What kind of bath?

Rocky spent a lot of time preening today (his second day with us but first full day) and I'd like to offer him a bath. But I don't know what he might like. He's very afraid of odd things and I know he's been mistreated in the past. I moved a stool this evening so I could sit nearby and talk to him and that terrified him (not me, the stool). I don't want to do the wrong thing and destroy the trust I'm trying to build. My tiels love to be misted. My Quakers are okay with that but also like a dish of water. I don't have a dish big enough for Rocky (I'm going to look for one) so I thought I'd try misting if that's something 'toos like. Warm or cool water?

Siobhan said:

Rocky spent a lot of time preening today (his second day with us but first full day) and I'd like to offer him a bath. But I don't know what he might like. He's very afraid of odd things and I know he's been mistreated in the past. I moved a stool this evening so I could sit nearby and talk to him and that terrified him (not me, the stool). I don't want to do the wrong thing and destroy the trust I'm trying to build. My tiels love to be misted. My Quakers are okay with that but also like a dish of water. I don't have a dish big enough for Rocky (I'm going to look for one) so I thought I'd try misting if that's something 'toos like. Warm or cool water?

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A Jacuzzi with candles, soft music and some wine.....Least mine like that...

Just Kidding, My Major Mitchell cockatoo loved the shower perch. I put a perch in the shower that has suction cups and cool to luke water....loved it and would be in there for an hour. My Zons are the same way.

Cockatoos usually take longer than other species to adapt. If they've been mistreated, it's hard to know what will startle or absolutely terrify them. I would start by showing him a mist bottle from a safe distance away and watch his reaction. If he isn't accustomed to bathing or if someone has used a spray bottle to punish him, it could be traumatic and he'll let you know.

Poppy was afraid of mist baths for months because it was a new experience, she loves to take showers now. She will also stand over her water dish and slap the water with her foot until the bowl is empty, then yell for more water. I've seen several umbrellas do that. I let her have her fun, but she doesn't get to count it as a bath.

After Rocky has had time to build some trust, you can see how he feels about taking a shower with you. A lot of Toos love showers and it saves cleaning up gallons of water.

Poppy prefers cool water.

Eventually we can try that, but he won't go out of sight of his cage right now. It's the only constant in his life and he freaks out if he can't see it. So no shower until he settles down.

Siobhan said:

Eventually we can try that, but he won't go out of sight of his cage right now. It's the only constant in his life and he freaks out if he can't see it. So no shower until he settles down.

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Ohhhhh I see, only a full day with you?

Well it will take a good couple weeks to adjust to it's surroundings....then another month to adjust to your ways and routine to where it's comfortable. Don't be surprised if it takes much longer. My Zon's both took a while before they opened up. Trust is never given freely from a bird, it's earned.. and it can take time.

I know that. We have eight other birds and two at Rainbow Bridge. I expect it to take even longer with Rocky Too since he's had so many homes and was mistreated along the way. We have to get to know each other and we have to learn his signals and preferences and what scares him and it's going to be a process.

I mist Peanut with a spray bottle using warm water. She doesn't care if it's warm or cool but my other fids like it warm so that's what I go with. Your Rocky sounds SOOOO similar to my Peanut! We still find objects that she is scared to death of! Laundry baskets is what she seems to be most scared of and I don't even want to think of the reason that would be!!! She, also, doesn't want to go out of sight of her cage, as her previous owner kept her in her cage and covered 24/7. I'm sure Rocky will open up and you will do fine with him. They are such sensitive parrots!

The biggest obstacle I have with bathing some of my Toos is not fear but their aversion to the misting or kitchen sink faucet. They much prefer bathing on their own terms by dunking in water dishes. Perhaps you might try placing a wide relatively flat (stable) bowl at the bottom of Rocky's cage. Cleanup might be messy, though!!

OTOH, 2 of my Toos in flight cages love misting so much I purchased a pump-action insecticide* sprayer from Home Depot. Simply fill it with water, pump the handle to pressurize, set the wand to fine mist, and watch them thrill to a nice simulation of rain! They dance on their perches, unfold their wings to display, and have a great time.


*Needless to say, it was purchased new and was never filled with anything but water!!

I'll offer the misting and see what he thinks, if he's not afraid of the bottle. If he is, I'll look for a dishpan today and offer a tub. I'm sure he desperately needs a bath.

Siobhan said:

I'll offer the misting and see what he thinks, if he's not afraid of the bottle. If he is, I'll look for a dishpan today and offer a tub. I'm sure he desperately needs a bath.

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Not only is bathing vital and healthy for them, but once dry, their feathers look so much better. Sort of like enjoying a dirty car after a good wash!

Of course, the backdrop to all of this is earning AND maintaining Rocky's trust, so go slow and tread carefully!

I guess a misting bottle with my new goffins is out of the question. his p.o. used one as punishment when he screamed. My BF just loves a mist bottle,shaking her head and spreading her arms. I can use two full bottles on her and she wants more. My grey Smokey <rip> preferred her water bowl! I'd use a mist bottle and she would just look at me and shake her head!

Jim

My friend who helped with the rescue said they told her they used a spray bottle for punishment. Sigh. REALLY? Idiots. So I gave him a dishtub with water in it, but so far he's just looking at it. However, i also gave him an empty cracker box to destroy and that's a big hit. He's saying "ooooh" and tearing it to shreds. LOL

AmyMyBlueFront said:

I guess a misting bottle with my new goffins is out of the question. his p.o. used one as punishment when he screamed. My BF just loves a mist bottle,shaking her head and spreading her arms. I can use two full bottles on her and she wants more. My grey Smokey <rip> preferred her water bowl! I'd use a mist bottle and she would just look at me and shake her head!

Jim

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Two of my five Goffins love baths (the parents) while the three adult offspring range from mild indifference to loathing the mister. I can place the oldest baby under a fine spray in the kitchen sink and he mostly tolerates it. However, they do bathe on their own terms in water bowls, and it's comical because once one starts, the others feel the urge!

Siobhan said:

I know that. We have eight other birds and two at Rainbow Bridge. I expect it to take even longer with Rocky Too since he's had so many homes and was mistreated along the way. We have to get to know each other and we have to learn his signals and preferences and what scares him and it's going to be a process.

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Rocky may take a while being that he's been mistreated and had many homes. But understand, a bird, like humans can have their heart broken many times and pick themselves up and fall in love again.

Yeah it takes time, like my Zon for example took 7 months, did not want a thing to do with me at all....would growl, hiss and snap at me viciously. I never gave up, I still kept voice low, sweet talked to it and she probably wonders " why doesn't he scare like everyone else?" ....
Anyway long story short, she and I are best buddies now....she understands my body language and my mood, and I understand hers....it's quite a bond now and one that took a long time, and one that most people would have given up on her as well thinking she won't change. All birds will change if you give them a chance.

Be the bird, let him get to watch you and your routine and explain every little move to your bird. Sounds silly but they DO understand. My Zon when beginning to trust me questioned everything. What's that she'd say....or where we going??? Never under estimate the thinking ability of a bird, any bird, they'll prove you wrong every time.

Rocky is very affectionate and wants a daily snuggle session. Last night we had band practice and he had a great time. He danced, he sang along (in TUNE) and he was willing to talk in front of strangers. He seems pretty adaptable. He's tired and sleepy this morning because he had a big night. LOL