Things to do outside of the cage?

Boki · Feb 14, 2019

OK, I am on my 2nd month with my new adorable housemate. I think we have made great strides from a terrible start. She steps up for me but does sort of need to see a treat is waiting for her. She enjoys eating breakfast and lunch with me and clearly tells me that she will eat what I eat. She is adjusting to the brand new sleeping cage and evidence tells me she is good with it.

Now in the beginning she was more than content chilling on my shoulder as I worked on the computer. But then every once is a while, she nips at my skin. Not a bite, just a very tiny nip. Is there any hope that will stop?

Now she does not appear content to hang out on my shoulder and wants to explore. Her wings are clipped but they must either growing back in or she is getting more confident (probably both) because she flutters off the top of the cage or my shoulder to the floor fairly quickly.

I guess I never thought about it but I guess I need to figure out a way for her to play outside of the cage? Or should I just put her back in there with her toys when she is not interesting in chilling with me? I really don't want her to wander all over the floor. Heck, I thought the birds were supposed to abhor the floor. No, my Captain Cook wants to explore new lands and new cultures. I fear floor exploration is not something I want to encourage.

Any suggestions for keeping her safely entertained out of the cage. Some days she is OK chilling on my shoulder but less and less these days. Are there games we can play? I tried playing ball with her but she is uninterested. She is still too short for dunking the basketball as so am I.

noodles123 · Feb 14, 2019

Glad things are going well

You will want to get her comfortable chilling on and in cage with you in the next room etc....You know, like if you have to quickly do something or if you need to read at the computer. I am not saying to leave her unattended for long stretches, but if you have a semi-bird-proof setting, it is nice to allow them that freedom without having to put them up every time.
Target training is a good start...
Teaching your baby independent play is really important. Everything takes a long time...Try experimenting with different textures/materials and see what she prefers. Model playing with toys and show interest in them in front of her as well. Keep trying and pair play/bravery with favorite treats. You definitely don't want a bird glued to your shoulder at all times and as she gets older, she can't just have that expectation.

You could try some sort of playpen---they sell that thick, clear, bird-safe plastic for cages (can't think of it right now)...But easier than that would be training her to stay on her cage when she is out unless she is called or picked up.

Jen5200 · Feb 14, 2019

I don’t like mine on the floor either - I have a cat and now a puppy (which are always separated, but I don’t want the birds to get comfortable on the floor, just in case). Do you have a play stand for her? Mine will stay on there for awhile - I can hang a bunch of toys on it, has a couple of bowls, etc. They seem to enjoy it. I haven’t ever been able to get mine to play on the ‘playtop’ on top of Stanley’s cage (there’s not really anywhere to put toys and interesting things- it’s just a perch and a couple of bowls). I have tall perches around the house, and bigger swing toys hanging from the ceiling. It seems to keep them amused when they don’t want to be shoulder birds. I’m pondering getting a big tree stand that could be fun as well.

YSGC · Feb 14, 2019

I second the idea of perches and playgrounds scattered around the house at places where humans hang out.

Boredom is bad for birds.
New and rotating toys are essential but also something as simple as moving to a different room can break the monotony.

clark_conure · Feb 15, 2019

I live alone, so for me it's no big deal for them to be on the floor, because that usually means I'm also on the floor, with them.

Now if I have to get up or something I am ALWAYS cognizant of where each of them are at all times. And I expect they will have moved to follow me.

Other than that things to do....get a wireframe ball like these... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XH1FNWR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Clark loves playing with them and zod is getting into it.

I also have ladders for them to climb up to the desk so they can easily get back high again.

I also recommend https://www.amazon.com/Greencheek-S...animal+conure&qid=1550236261&s=gateway&sr=8-8

Additionally the digibird was/is still fun to play with. https://www.amazon.com/DigiBirds-Bi...rds=digibird&qid=1550236439&s=gateway&sr=8-12

I also have a little playground in attached pic. And an out of cage feed and drink area they can visit. Also I recommend the abacus, they both LOVE that thing.

Enjoy.

Jottlebot · Feb 16, 2019

I remember when I realised exactly what was involved in "out of cage time". I thought I understood, I thought I was prepared until I had a parrot that looked to me for entertainment and enrichment! And I have an Alexandrine so they're pretty independent!

I think maybe you're making the situation tougher for yourself. If her wings are clipped where else is she going to go to explore other than the floor!? If you had perches she could fly to she might enjoy doing that. A table top option can be climbed onto so that might help, but when she wants to be away from you being brave, the floor is probably her only option at the moment.

As well as fun toys to chew, fight with and make a noise with foraging toys could tempt her to play away from you and more where you want her.

MayteAndJolijn · Feb 21, 2019

I made a cheap jungle gym for my GCC out of some wood and two branches (bird safe tree species). It took me 30 mimutes, but Fish loves it! The wireframe balls are especially a big hit, we have several toys of different sizes with bells inside. He carries the smallest balls up a branch and waves it around all happy, hitting himself in the face with it...it's hilarious

also, he loves it when we give him a piece of paper to chew apart. And there are some wooden/wicker treat balls on the market, the treats are crappy but breaking the ball is rewarding enough without the sugar coated sunflower seeds inside!

john8terry · Feb 22, 2019

Boki said:
OK, I am on my 2nd month with my new adorable housemate. I think we have made great strides from a terrible start. She steps up for me but does sort of need to see a treat is waiting for her. She enjoys eating breakfast and lunch with me and clearly tells me that she will eat what I eat. She is adjusting to the brand new sleeping cage and evidence tells me she is good with it.

Now in the beginning she was more than content chilling on my shoulder as I worked on the computer. But then every once is a while, she nips at my skin. Not a bite, just a very tiny nip. Is there any hope that will stop?

Now she does not appear content to hang out on my shoulder and wants to explore. Her wings are clipped but they must either growing back in or she is getting more confident (probably both) because she flutters off the top of the cage or my shoulder to the floor fairly quickly.

I guess I never thought about it but I guess I need to figure out a way for her to play outside of the cage? Or should I just put her back in there with her toys when she is not interesting in chilling with me? I really don't want her to wander all over the floor. Heck, I thought the birds were supposed to abhor the floor. No, my Captain Cook wants to explore new lands and new cultures. I fear floor exploration is not something I want to encourage.

Any suggestions for keeping her safely entertained out of the cage. Some days she is OK chilling on my shoulder but less and less these days. Are there games we can play? I tried playing ball with her but she is uninterested. She is still too short for dunking the basketball as so am I.

Consuela, my QP, is out of her cage all day, going in for water and to go to sleep. She came clipped. A combination of boxes and ladders make it possible for her to climb up and down from cage to floor and onto my desk which is beside her cage. Next to my bed are rolled up blankets. She waddles into my bedroom and up the blankets onto my bed (Awww!). That means skirches and talking lessons time. She comes by herself!
When I am at my desk, she parks herself on my shoulder. Otherwise she micromanages what I am doing.
Toys? The whole apartment is one big toy. The only place that is off-limits is the kitchen. We share meals. I have adjusted my diet so . . . we share meals (No birdy-toxic foods, lots of leafy green veggies.)
I live alone and am retired; Consuela is my companion animal. Are we bonded? Like white on rice, except it is brown on rice

here. I read children's books to her and make a big deal about the illustrations. Entertain your bird and your bird will entertain you.
Don't forget to have fun!

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

Things to do outside of the cage?

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