Lucky's Progress

[AndrewH]

As you know, I brought lucky home about a couple months ago now. Through patience and persistence (and luck ), I have been able to establish trust with her. I can now pet her anywhere, she will roll over for me and we wrestle. It is a lot of fun. She has definitely chosen me as her person (has recently started regurgitating on my hand).

However, my family has made far less progress. Lucky's personality can be offputting to some people (possibly why she has had multiple homes). She postures and growls, but it is mostly an act. She has been fine for weeks with letting my wife and son step her up and move her from java perch to cage and back again...when I'm not around!

So, we had a somewhat decent equilibrium. She likes me a lot and will tolerate the rest of the family. And this is essential because my job sometimes requires me to leave town for a week at a time.

Last night I was weighing Lucky (she's gained 50g!) and thought "it's high time we move forward" and asked my wife to offer her arm to step up off the scale. Well, Lucky decided she would rather not and pinched some skin on my wifes hand. Didn't quite break skin but left a mark (pretty much gone today, but that's no consolation to my wife). She was upset because she was thinking Lucky was warming up to her and she expects all birds to conform to our U2 Samantha's love for any person who will hold her.

I have her calmed down now, but the bite set them back a bit (my son has since held the bird (no petting yet) in terms of their relationship. Also, I tried telling her that if Lucky had intended ill, she could have done much worse. Needless to say, this didn't go over well.

I've told my wife that in the future we will only have her handle the bird when I'm not around as I am likely the cause of the her dislike of other people in the family.

My question to you is is this the best decision (don't force a relationship; just accept that she will more or less be a form of transportation to and from the perch, while I'm her chosen person)? Keep in mind that my wife likes birds, but Lucky's size and dinosaur-like sounds (I've mentioned before that she growls and makes other odd, prehistoric noises, but this is just her way) intimidate her (and the wife regularly talks sweetly and gives Lucky treats).

Thanks!

 

[Spiritbird]

Birds can mimic a growl and not necessarily mean it to sound like I'm mad at you thing. I would continue to try to get the bird bonded to everyone in the family. There was a suggestion in many books I read to play a kind of game with bird and familly. Purpose being to get bird used to more than one person. Have the family sitting on floor and pass the bird from person to person each one talking softly and kindly. Start slowly to be sure it does not threaten the bird. I never did this game because this is a one person household.

 

[2Birds3Kids]

We had this same problem with our adopted ekkie. She drew blood on my husband and had bit 2 out of 3 of our children. I started taking our ekkie out everywhere. She became much more tame and allowed others to pet her. Eventually she started stepping up for all of our children - outside our home at first. Parrot will feel safer with a familiar person, even if it's not their favorite, when they are in a strange place.

I also started having our ekkie sleep in a night cage because she was hyper hormonal and she was very terratorial. My oldest daughter took it upon herself to take Maisy out of her cage each morning so she became a rescuer and has actually become our ekkies favorite, but she spends the most time with me b/c I am home during the day.

I hope this helps you.

 

[Von1983]

I wish you luck!!!

The best way I personally found to combat this, is when Cal did something new I got Dave to repeat the same thing. In essence I think it taught her he was "safe".

As a result, if I'm not available, she'll "make do" with Dave

Cuddles, kisses, preening on both parts....until I walk in lol.

She'll only regurgitate for me too which is sweet obviously, but ummmm....lol

Hope that helped somehow or maybe gave you food for thought!

 

[AndrewH]

Thanks! I think more time with the rest of the familiy is in order. At first, at least, with me not around.

 

[bogo1]

Agree with all posted. Try to set it up so other family members are seen as rescue from cage ...source of treat ...chance to do something fun.