New owner of a blue and gold macaw

[Lakermatt]

HI All, Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Matt and I am a new owner of a baby blue and gold macaw. I purchased this bird just recently, and as a 1st time owner of a macaw. As a younger man, I have owned Love birds, cockatiels. I have always wanted a parrot or macaw. I found this site as I have A LOT of questions and hopefully some good advice as a new owner of one of these beautiful creatures. I am hoping that since I have purchased this bird as a baby, it will be much easier to train. I have attached a few pictures. I have yet to take it home, as they are still with the parents. Any advice as a new owner?

 

[Flboy]

Read, read, read! Be determined to do it right from day 1! Haunt every post by Birdman666

 

[Lakermatt]

does birdman666 have good tips and suggestions? I am a little worried by that comment... LOL

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hiya, and welcome to the forums. MANY congrats on your new baby B&G! Oh my gosh, what a precious baby bird!!!

Hopefully you'll let the breeder finish hand rearing your baby before you take him/her home, right? If possible, visit him/her while he's growing up, and that will make the transition into your home so much easier.

 

[Lakermatt]

I told him that I am not going to rush him, and that he take all the time necessary for the weaning to happen. This is his 4th set of babies, and he has produced some very big beautiful birds. I am very excited and nervous at the same time!! I am researching some cages online right now. I have a lot of room in my house, so the cage can fit anywhere. I have a very open concept design in my house, so the bird can interact with our family at all times. A lot of windows and natural light, and huge views of the backyard and the pool area. I believe he/she will love its new home!! I think these birds are magnificent creatures that are unreal with their capabilities and sense of humor... it is incredible, and I am over the moon at the chance to experience that as an owner.

 

[Birdman666]

1. Abundance wean and allow the bird to fledge.

2. BITE PRESSURE TRAIN AT JUST OFF HAND FEEDING STATUS... seriously, it's the easiest time.

3. Touch train, from a young age. Touch all over.

4. SOCIALIZE THE BIRD WITH EVERYONE... He'll go to everyone.

5. They don't like being locked up. They want to be with you, and they want interaction.

6. Outside time is important, but first either clip or harness train. (Recall is an inexact science.)

7. You raise a macaw the same way you raise a human toddler, with positive reinforcement, nurturing guidance, discipline, and boundary setting. PERMISSIVE PARENTING AND MACAWS TENDS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ACT UP. IT TAKES A FIRM HAND...

8. NEVER SHOW FEAR TO A MACAW!!!

9. They don't get their way when they scream.

10. All macaws go through a testing phase. Past the test and the behavior stops. Flunk the test and the behavior gets worse. MAINTAIN THOSE BOUNDARIES!

Personally, I find them to be easy birds on so many levels... but we understand each other. (Even the evil ones...)

 

[Lakermatt]

I will definitely take your advice on going and seeing them periodically... when I went to see them the first time and put down my deposit, the parents didn't even want me to come close!! so I kept my distance... I don't blame them.. that's their babies... I just want to make sure that I get hands on with them to get the taming started. I have a 5 year old boy and a curious 3 year old daughter... I want to make sure they are safe around it.

 

[Lakermatt]

Thanks Birdman!! I don't get what you mean on your second advice tip? bite pressure train?

 

[JerseyWendy]

You sound absolutely over-the-moon, and rightfully so!! This will be a great adventure for everyone.

My B&G is in a King's cage, and I love it with a passion! He's been in the same cage for 5 years now, and it has zero wear and tear.
It's this one:
King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

And my GW Macaw in this one, an A&E cagee
9004836 AE Cage XL Dome Top 48 x 36 Powder Coated - DOME TOP CAGES

Since you have ample time, I'd recommend building and/or buying a large playstand for your baby. I use 2 combined extra large Java trees for my big macs. I spent a lot of money on them, and they are now being systematically chewed into pieces. :54:

Here is a link to a fabulous DIY playground:
http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/51070-monster-playstand-tutorial.html

We have numerous other DIY projects listed, just check out that particular section of the forums.
Do It Yourself - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Again, the more time you can spend with 'wee one' (HAHAHA...not for long), the better and easier it'll be. Most important thing is SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE. .... and ask as many questions as come to mind.

 

[Birdman666]

There's a training post on that in this forum already.

