Update on Whisper

[Dopey]

I think we are making progress.

Play gym - last night I got it to the point where I could actually move him from his cage to sit on the play gym. I'm having to put other things in priority right now so the gym is progressing when I can work on it.

Treats - he takes treats ever so gently. You would never have known that he bit me two weeks ago.

Eating - he still likes his safflower seed mixture. I offer him two types of pellets and he tries them but really just manages to chomp them to powder. He gets fresh veggies, nuts, and banana chips too. His favorite nuts are walnuts and pecans.

Toys - of course he has toys and although he does love foot toys he is exploring other toys (and sometimes chomping them to bits and pieces). He loves the loofahs though and it is funny to watch him chomp on them.

He lets me scratch his beak in and out of the cage. A couple of time I have managed to touch his feathers on his head. :09:

He still chomps on the dowel that I use to get him to step up. He splinters the wood every time. I'm not willing to use my hand to see if its the wood he has an aversion to.

Slow but progressing.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Very good.
Gus also hates a dowel. I removed them all from his cage . When I put some branches in there he made sure to avoid the dowel so i removed it. Once when i tried to place it back he freaked
Maybe try a branch . Stick that's all I use now.

 

[Dopey]

I just haven't gone out and sawed one down yet.
I guess I should put it on my "to do" list and then I will get it done. But it might be after I get his play gym done.

 

[Allee]

It sounds like you and Whisper are making very good progress. Can't wait to see photos of the play gym.

 

[Dopey]

I promise...I will post them. I could post some tomorrow but I don't have the ladders done and I don't have it vet wrapped. I don't think I will get those done tonight. I might get one ladder finished but not sure. I've had to make some adjustments as I went along so it is taking longer than I expected.

 

[Birdman666]

Sally's former owner tried to teach her to step up onto a dowel perch. When she wouldn't get on it right away (i.e. predictably recoiled in horror), she whacked her with it. TO THIS DAY, all these years later, the sight of a dowel perch sends her into a full on panic!

Try wrapping a towel around your arm. Step the bird up with a towel. If he bites the towel, it won't hurt. Then you'll know if it's the dowel.

 

[Dopey]

You know - you keep telling us that and I just don't put the two and two together and do it for myself. I have now put it on my "to do" list. Literally it is on my list in my pants pocket. Tonight though I have to see if I can get my car to the shop to have the radiator fixed. If it leaks...I get bird time. If it doesn't leak all over the driveway I have to take it to the shop and that doesn't leave me bird time tonight. But tomorrow night...bird time for sure.

Thanks again Mark.

 

[Taw5106]

When you are working on the play gym does Whisper see you working on it? Just curious because I'm planning to make one but haven't because Buddy is afraid of everything. But if he sees me touching something it's ok. That cracks me up, I finally got him to play with a little ball. But it can backfire like when he was on my shoulder, for a while too, I pick up a donut hole and while I'm biting it I find a beak biting the same donut hole. No worries he tossed the chunk he took. Is Whisper adventurous like will he accept the play gym right away or will he have to warm up to it? You are doing great with Whisper.

 

[Dopey]

You know - you keep telling us that and I just don't put the two and two together and do it for myself. I have now put it on my "to do" list. Literally it is on my list in my pants pocket. Tonight though I have to see if I can get my car to the shop to have the radiator fixed. If it leaks...I get bird time. If it doesn't leak all over the driveway I have to take it to the shop and that doesn't leave me bird time tonight. But tomorrow night...bird time for sure.

Thanks again Mark.

Mark - I tried the towel thing and at first he ran...all over the top of his cage. I didn't chase him...he just ran. Then he finally came over and dug his beak into the towel while at the same time putting up his right foot and holding on for dear life until his left foot get a hold and he flaps his wings while still digging in with his beak and then he settled down and let go of the towel with his beak. I understand that birds use their beak for balance but Whisper digs in and hangs on.

From further observation it appears he has a hard time balancing when leaving the perch he is on and stepping onto the next one.

When you are working on the play gym does Whisper see you working on it? Just curious because I'm planning to make one but haven't because Buddy is afraid of everything. But if he sees me touching something it's ok. That cracks me up, I finally got him to play with a little ball. But it can backfire like when he was on my shoulder, for a while too, I pick up a donut hole and while I'm biting it I find a beak biting the same donut hole. No worries he tossed the chunk he took. Is Whisper adventurous like will he accept the play gym right away or will he have to warm up to it? You are doing great with Whisper.

I put Whisper on the play gym Monday night for a while and he would look at the toys and reach out to them but not really play with them. Last night I put him on the play gym and he played pretty hard with one. Beaked the orbit so that it would swing but he won't get on it. I obviously wasn't paying attention because at one point I noticed he had gotten up to the top of the pole of one of his toys and he couldn't get back down to his favorite position on the gym. I observed for a while and he just appears to be unsure of his footing. I'm hoping it's because he was cage bound for so many years and he just needs to build up his strength.

