My Abused Conure

[Efren]

I recently bought a pair of Jenday Conures. The male has been abused from his previous, previous owner and the female is tame and fun to hold. The male is now afraid of people and I wanted to know how he can lose the fear of people. Yesterday I took him out of the cage, I needed to use a towel because he was afraid of my hand, and I started rubbing his head and I wanted to know if this is a good strategy for him to start losing his fear? Please post ways he can start losing his fear, he won't even come out of the cage when I leave the cage door open.

 

[cdog]

You NEVER grab a parrot with a towel because it will just ruin the trust even more. Parrots, unless they were raised to be used to towels, are afraid of them so you cant grab them with it. And you NEVER grab your bird unless he wants to be held, if he is running away from you stop right there and dont continue. Everything you just did ruined his trust in you even more.
To gain trust just sit in the room with him, talking to him. After he seems to enjoy your company start moving closer and closer until he is comfortable with you right next to him. Then and only then can you start to teach him step up with a STICK not your hand. Once he is used to the stick start moving your hand so that it is covering most of the stick until you get him on your hand. Keep in mind this process can take a year to do or it could take a week to do, just remember to go at his pace and be calm and take your time.

 

[ann]

jendays are so beautiful, congrats on getting them! i have heard that toweling is used to transport them, and the way you use it. however, i wouldn't recommend it. the bird has to want to come to you, not be forced. comming out of the cage should be fun. now look at it from the birds point of view- a giand hand reaches in and grabs him with a towel, he cant move and now hes being touched all over his face, that's pretty scary. i know you mean well, i just dont think its the right way. how long have you had him, he could still be adjusting. see if he will take food from your hand, if not, sit by the cage and talk to him, read to him, and gradually work your way up. do you plan to breed them, most breeder birds arent very friendly with their owners, but then again, many are. if you plan to breed them,get a nest box. also the cage should be a safe place, not scary so dont reach in and chase him around. his wings should be clipped, its safer and makes taming easier. to take him out of his cage, take his food out and put it near the cage door on a table or something. open the door wide, sit on the floor and wait for both of them to come out, he may learn from the tame female. you have to show him that you wont abuse him, he has to trust you, how was he abused before? you can also take him to room, dim the lights and put him on the floor. he will most likely look to you for security, and climb in your lap, at this time you should give him his favorite treats and talk to him softly. but do this later on in the taming process. good luck!

 

[Efren]

The owner told me he was thrown into the ground. I've tried giving him fruits that Jenday Conures like and he doesn't even touch them. I got them like 1 week ago. The female seems to trust me, but the male isn't tame I think. Also they break all of their toys. What material should the toys be made out of for Jenday Conures?

 

[cdog]

Don't give them fruits based on what you read they like, you have to just try some and see what they like. They are supposed to destroy their toys, that's what toys are for. It just means they like those toys so I would continue to get those toys for them.

 

[friedsoup]

Don't lose hope take it from one who has used the toweling method and had it work wonders it can be used to help a bird get used to being held (is it not first response method ) remenber to hold loosely like a burrito, holding to tight will cause even more panic he should settle down quickly and then you start giving scratches on the back of the head and as you feel the bird calm loosen your hold slowly the best outcome is the bird stepping out of the towel shaking out his feathers and standing on the towel in your lap letting you slowly scratch his head after that you should no longer need the towel. Again I say this is not a first response method but it is a useful tool used correctly and shouldn't be used for than a few days I've never had to use it for more than three days. Feel free t leave me a message or send me an e-mail at [email protected] gook luck!