Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the cage

Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the cage

Hey guys ! Hope all is well Before I start, I would like to say thanks to everyone who help me out with my new B&G especially being a newbie. So regarding the problem. I usually let him out for about 2-3 hours. When I let him out, he goes straight to the top and hangs out. He lets me scratch his beak,rub his belly and neck, and clean his feathers, no "Stepping Up" or other activities. I haven't bought a Play Stand, I'm looking around. So when I'm ready to put him back into the cage, he either climbs to the back of the cage where I can't reach him or when I try to grab him from underneath, he locks onto the cage. The first night, I tricked him with the syringe, because he thought I was feeding him,second night, it didn't work and I tried a small perch, he grabbed on, and put him in the cage. The third night, the perch didn't work, so I called Marc from Parrots of the World in LI,NY and he said to cover him in a towel and that didn't work,because he still managed to get away from me. Last night I tried for an hour, and I needed help from my brother, we tricked him with the towel,syringe and perch all together and it barely work. So I'm not sure what to do tonight ? He sure is being a pain in the butt
Any ideas guys -? Thanks !

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

The good news is it sounds like he learns quickly!

The bad news is you need to teach.

He's learned that the syringe lure leads to getting locked up after only one trial, and the same for the perch trick. You just need to change the contingencies to positive outcomes and he should learn equally quickly.

Is he only eating from the syringe or does he take solid treats? Pardon my ignorance on this aspect - I can help with behavior, but I've never raised a baby B&G.

If he can take treats find one that he likes, lure him in the cage with it much like you did with the syringe, then close the cage praise him, and immediately re-open the cage and let him come out.

You should repeat this many times making sure he gets lots of praise and treats for going in the cage but he doesn't get 'locked in' except for the last time. If 9/10 times that he follows the 'lure' it's all a good outcome while only 1 is not so good, he should be willing to do this again the next night.

If he doesn't take treats yet ... I'd have to figure something out there, let me know if that's the case.

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

Hi, your baby should at this age be taking food from your hand. You need to work on some positive reinforcement for wanted behavior. Like Auggie's Dad said, he has now learned that when you want to interact with him it means back in to the cage. Therefor he doesn't want to interact. I don't know the hitory of how you came about this baby, but it sounds like he really needs some socialization. Macaws are very interactive birds, especially babies. He should be stepping up by now and enjoying it. I would not allow him to go right up to the top of his cage. Take him out and sit on a couch or floor and cuddle him. Use toys, treats and praise to keep his attention. In time he will understand that interaction with you can be fun. Please do not towel such a young baby. This is going to cause him to become agressive toward any association with you. He is so young and it will be awhile before he is weaned. You have the greatest chance to build this relationship with him. Remember when ever he reacts in a positive way, such as stepping up, you need to praise and gve him a treat. You need to act on this behavioral training now or it could backfire on you.

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

hi i have a military macaw a little smaller than the b&g i got him when he was 10 he already knew how to step up but he wouldnt until he knew he could trust me. i have found that if you only get him out for a couple hours hes just at that point starting to enjoy getting out so if at all get him out a few times daily but you have to be persistent with the stepping up this will help you in the long run. the towel idea is a very bad idea i can make him aggressive and being bitten by a macaw is no fun. to help with the stepping up when you open the cage dont let him get out on his own put your arm in next to his favorite spot in the cage.hope this helps congrats on the macaw you will have the greatest time with him

good luck
militarymax

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

Keep working on the step up. I would also be looking harder for a play stand. How high is your cage? As he hangs out on the top is he above your head? Try and keep him at heart level. He needs a safe place to play, other than his cage, and learn what a wonderful parent you are and what a wonderful dispenser of fun and interesting activities. They as sooo cute and cuddly when they want to be!! good luck!

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

Auggie ! How are you bud ? Yea, Elvis definitely learned quickly. He doesn't climb to the top as he use to. When I get home in the evening, I let him out, hand feed him with the syringe and then he usually climbs on top of my living room table and hangout and let me cuddle with him. So I guess that's a plus.
He doesn't step up yet, but when I put my hand under his belly, he usually climbs up. During the day, he does munch of some seeds and treats. What are some good treats for him -? I'm trying to get him in the cage and then out with a treat, but its not working yet. I haven't found a treat that he likes yet. Maybe some fruits -?
Hi Grey ! So he should be taking food from my hands -? What kind of treats do you recommend -? He takes the syringe with no problem when I hand feed him. He also takes seeds and pellets from my hand. I've been cuddling with him and interacting with him for almost a week now. First he was shy and would go straight to the top of the cage, but now he climbs on my shoulder and hangs out. After about two hours or more, I put him back into the cage with my hands. But he usually stays on the bottom of the cage until I go to bed. When I do put him back into the cage, he squawks a lot, because he wants to come out back. Is that normal -? I do praise him a lot, by rubbing his neck, his beak and feathers, he loves it ! I just need to work on the treats.
Hello Militarymax ! Thanks man. He is letting me get closer and closer to him as the days go by. I know the towel is a big NO NO. I will never try it again.
Doodadz, how are you -? Its really hard finding a play gym, I think I'll start another thread, so I can get some more help The cage is 6 ft high, its higher than me. I would rather have him at my height, so I can keep an eye on him. I can't wait to get home every evening to meet him

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

Sounds like he is doing better. I would try pinenuts or almonds. Most birds love them. Also nutriberries are a favorite. If you put him back and he squawks, ignore him. As soon as there a few seconds of quiet or he plays with a toy, praise him and give him a treat. In time he will learn what is acceptable behavior.

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

Thanks, I guess I'll pick em up at the grocery store. Oh,so when he stops squawking,give him a treat, NICE ! He's really smart, to stay in the bottom, so I can let him out again
So I have to make him learn whats acceptable behavior, so is that part of a daily training remedy -?

Re: Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into the c

My 1 year old military macaw has started not letting me put him up. I wear protective sleeves so he can't hurt me. Tonight it got ugly getting him on my arm to go to the cage. I withheld his food for the cage only today. I tried showing him the bowl then moving him. It didn't work. How long will it take for me to get him back to stepping up to go to cage? I'm so discouraged that he wants to bite to keep from going into cage.

Problem with my 3 month old Blue & Gold Macaw. Doesn't want to go back into t...

Ticjstar1 said:

My 1 year old military macaw has started not letting me put him up. I wear protective sleeves so he can't hurt me. Tonight it got ugly getting him on my arm to go to the cage. I withheld his food for the cage only today. I tried showing him the bowl then moving him. It didn't work. How long will it take for me to get him back to stepping up to go to cage? I'm so discouraged that he wants to bite to keep from going into cage.

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Please start your own thread describing the issues you're having; this thread is 4 years old and the OP and responders haven't been on in quite some time.....

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