It happens to everyone from time to time...

Birdman666 · Jun 15, 2015

So, Tusk and Lila have both suddenly either lost their minds, or discovered the joy of chewing on wood trim...

And since they decided to chew up the wood trim, they have lost their "out" privileges when I am not home to supervise them.

Tusk has not been subtle in his displeasure at the new restrictions on his unfettered freedom. In fact, when I go to put him back, he now takes the opportunity to do the latch on hard and draw blood routine...

This has been going on for about a week now, so we are back to basics. He's met Mr. Towel twice, and is back to doing basic step up/go down/no bite work. It isn't especially effective in his case, because he already KNOWS he isn't allowed to bite, he is just "communicating" his dis-satisfaction with the new cage arrangements, rather forcefully.

And it's only when I put him down in his cage. Otherwise he's the same sweet, stubborn bird he's always been, right down to giving me kisses on the beak. Pick me up, we're fine. Put me back = I bite you... It's quite deliberate. HE is attempting behavior mods with me now...

So, nobody feels bad, we all go through stuff like this. I've got a half dozen pin holes in my thumb right now. And he's going back on a towel, so it doesn't hurt anymore...

I'm not going to butt heads with him.

GreatBlue320 · Jun 15, 2015

Thanks so much for this post!

I'm just the kind of person that needs to be reminded that there WILL be setbacks/changes in a bird's behavior over its lifetime and that I shouldn't feel like I've failed in some way when these changes occur.

Weezerj · Jun 15, 2015

I think about 623 members of this site let out a collective sigh of relief that they aren't the only ones that have setbacks....

Christinenc2000 · Jun 15, 2015

I feel bad for everyone involved. I was leaving BB out a night on weekends . He would roost on the top of his cage. I stopped it because one reason > I sleep late on Sat and Sun and worried he would come down and the dogs are loose also I was having trouble getting him in the cage on a work night. It must be so hard for your birds. I know we had hurt feelings here for a few days.

I know they did wrong but can't imagine how hard it is for them to be confined again.

Kiwibird · Jun 15, 2015

That's a shame. But I agree with Weezerj, if even YOU, Birdman the bird whisperer, have a setback, then I guess the 'rest of us' shouldn't be so harsh on ourselves when we do too.

Have you 'shown' them what they did wrong so they understand? Like before you put them up, show them the chewed wood so they make the association. You seem to have intelligent birds. That's what I do with Kiwi when he's done wrong, he usually 'gets' it.

SilverSage · Jun 16, 2015

REHOME THEM! You can't afford to let the, wreck your house, CLEARLY they are not happy with you, and need to go to a home where they will be happy. Rehome them for $1900 each to insure they go to someone who loves them. Get a puppy to replace them. Or a cockatoo; cockatoos are so much better...

I'm sorry, I'm obviously being sarcastic and have clearly seen one too many pets being rehomed for stupid reasons today. I'm so glad you are NOT the kind to curl up in a ball and cry while posting your pets on Craigslist when they act out. This post makes me so happy. Not for your wood work, but for your birds. *sigh* imagine if everyone turned to training and communication before dumping and replacing....

thekarens · Jun 16, 2015

When you consider the length that these birds live it's not surprising that they go they through changes and moods. Even the most well trained pet will have bad days, weeks, months.

Sammie will do that exact same thing. Be sweet as pie, but if I try to put her in the cage when she isn't ready she chomps and holds on.

Hopefully they'll come around soon.

Birdman666 · Jun 16, 2015

SilverSage said:
REHOME THEM! You can't afford to let the, wreck your house, CLEARLY they are not happy with you, and need to go to a home where they will be happy. Rehome them for $1900 each to insure they go to someone who loves them. Get a puppy to replace them. Or a cockatoo; cockatoos are so much better...

I'm sorry, I'm obviously being sarcastic and have clearly seen one too many pets being rehomed for stupid reasons today. I'm so glad you are NOT the kind to curl up in a ball and cry while posting your pets on Craigslist when they act out. This post makes me so happy. Not for your wood work, but for your birds. *sigh* imagine if everyone turned to training and communication before dumping and replacing....

Yeah.

I thought about doing a long post about how my bird suddenly hates me, BUT...

Fact of the matter is, this is partly my fault. They've been outside the cage birds for so long that being inside the cage has become somewhat problematic.

Tusk is the only one biting, however. And today, for the first time in about a week is the first time he didn't bite me. I got wise, and started handling him with an ov-glove. He didn't care much for it, and he also immediately figured out that biting me no longer does any good.

So he stopped.

Yeah, they're smart enough to figure it out.

Birdman666 · Jun 16, 2015

Kiwibird said:
Have you 'shown' them what they did wrong so they understand? Like before you put them up, show them the chewed wood so they make the association. You seem to have intelligent birds. That's what I do with Kiwi when he's done wrong, he usually 'gets' it.

They understood it was wrong. Then completely ignored me and went right back to doing it the minute I turned my back...

Hence, unlimited out privileges now revoked.

Birdman666 · Jun 16, 2015

So when I got home tonight, it became obvious why Tusk didn't bite me this morning...

First, he's smart enough to know that biting ppadded fingers wouldn't do any good...

Plan B... Hello, I know how to open cage doors. I'm not sitting in here all day, and if I'm gonna waddle around the room, I need my partner in crime...

Yeah, short of a padlock I'm not winning this battle...