Whisper was able to watch me put the play gym together. I did the drilling and cutting on another floor but always brought the pieces back up to put them together in the room where he is in.

 

[Dopey]

Wednesday update - so last night my step-son gave Whisper a scare and Whisper had a hard time breathing and it took him a while to come off of his favorite perch. It took us a while to figure out he was scared and not really sick. Eventually he came off his perch and out of his cage but man...today I'm still upset about the way my step-son approached Whisper's cage. (I will get over it.)

I managed to get Whisper over to his play gym. I used the towel method but he really has a hard time stepping down to another perch. (We will have to work on that.)

Whisper will let me pet his beak but I do approach him cautiously. Until I get the play gym vet wrapped and sisal wrapped (a little of both) I don't think he is going to explore too much. He did play with one toy quite a bit last night (see above post).

This morning I took some time to sit in front of his cage and just look at him and talk with him. He looked back. I am able to stick my finger inside his cage and pet his beak. This morning...he gave me several licks with his tongue. You would have thought we had conquered the world. I can't wait to get home tonight and see what we get done tonight.
Unfortunately I will be going away for a few days so we will probably take a few steps back. But...we are making progress.

I want to thank everyone who keeps encouraging me. Getting another bird was a hard step for me and wouldn't you know it...I would get an Amazon. But Whisper is precious. I have spoiled him again...I bought more stuff from MSBS yesterday.

 

[Birdman666]

Wednesday update - so last night my step-son gave Whisper a scare and Whisper had a hard time breathing and it took him a while to come off of his favorite perch. It took us a while to figure out he was scared and not really sick. Eventually he came off his perch and out of his cage but man...today I'm still upset about the way my step-son approached Whisper's cage. (I will get over it.)

I managed to get Whisper over to his play gym. I used the towel method but he really has a hard time stepping down to another perch. (We will have to work on that.)

Whisper will let me pet his beak but I do approach him cautiously. Until I get the play gym vet wrapped and sisal wrapped (a little of both) I don't think he is going to explore too much. He did play with one toy quite a bit last night (see above post).

This morning I took some time to sit in front of his cage and just look at him and talk with him. He looked back. I am able to stick my finger inside his cage and pet his beak. This morning...he gave me several licks with his tongue. You would have thought we had conquered the world. I can't wait to get home tonight and see what we get done tonight.
Unfortunately I will be going away for a few days so we will probably take a few steps back. But...we are making progress.

I want to thank everyone who keeps encouraging me. Getting another bird was a hard step for me and wouldn't you know it...I would get an Amazon. But Whisper is precious. I have spoiled him again...I bought more stuff from MSBS yesterday.

Give it 6-8 weeks for him to fully settle in. You ARE making progress.

Was the towel wrapped loosely? It might not have been a stable perch, and that could also be the problem. I';ve had fairly good luck with the towel methiod.

Sounds like he jjust hasn't stepped up a lot, and needs step up practice, frankly. I wish I was close enough to do it for you, cuz I could probably fix this one in an hour or two. But I actually have to see what he's doiing ahd how he's reacting to know how to adjust to it..

 

[Dopey]

Here is one view - all of the pictures are a little blurry. Sorry.

I do have the material to cover the orbit in sisal.
There is a toy hanging in the middle of the orbit that he loved tearing apart when it was hanging on the outside of his cage.
I also plan on shortening the bars that are holding his toys so that the toys are closer to him. That means I will have bars of different lengths for small or big toys.


Another view -

Small ladder view - the holes are drilled. (those dark spots are drilled holes) I plan on running sisal through it and string beads and other small bird safe things so that he has something else to do besides play with the big toys.

I do plan on turning the play gym around however the only time I remember that it needs to be turned around is when Whisper is sitting on it and I don't want to do it then.

The front bar will hold a water cup and a food/treat cup. Or maybe foot toys. I also have plans on hanging a play mat for him to keep him busy (as if the decorated ladders and three toys aren't enough).

 

[Birdman666]

NICE! And probably WAY cheaper than store bought.

The way I added treat cups to mine was by drilling out the center of the 4 way connector, and getting those bolt on licksit treat cups. You can switch out the bolt for the right size at the hardware store, and it works great.

 

[Dopey]

Wednesday update - so last night my step-son gave Whisper a scare and Whisper had a hard time breathing and it took him a while to come off of his favorite perch. It took us a while to figure out he was scared and not really sick. Eventually he came off his perch and out of his cage but man...today I'm still upset about the way my step-son approached Whisper's cage. (I will get over it.)

I managed to get Whisper over to his play gym. I used the towel method but he really has a hard time stepping down to another perch. (We will have to work on that.)

Whisper will let me pet his beak but I do approach him cautiously. Until I get the play gym vet wrapped and sisal wrapped (a little of both) I don't think he is going to explore too much. He did play with one toy quite a bit last night (see above post).

