years as they tend to become too tall and heavy - when they are older its more traumatising because they arent used to the method. I have to use both hands to keep them lifted off the floor and to shake them at the same time.

SOUND BARBARIC???? Good thing I was talking nonsense....whats good for a child is good for a bird - you dont see people shaking eachother.

I agree with Greycloud - do not use that method, it will do more damage than good. Please Dooley dont feel bad or guilty for using that technique - we all make mistakes. I have made tons!!!! At least you had the guts to ask for advice - for that I think your a great guardian

 

[antoinette]

I agree with GC and Ecclipse, never ever shake a bird. Treat others as you would like to be treated, human or animal alike.
Rather distract him as GC mentioned, try using his favourite toy perhaps.

 

[Spiritbird]

Shake a bird = never would I do that. It could lead to distruction of your bond. easy for me to say because I am not the one being bitten but distraction as GC mentioned may be the way to go. Is your birds cage a happy home for him? Does he like it? Mabye the addition of a night cage would be a good thing for him. Also when a bird is being "bad" take him to a room or place he is not used to if you have a place like that.

In addition to the above watch your birds body language very intently as they give off clues when they are ready to bite. You have to be fast with this one. If you see raised head feathers or a subtle look of the eye may be an indication that a bite is coming. Biting is a frustrating behavior our companion birds learn and that is why people like Chuck W. can make money off of this. A busy beak (treats or toys) does not bite. The book Parrot for Dummies has some very good information on biting birds. Hope you can work it out.

 

[Ecclipse]

SB has some valuable points - check to see if your birds cage area is a place that is fun and exciting. How much time do you spend with your fid? With my last bird I spent alot of time with him on my shoulder and didnt teach him to just chill playing by himself when I was in the room. He became clingy and didnt learn to entertain himself. How about using a perch to get him back into the cage? What you do is get him used to stepping up onto a perch that your holding and when you need to get him back in the cage he steps up onto the perch and then you can get him back inside. You wouldnt need to use it all the time as it would only be needed for when he has to back into the cage - just an idea

 

[greycloud]

Also, The Earthquake Technique if used, must be learned and performed properly. It is not actually a shake but a slight drop of the hand or arm to unsettle the bird for negative behavior. This is a form of negative reinforcement. It has been found that birds respond much better when positive reinforcement is used. By offering the bird a treat or toy before actual negative behavior occurs you are eliminating any negative reinforcement and behavior at the same time.
Like Spiritbird said, maybe the cage is the issue. Does he have fun toys to keep him busy? Location of the cage could be an issue. Is the cage in front of a window? Some birds can become over stimulated or stressed by what they outside.
Remember, everyday we learn new things about our birds. We are not thinking ill of you for trying to change your birds biting behavior. Sometimes we have to try new things to see what will work. By coming here and sharing you will learn from many with lots of experience and what works best. Try the positive reinforcement and redirection of attention. Let us know if you have any further problems.

 

[Beilana]

I was also mislead into this "earthquake technique" when I had my first conure Yoshi. Yoshi would bite and I would drop my hand "shaking" him. When he would nip which was frequently I would "shake" him. This only made things worse. The more I "shook" him the more he would nip at me until finally I decided that it was totally bogus and instead of "shaking" him I would offer him his favorite treat and not react to the nipping...this worked wonders and didn't destroy our bond. Every bird is different and you will have to find the best solution for you and your fid but I promise you that shaking your baby is never the answer

Ecclipse I know its not funny but you sure got a giggle out of me with that sarcasm! lol Your poor children....

 

[Dooley]

Jack has a nice big cage full of toys. I have tried to use the redirect apporach but, he is too smart. He knows exactly what is going on. On November 1st he will get a new toy for his cage. I purchase a new toy every month for him, to ensure he is continually stimulated.

I love spending time with Jack and when we are out we have so much fun. I am a really animated character (big kid at heart) kids and birds seem to really like me. This is because I am always performing, Jack loves when I get him so excited that he screams. I could try making it less fun to be out of the cage but I don't want him not wanting to come out.

He is not being aggressive with me. He just leans back while on my fingers causing himself to lose his balance and then bites my fingers to hold on. when we are out of the cage and he wants to nibble I just ask for a kiss and he stops immediately. I kiss him and give him a treat if I have one on hand. As far using this method to put Jack back in his cage, it seems that whatever I try to do he just wants to stay out with me.

I would really like a suggestion that doesn't involve him training me. I want to be the one who is in control when I need him to go back.

Thanks,

 

[greycloud]

Well, the suggestion that several had are for you to train him. Maybe you are over stimulating him when he is out. While it is fun to get him dancing and screaming it make take him over the top and he has difficulty calming down. Try working with him outside of his cage but in a very calm but pleasant manner and see if it goes any better.

 

[Spiritbird]

Ok try this. Put a perch on the inside of the cage door. When you want the bird to go back in cage open the door so the perch is not inside the cage. Put your bird on the perch and try closing the door gently until he is inside the cage.

 

[Dooley]

Thanks guys,

I made sure not to get Jack overly excited during our training sessions. He seems to be more focused and I am noticing an improvement. I moved a perch to the door and I got him to easily go on it. I gave him a treat and closed the door.

Thanks again your advice really helped.

Cheers,

 

[Dooley]

Hello Guys,

I was playing with Jack and I didn't even touch him, he was bobbing his head and then he puked. He shook his head again and flung it all over my couch. Is he telling me something?

There was shaking involved again this time. I was playing with him and I bought him a little cat toy ball that has a bell in it. He loves this toy! I was shaking it making noise to get his attention and then I would roll it on the couch.

Did I make Jack puke again? Did shaking the toy infront of him make him puke?

I am hoping he is saying I love you this time.

I am looking forward to hearing from you guys on this one. I have never shook Jack since my last post.

Thanks again,
__________________

 

[Ecclipse]

Take him to the vet...he can check him out to make sure he is ok Then you can be sure that he is just showing love and not trying to tell you he isnt feeling well - rather be safe than sorry