Jasper update and questions.

It's been a while since I posted about Jasper. To remind you, he's been with us for a year and a half. I've never been allowed to touch him, unless I want bit. Every morning and evening I get a hiss, crestie, and tail flare as greetings.

So now he has started doing his silent beg for snacks. I know feeding birds chips is bad, it doesn't happen often. Watch and then I have a couple questions.

[ame="https://youtu.be/E0HtcCnG9Po"]https://youtu.be/E0HtcCnG9Po[/ame]

First, he is actually asking for something from me which is amazing... so what can I give him instead of a chip? It's the only thing he asks for and any kind of chip. I've tried crackers with no success.

Second, I'm not sure if you can tell from the video but he has had a heavy molt this year and after two months his neck feathers still look rough. Is this normal? I know I help groom the other birds necks but I can't with him.

Thanks.

What a sweetie, typical Goffins behavior! He loves chips for the same reason we do, the trifecta of fat, salt, and a hint of sugar. Might try some healthier chips or crackers but take them out of the same container. Another strategy is to show him a small piece of the chip, give him something healthy, and follow up with said piece of chip.

Funny to see Jasper apparently dunk the chip in water to moisten!

As for the molt, it can last a long while. I'm sitting here with Gabby and he's been molting for about the same time.

This is a specialty cracker loved by many of my birds:

Hey, I'm all for bribery if that's what it takes. I have one I can't really touch, too, but she'll take a treat ever so gently and little by little we are making progress on the touching, always on HER terms, not mine. A chip once in a while won't hurt, but I think Scott's suggestion is worth a try. Get some crackers and put them in the Pringles can, and be sure to eat one and loudly proclaim how good it is where Jasper can see you, THEN try giving him one.

There are lots of vegetables made into chips/crisps available (for humans) - they are all the hype here atm. (Healthfood part of the shop)
I find them almost inedible (though I feel the same way about Pringles btw), but they are healthy and usually have no added salts etc.

You could try those?

What is funny is that this week is the first time we have had Pringles in the house in years, but he wanted them! Usually he begs for tortilla chips. I forgot to mention the other item he begs for is cheese. I've heard both ways on cheese so I give him a single string of shred cheese at a time and he takes that so gentle. When he's that gentle it give me a bit of hope for the future.

Do you ever let him come out of the cage and re-enter on his own terms? I know that is hard, but he is obviously familiar with that space, so even if you do open the door and let him come out, he will probably go back in or be reluctant to come out....


I guess I need to know if/when he leaves the cage before I suggest more. It looks like the door is open, so instead of putting it into the cage, I would gradually work on having him come farther out of the cage to get it (if that is something with which he struggles)



There is hope!!!

Jasper's cage is open the majority of the time. He doesn't come out often. Usually only once a day for a scream session. He will only take food if it's through the cage bars and won't eat from his play top. He's a very oddly neurotic bird but likely has good reason to be that way from the bit we know of his past.

Try inching the chips away from him----it may take months, but I bet he will eventually get used to it and come out. A cage-bound bird is generally a fearful and aggressive one, so you will want to A)Keep building trust, and B) Get him to stretch his comfort zone (AKA, go outside of the cage with ease and increased frequency). You could even consider keeping things SUPER consistent by saying the same words and wearing the same blouse each time you work with him.....same time each day (A.M. he would likely be more hungry). Over-consistence could backfire over time, but get him used to the same phrase, action and immediate reward. Any progress should be rewarded. Did I give you my "forward chaining task analysis" spiel yet?

Agree with Noodles, trying to lure Jasper out of the cage and onto a playpen might be a good start. Progressively move the playpen or stand away over time.

I give my flock a small piece of string cheese weekly. Definitely one of their favorite treats!

I love your patience and dedication. I am so happy to see Jasper coming along.

Try offering plain mashed potatoes. If he likes chips, he'd probably like those. I feed Rocky mashed potatoes off a fork like he's a baby (he thinks he is, LOL). It's good for bonding.

Ever try cooked oatmeal? All except for one of mine *love* it served safely warm, nothing added.