Stick Training

cwekeybb2350

Banned
Banned
Nov 17, 2010
34
0
Stick Training is really important to do if you want to have some control over your parrot... this can be on any parrot not just Pionus. You may not think that your parrot needs stick training because you feel you have full control or your parrot cooroperates with you all the time. There does come a time when you may not be able to handle your parrot now and then. Excitable parrots are very unpredictable and you do not want to get bitten when they are like that.
What we mean by stick training is a parrot who is use to being on a stick... which is merely a shorter length hand held perch... usually wood which can be from a branch of a tree or doweling type that is maybe 12" to 18" in length and depending upon the size of your bird for the diameter you would use. Use the same diameter as you would for their perches inside the cage. Some people also like what is called a "T Perch" as it is a perch that looks the the shape of a "T".
If your bird is afriad of a stick perch then you will need to slowly get him use to it. Parrots who are often use to using one but then has not been on one for a while may become afraid of it again... so you do have to use them frequently to keep your bird use to one.
How do you train a bird to step up on a stick? Generally like you would your hand, you do a repetitive behaviour practicing over and over while saying "step up" as you have the stick in front of the bird's chest near the feet nudging him to step up on it.
Perhaps some one can do a small 1 minute to 2 minute video on this... Joseph? For showing how to get a parrot to step up onto a stick and showing the commands for this.
Please give your input on this with your experiences.
 

nurseTina74

New member
Dec 20, 2010
8
0
Hannibal NY
Parrots
6 cockatiels
1 greater gardine
1 blue crown conure
1 quaker and
1 african grey congo
Out of my 10 bird babies I have all my larger birds stick trained and you are right they can at times be very fickle at times and with having many rescue birds it saves my hands from not so nice birds. I have trained all and highly recommend it.
 

Von1983

Banned
Banned
Sep 3, 2010
1,219
Media
1
2
I am a fan of stick training in the beginning but I will be honest and say I don't see the purpose once biting has abated and they are comfortable on your hand.

That's just what I have found with experience!
 

patterson

New member
Nov 3, 2010
223
0
belfast, northern ireland
Parrots
vincent-b/g macaw archie-alexandrine and coming in june greenwing macaw and millitary macaw this year too fingers crossed
started training vincent today with stick training hes picking it up very well. hes only 5 half to 6 months old
 

wildheart

Banned
Banned
Mar 16, 2010
1,374
2
South Africa
My girls kitchen stand is a t-shape perch with dish holders on both ends. She loves this perch and I use it all over the house and outside and therefore it wasnt necessary for me to teach her to step up on it. She goes through violent stages during the day and I can only pick her up with this perch during these times. The leg of the perch is about a ruler and a half's length.

If you have a bird with a history of abuse then a stick will not prevent any bites, the bird will simply clime up the stick and bite your hand. Even my girls t-perch only gives me seconds to move her before she is down the leg and bites down on my hand.

I am with you Von, I can only think that stick training is good when it is a new bird. Unfortunately I learned the hard way that it does not work for an aggressive bird.
 
Last edited:

Pedro

New member
Dec 15, 2010
1,583
3
Australia
Parrots
2 Budgies, 3 Cockatiels, 6 GCC'S, 2 Crimson Bellie Conures, 9 Sun Conures, 2 Major Mitchells, 12 Eclectus parrots of various ages, 2 BF Amazons, 2 Hahn's Macaw's, 1 Red Tail Black Too
Personally i have never had to resort to stick traning. But i guess it would have it's advantages with an abused or neglected companion that is a bit bitey. The few parrots that i have adopted just needed settling in time before i could handle them.

I had a lady bring her 4 year old male eclectus to me because it had out of the blue started to bite her although she was the second owner. The reason for the rehome he also bit his previous owner. I tried to show this lady how to stick train him but he was absolutely terrified of the stick.

I am not sure if it's a good idea or not to stick train a baby parrot. I really haven't thought about it.
 

wildheart

Banned
Banned
Mar 16, 2010
1,374
2
South Africa
I am not planning on teaching my 9 week old baby with a stick, I dont see the point in it. I really think it is only for a scared new bird and eventually you will have to get past the stick in anyway.
 

Rickyrouster

New member
Mar 5, 2012
2
0
:blue1:I just got a b&g on Friday, I was told he was about 4 and I am the 4rth owner. He is a runner, meaning when you put your hand near him he takes off climbing up his cage,,UNLESS I have a peanut in my hand. Then he will very gently take it from between my fingers or a half closed fist. I have tried coaxing him up onto my arm with a treat in the opposite hand. No luck. So I started using a stick. He is starting to get used to it. Since neither of us know each other that well yet, it seems like a good place to start the trust process.
 

Most Reactions

Top