Small victories

[Jen5200]

I just had to share with people that I knew would understand my need for a happy-dance. My conures hate being sprayed with the water bottle and are afraid of the shower. They've been bathing in their water bowl while I'm at work, which is infernally messy and means that I have to change their water 15x per day. I've bought baths that hang in their cage, I've tried various sized bowls in the cage and on the table, offered the sink and shower....nothing worked for them. FINALLY, I hit one that might work. I bought a 30 oz dish and hung it in the bottom half of their cage (about half full of water). Apparently this is an appropriate "Baby-approved" bath - and I'm able to locate it where it won't soak toys, pellets, perches, etc. Whew - I was starting to think that I would never find a bath tub that they'd use

Then another victory....I've been working for 6 months (since they came to me) to get them to eat veggies and fruit. It's been hit and miss, some get eaten and some don't. Sweet potatoes have been on the list of things that I find picked out and flung around everywhere Proof that perseverance is important and that birds DO change their minds sometimes.... today we BOTH like sweet potatoes and are eating them with gusto???

 

[Notdumasilook]

My sun conure Booger takes his baths every other day... and yes.. usually in his water dish. What I started doing was every time he was in "bath mode" I took him out of the cage and supplied him a lil casserole dish along with a spray bottle of water. Of course... right after his bath I get out the blow dryer set on low.. which he loves!. Still sometimes when I'm not around he plops himself back in his water bowl.... o well... hah.
As far as foods.. congrats on the sweet tater!! Great source of vitamin A for your birdie.. and YES they will change their minds. My lil Booger prefers his sweet tater cut in cubes or slivers after being partially cooked.. just a dab in a microwave. Seems to bring out a lil of the sweetness.. carrots the same way. Another trick I use when trying them on a new food is to eat it myself. Supper time in my house is also "begging" time for the critters and they insist on trying everything I have on my plates. So when I have something I want them to include in their diet I just put it on my plate as well. That's worked really well in getting them to experiment.