This morning I took some time to sit in front of his cage and just look at him and talk with him. He looked back. I am able to stick my finger inside his cage and pet his beak. This morning...he gave me several licks with his tongue. You would have thought we had conquered the world. I can't wait to get home tonight and see what we get done tonight.
Unfortunately I will be going away for a few days so we will probably take a few steps back. But...we are making progress.

I want to thank everyone who keeps encouraging me. Getting another bird was a hard step for me and wouldn't you know it...I would get an Amazon. But Whisper is precious. I have spoiled him again...I bought more stuff from MSBS yesterday.

Give it 6-8 weeks for him to fully settle in. You ARE making progress.

Was the towel wrapped loosely? It might not have been a stable perch, and that could also be the problem. I';ve had fairly good luck with the towel methiod.

Sounds like he jjust hasn't stepped up a lot, and needs step up practice, frankly. I wish I was close enough to do it for you, cuz I could probably fix this one in an hour or two. But I actually have to see what he's doiing ahd how he's reacting to know how to adjust to it..

The towel was loose so next time I will sew some Velcro on a towel and make it tight. Could the dowel be too slick for him as well? I noticed this morning that he doesn't perch on his rope perches much either.

When trying to step up he grabs hold with his beak whatever he's trying to step onto (dowel/top of cage/towel) and then his right foot does a wandering dance until it finds the perch and then he flaps his wings and acts like he's going to fall until his left foot finds the perch and then he pulls himself upright with his beak. The beak doesn't let go the whole time he is stepping up or down and it's a hard bite. Does that help any? I don't have video on my phone so I can't send you a video right now.

 

[Dopey]

NICE! And probably WAY cheaper than store bought.

The way I added treat cups to mine was by drilling out the center of the 4 way connector, and getting those bolt on licksit treat cups. You can switch out the bolt for the right size at the hardware store, and it works great.

Mark - can you send me a picture of that sometime?
I'm sure it was cheaper but a lot of work. If I hadn't had the equipment in my workshop in the basement I would still be cutting PVC pipe. But you know what, Whisper has been worth it and it was fun making and designing my own thing.

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm glad whisper is making progress! All these little steps in the right direction will eventually lead up to a well behaved and trusting bird. Your patience WILL pay off

Edit: I love the gym so far! You've done a great job. And I like the monkey head toy lol. I've seen those on amazon and debated buying one. You'll have to let me know how he likes it. What a spoiled boy Whisper is

 

[Dopey]

So far it's too far away from him to reach. Not sure when I will get to it but I plan on shortening the bar it hangs from (the one horizontal not vertical). We stuck a loofah in it so he would be more interested in. Maybe tonight he will explore the new toy.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

I LOVE it! Zilla needs one!

I am going to show this to my maintenance man and see what he might come up with for Zilla! (hope you don't mind)

I can't afford a store bought one at over $200.00, but I think one like this could be made by someone with the tools and a work space for a lot less!

He already made her a shower T-Stand for about $15.00 instead of me having to buy one from a store for around $100.00.

 

[Kiwibird]

Sally's former owner tried to teach her to step up onto a dowel perch. When she wouldn't get on it right away (i.e. predictably recoiled in horror), she whacked her with it. TO THIS DAY, all these years later, the sight of a dowel perch sends her into a full on panic!

Try wrapping a towel around your arm. Step the bird up with a towel. If he bites the towel, it won't hurt. Then you'll know if it's the dowel.

Who whacks a bird when they don't step up?! That doesn't even make sense in how that would encourage the animal to listen to you. Then again, I watched when we went to pick Kiwi up as his prior owner wrapped a neon-colored beach towel around her arm and went after him with it. Not that he had anywhere to hide besides cowering in the corner of the little crate he was in, but the look of sheer terror on a parrot is pretty universal. She just didn't understand why he didn't like her and was very clear that he "hated women" (FYI, it isn't "women" he doesn't like).

We had much better results with a stick then a leather glove on our hand when he first started stepping up to the hand. The leather prevented broken skin, but it still hurt The wood dowel was quickly splintered and split during step up training. Glad it was a chunk of wood and not my finger he vented his frustrations on at first And we usually use a white or light color towel when we need to get him for grooming and stuff. He is not fond of bright, patterned towels (I wonder why...:20. It makes my blood boil that instead of having patience and working with the bird, some people abuse them or just shove em in a 'cage' and write them off instead of seeking help and advice. Of course, no bird deserves to ever be deliberately abused, neglected or traumatized, but when they are, even when they are fortunate enough to find a home willing to put in the effort, it makes a caring owners job a million times harder.

 

[Dopey]

I don't mind you showing it at all. You have done wonders for Zilla. The play gym was bigger but I had to down size it a bit. It was over whelming me. I have to watch the size of things in the living room otherwise I start having anxiety and then I have to clear the room and start over.