Reluctant to leave cage

[Matt_95]

Hey guys, I, hoping I can get some advice here. I have an outdoor cage for Calvin, the reason for is is that I don't have enough room inside for a larger cage that he needs. He also has a smaller cage for sleeping in. My problem is that he doesn't step up when he is in his cage. And he won't come out of the cage a lot of the time for me to pick him up. Most mornings I end up having to put my hands around him and pick him up out of the cage to move him. I don't like doing that but my place of work is very strict about time, everything is timed down to the minute. Is there anything I can be doing to encourage him to voluntarily leave his cage? I've tried treats and he won't budge for anything.

 

[Jayyj]

Target training! It's perfect for this situation - start out of cage, get him used to chasing the target and getting a reward, then gradually work towards situations the cage: targeting inside the cage, through the bars etc, working up to using it to getting him to come out. I'm using targetting to help my bird get over a fear of flying and although it's slow going it's beginning to work.