The bird has to be taught to control his bite pressure. If you do it at just off hand feeding stage, then they are usually very docile from the get go.

They don't know their own strength. Wait to do it until they have full bite pressure, and chances are there will be a few blood draws when he's learning.

 

[Lakermatt]

ok great. I will look it up. I am planning on getting some books on them for my knowledge. As far as I have been researching these birds, one thing that has not been stressed enough is SOCILIAZATION!! and that's what I am looking for. I am in for the long haul!! LOL

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here are some of Mark's threads (Birdman666)

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48649-screaming-behavior-mods.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/52891-startle-desensitization-training.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49844-some-my-favorite-articles.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48616-types-biting-behavior-mods.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48648-socialization-game-pass-birdie.html

 

[Birdman666]

ok great. I will look it up. I am planning on getting some books on them for my knowledge. As far as I have been researching these birds, one thing that has not been stressed enough is SOCILIAZATION!! and that's what I am looking for. I am in for the long haul!! LOL

That and boundary setting are two of the most critical factors. People get these birds, and then either don't do it, or don't know how to do it... and then don't bite pressure train their birds on top of it...

Then someone gets nailed.

Then the bird gets locked up and labeled a "problem bird," or "aggressive," or some such similar nonsense, when in reality, the bird was just never properly trained...

 

[Weezerj]

ok great. I will look it up. I am planning on getting some books on them for my knowledge. As far as I have been researching these birds, one thing that has not been stressed enough is SOCILIAZATION!! and that's what I am looking for. I am in for the long haul!! LOL

That and boundary setting are two of the most critical factors. People get these birds, and then either don't do it, or don't know how to do it... and then don't bite pressure train their birds on top of it...

Then someone gets nailed.

Then the bird gets locked up and labeled a "problem bird," or "aggressive," or some such similar nonsense, when in reality, the bird was just never properly trained...

....spends years in a cage before the owner decides to give him to a rescue, where someone like (insert any of the wonderful people on this site) adopt them and low and behold, with time and training they become wonderful family members.

Has anyone heard of this before?

 

[Birdman666]

Read some of these:

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/51879-bite-pressure-training-help.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/53232-new-macaw-keeping-2.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/53439-socializing-my-b-g-tinker.html

 

[Lakermatt]

I am all up for the training. I actually will find it beneficial for both of us. I want to stay safe and I want it to feel safe around my family. The above problem I am sure happens all too many times... poor guys just want love!!

 

[Birdman666]

ok great. I will look it up. I am planning on getting some books on them for my knowledge. As far as i have been researching these birds, one thing that has not been stressed enough is sociliazation!! And that's what i am looking for. I am in for the long haul!! Lol

that and boundary setting are two of the most critical factors. People get these birds, and then either don't do it, or don't know how to do it... And then don't bite pressure train their birds on top of it...

Then someone gets nailed.

Then the bird gets locked up and labeled a "problem bird," or "aggressive," or some such similar nonsense, when in reality, the bird was just never properly trained...

....spends years in a cage before the owner decides to give him to a rescue, where someone like (insert any of the wonderful people on this site) adopt them and low and behold, with time and training they become wonderful family members.

Has anyone heard of this before?

nope! Never happens... :54:

 

[Lakermatt]

good articles Birdman... thank you very much. the birds were born on 4/6/15 and 4/8/15. when do you think that I could bring the bird home? Like I said, I want to make sure all the necessary weaning, etc, is done.

 

[Birdman666]

Normally? I think it's around 20-24 weeks... I don't really get involved in breeding issues myself unless there is a problem. I did rescue/rehab. Training issues are more my strong suit...

But it depends on the birds. You don't want to force wean them. You want them eating on their own.

And you don't clip wings until they are proficient fliers, and then you gradually scale back, or you harness train. Harness training is much easier when they are babies because they are simply not all there yet...

If they are conditioned to accept it almost from birth, then they will...

 

[Lakermatt]

I think I am going to harness train. I want to take it places, as we like to do a lot of things outdoors. you always remember the guy with the parrot on his shoulder... right!! I have been you tubing various videos of macaws talking, and it is absolutely hilarious... I have even seen them count and do basic math!! its crazy.. I am soo darn excited about this.. I have a 10 year old great dane at home that might not be as excited though.. he is a big couch potato though.. no worries there.