support for new Eclectus owner

[kellycraig125]

Hello. I just got my new Eclectus girl two days ago. Did a lot of research before I got her. She is 6 months old. She is sweet, but still shy and wants to stay in her cage mainly. She will step up when she feels like it and nips if she doesn't. I certainly do not make her come out if she doesn't want to. Anyway, I just thought since I am a new owner you guys could give me some advice? I want to socialize her and such but do not want to push her whatsoever. I assume I should just let her hang in her cage as much as she wants while continuing to talk sweetly to her, etc. and let her come out as she wants? She doesn't seem to want to play a lot (though I do have many toys in there with her), she mainly wants to just sit and look around. Again, I've only had her a few days, so I assume this is all normal? Thanks!

 

[labell]

At 6 months old she is a baby and you do need to be getting her to step up to your hand as well as on and off a stick. This stage is critical with a female, give her a treat and praise her, eclectus are especially food motivated. Let her tell you when she comes out and you are begging for problems down the line.
Female eclectus can become very cage aggressive so it is best to nip this now. When I first got Jillie I had to use a stick from inside her cage and then once she cleared the cage door she would step on my hand pretty as you please. After months of this she realized when I want her out she comes out no choice. Now she lovingly and happily steps up from any where in her cage or out without using a stick. (Though I still use one once in a while to keep her used to it if I ever need to get her fast and she is being grouchy.)

There are a lot of old post here in the eclectus section as well as the website "Land Of Vos" that will keep you busy reading about these wonderful parrots for some time.

 

[labell]

As for playing..I find the boys want to play with toys more than the girls but I put a basket on top of my females cages with lots of foot toys and shred-able stuff and they LOVE that. Jillie climbs right in the basket to play and toss stuff all over the room for mommy to pick up at least 8 times per day!:54:

 

[labell]

Oh one more thing concerning the girls. What I have found is that it is much more common for them to go into this trance like state. I don't know maybe it's a coping mechanism from living their lives in the wild mostly in a nesting tree hole. Any way the girls you think can be looking right at you but when you reach in the cage they seem startled and will bite so with the girls I always make sure I have their attention by speaking to them and saying step up each time. It will save you some startled bites! They do tend to day dream a lot!

 

[kellycraig125]

Thanks for the response. I will try a stick for now and keep working with her. I know it's critical to train her, I suppose I just wanted to give her a little space since I've only had her two days. What kind of stick do you recommend? Just a wooden dowel?

 

[kellycraig125]

And I could use millet as the treat/motivator?

 

[labell]

Yes, just a dowel or extra perch. Millet is okay and I do use it for transitioning babies to real food from formula but I prefer small pieces of nut or sunflower and anything they particularly like as training treats.

I also don't always use food, sometimes it is just praise. My eclectus always have lots of fresh fruits and veggies available to them so if its right after they have eaten a big meal (if this is your first eclectus you will be shocked at how much food they need and will eat all of it) then it's just praise.

 

[kellycraig125]

Ok, I'll use small pieces of nut or something. She is eating real food, I've done extensive research about what to feed and what not. She isn't eating a lot really yet, but I'm still offering it. Like I said, I haven't even had her a fully 48 hours yet. So far have offered carrots, grapes, banana, sweet potato, collards, strawberries. I'm going to try and chop it really fine in the food processor and see if that interests her more.... I think she's just shy and new right now. Also, I think they were giving her more seeds and pellets at her previous owner, so I'll have to transition her from that.

 

[labell]

I use the Volkman's seed for eclectus at night (small amount) but no pellets. There are great recipes for eclectus on The Land Of Vos if you have not already checked it out you will love it.

THANK YOU for researching the diet before bringing your girl home, many don't and are shocked by not being able to throw some seed and pellets at them and calling it good.

 

[katie_fleming]

For target training I just use wooden chopsticks for Jasper. Grab them at a fast food restaurant nearby. They're untreated and work well.

Looking forward to hearing all about her!

 

[kellycraig125]

I will check out the recipes, thanks! I already have the Volkman eclectus mix and that's the only seed mix she gets, only a little at night. She did better eating yesterday and this morning. I chopped her veggies and fruits in the food processor and then mixed in some cooked lentils and she seemed to really enjoy that.

Additionally, we practiced "step up" for about 15 minutes yesterday. After she'd do it, I'd praise her and give her a little walnut piece (which she loves) and then put her back down. We did it several times and she seemed to be getting it. Of course, the trick is to get her to do it when she is feeling stubborn about getting out of her cage. But she did seem to be doing better yesterday and this morning about coming to me when I wanted her to. The chopsticks idea is really good...