New B&G questions

[scubatiffy]

We adopted Terri, a 5 year old B&G, a week ago. His new name is Terry Dactyl. Terry for short. He is doing great adjusting to his new home and is already learning new words. (unfortunately, he brought "shut up" with him from his old home).

My question is about his behavior. He doesn't really play with toys- I've tried foot toys, wood, leather, rope, etc. (all bird safe). He has no interest in them. He has free range of his cage, inside and out, and his perch all day but he tends to just sit in the corner. Do you think it's because he is still adjusting or it is his personality? I just want a well rounded, happy baby!

Also, the old owner never allowed him the option of a bath (shower, spray bottle, a bowl). My other two smaller birds love their bath time and I know it's important to their health. How can I introduce him to bath time without scaring him? Should I wait until he is more comfortable in his new home?
Thanks for any help!

 

[harlequine]

well it really depends on how long you've had him about the toys. if its within the first day or two he could just be wanting to watch whats going on and adjust. my b&g doesnt care for foot toys either though. How long are you leaving the toys for him to play with? he should have at least 3 hanging toys in his cage at all times, and he needs to have enough time to warm up to a new toy before he messes with it. it sounds like you might be trying too hard or maybe the wrong type, he might not be into foot toys as much. put a couple different types of hanging toys in his cage and leave them there, he most likely will begin to chew them etc.

bathing... its great that you recognize the importance of baths, you might try misting him lightly or taking a bowl and sprinkling water over him with your finger tips just to introduce him to water being on him. after a few times of this bring him to the area where you would bathe him and comfort him, and thats it. the next time you return, have the water running and comfort him, then leave after a few mins. keep taking small steps like this and it should go well. below is the schedule i used to introduce showers for my birds.

Day one: bring bird into the bathroom and show it everything and show it that nothing is going to harm it in the bathroom ("this is the mirror, you see the birdy? thats you! here's the sink, this is the toilet, here is the shower, thats where you're gonna get clean at!" etc)

Day two: bring bird into the bathroom when the shower is already on, again show it everything and point out that the shower is on and its pretty noisy. maybe put your hand in the water then pet the bird with your wet hand on his feet and beak, so he knows what the shower water actually is.

Day three: put the bird into the shower (with the water running) on whatever it will take its baths on. (we have a tension shower rod that we put across) but dont try to get him wet. just let him be on his perch and just sit with the shower running, and stay with him and comfort him.

Day four: put the bird in the shower, and sprinkle water on him from the shower water using your hand. no need to soak him, again its just to show that the water is ok.

Day five: put the bird in the shower, get him wet with the shower water. soak him if he will tolerate it, if not, just get him as wet as he will allow.

If he gets in the water himself just let him do his thing, if it takes more or less time than the schedule says thats fine too. Know his body language, if you feel you can move the process faster go ahead, if he needs more time then take it.

I hope i was able to help you with this

 

[natalie]

MY B&G took about 3 weeks to really come out of her shell when she came home. She was quiet, not very playful, and a bit moody.
I've had her almost a month now and she is now just starting to really play with toys, call out, and do all around more things.
It will differ for individuals, but it sounds like yours is still trying to adjust to all the changes. Keep socializing with him, each day, you should be noticing him coming around bit by bit.

 

[scubatiffy]

Thanks for your help. I love the shower idea. How do you put the rod for yours to bathe? I'm not sure how I would be able to set it up with my shower arrangement.

 

[harlequine]

we just put the rod across the middle of the shower long ways, on the wall, and take it out when bath time is done. i think if you have a walk in shower they make ones short enough for those... another thing i've seen that i really like is using one of those foot ladders with a handle at the top and let the bird stand on the handle, or maybe you could try a plastic chair if it will fit.

i also reccommend getting one of those shower heads on a hose if youre going to be bathing in the shower, that way you can soak birdy from all angles not just the top, just put it on the setting that seems most like rain.

 

[TexDot33]

Shower perches work well too, they are inexpensive and work real well ... the only awkward part is when you have over night guests and they want to know what the "thingy" in the shower is and you say it's for the birds ... you get a few sideways looks ...

 

[harlequine]

TexDot- do you really like the shower perches? I've found that theyre too close to the wall cause my birds like to flap a lot when theyre getting wet and were hitting the wall on the suction cup perch thing... I also like to give them an option to move in and out of the water flow when they choose which they couldnt do with the shower perch, I do admit that I like the idea of the texture on the sandy shower perch cause the shower rod is just smooth and kind of slippery

 

[Catalytic]

I do admit that I like the idea of the texture on the sandy shower perch cause the shower rod is just smooth and kind of slippery

You might try CoFlex-type bandage on your shower rod. I use it on the PVC perch I made for my B&G, and it works wonderfully. I usually get it in bulk on eBay cheap, I don't know how long it would last under constant water use, but it seems to be somewhat water resistant, so it may work for you.

The link below is only to show what I'm talking about in case you are unfamiliar, I know NOTHING about this company, I've never ordered from them.

Lime 4 Inch Co-Flex Bandage (Case of 18) 3400NG Dog Products - GregRobert

 

[antoinette]

Shower perches work well too, they are inexpensive and work real well ... the only awkward part is when you have over night guests and they want to know what the "thingy" in the shower is and you say it's for the birds ... you get a few sideways looks ...

Us bird owner's are always getting sideways looks anyway LoL