Anansi · Jun 16, 2015

Owning brilliant birds does have its drawbacks. Lol

Hawk · Jun 17, 2015

Birdman666 said:
SilverSage said:

REHOME THEM! You can't afford to let the, wreck your house, CLEARLY they are not happy with you, and need to go to a home where they will be happy. Rehome them for $1900 each to insure they go to someone who loves them. Get a puppy to replace them. Or a cockatoo; cockatoos are so much better...

I'm sorry, I'm obviously being sarcastic and have clearly seen one too many pets being rehomed for stupid reasons today. I'm so glad you are NOT the kind to curl up in a ball and cry while posting your pets on Craigslist when they act out. This post makes me so happy. Not for your wood work, but for your birds. *sigh* imagine if everyone turned to training and communication before dumping and replacing....

Click to expand...

Yeah.

I thought about doing a long post about how my bird suddenly hates me, BUT...

Fact of the matter is, this is partly my fault. They've been outside the cage birds for so long that being inside the cage has become somewhat problematic.

Tusk is the only one biting, however. And today, for the first time in about a week is the first time he didn't bite me. I got wise, and started handling him with an ov-glove. He didn't care much for it, and he also immediately figured out that biting me no longer does any good.

So he stopped.

Yeah, they're smart enough to figure it out.

My birds are also out of the cage birds, apart from My new ones ( Twinki and Tyler, Budgie and Male Ecletus). They have total freedom, and seldom in their cage (even at night) except My grey will go inside on his own at night. My others sleep outside their cage.

I often wondered what the long term effects might be having total freedom like that as Mine sometimes gets those attitudes, Biting rather hard.
Then it's timeout Inside their cage. That's about the only time I put them in their cage.

Oh yeah....they indeed figure that one out.

Scott · Jun 17, 2015

Birdman666 said:
So when I got home tonight, it became obvious why Tusk didn't bite me this morning...

First, he's smart enough to know that biting ppadded fingers wouldn't do any good...

Plan B... Hello, I know how to open cage doors. I'm not sitting in here all day, and if I'm gonna waddle around the room, I need my partner in crime...

Yeah, short of a padlock I'm not winning this battle...

Sounds like you are doing the best any human can do when confronted by a superior life form! Imagine if parrots ruled the earth?

Kiwibird · Jun 17, 2015

Birdman666 said:
Kiwibird said:

Have you 'shown' them what they did wrong so they understand? Like before you put them up, show them the chewed wood so they make the association. You seem to have intelligent birds. That's what I do with Kiwi when he's done wrong, he usually 'gets' it.

Click to expand...

They understood it was wrong. Then completely ignored me and went right back to doing it the minute I turned my back...

Hence, unlimited out privileges now revoked.

Oh:20: What defiance! I bet soon enough they will be working to gain back their 'freedom' by being well behaved birdies.

Weezerj · Jun 17, 2015

My little guy's cage door is never shut, but he spends about 50% of his time on his tree/rope net/play area and 50% in his cage.....must be a comfort thing.

He also climbs into his cage and goes to sleep in his hut every night at 7:30 pm...you could almost set your watch by it.

Birdman666 · Jun 17, 2015

Kiwibird said:
Birdman666 said:

Kiwibird said:

Oh:20: What defiance! I bet soon enough they will be working to gain back their 'freedom' by being well behaved birdies.

Click to expand...

Nah. Thus far it's more like "FORGET YOU... WE DO WHAT WE WANT!"

Tusk thought about biting me this morning, but I caught him before he could and physically stopped him from doing it...

I closed the door and latched it, and he immediately started juggling the handle, so what are the odds I find them out again when I get home?!

Click to expand...

Taw5106 · Jun 17, 2015

LOL!!!! Even the Bird Master receives defiance! I know it's not funny but a the same time it does have a giggle moment. Tusk, what a stinker. After his week in the wild he's brave enough to be defiant. That week in the wild must be history or never happened.

Thanks for the post, going back to basics. Right now Venus spends more time outside her cage than in it. I'm waiting for the defiant moment from her. It may be a while or not. I imagine you'll have your flock in order and reminded within a few days. Thanks again for the post!

Birdman666 · Jun 18, 2015

So, yesterday I protected my hands, and he made no attempt to bite when I put him back in his cage. Okay, problem dealt with, right?!

So, today, he stepped up and gave me kisses, and acted all sweet. So I tried putting him back WITHOUT protecting my hands... and he seized the opportunity to bite the crap out of my thumb again...

We have established that this is definitely a "I won't lash out at him in anger because it won't do any good" situation. And the trigger is going in his cage. That's the only time he even attempts to bite. "I DON'T WANNA!!!"

And a CAG has a beak like a scissors... so, now we're doing the Ov Glove in the mornings. I don't care if you don't like it, I'm tired of you biting my thumb! Little stinker!

Anansi · Jun 18, 2015

The Ov Glove actually works to fend off his bites? We have one at home and Maya likes to take a shot at my wife from time to time, but I'd have thought the material too soft to give much protection when she's determined to bite her.

Birdman666 · Jun 18, 2015

Well, what fends off his bites is taking steps to protect my fingers. If I've got something on my hands, be it a towel or a glove, he doesn't try it, because he's smart enough to know that it won't hurt me.

When he sees BARE fingers...

"AH-HAH! Punish me will you... I'll punish you right back..."

So, that's one of those birdie IQ things.

Like macaws that can't make you jump... stop trying.

Same concept. Different bird.

Incidentally, I dropped his little butt when he latched onto me this morning... left him hanging by his beak from his perch... And I showed him the bleeding wound on my thumb. He knows full well what he did... and it was absolutely intentional.

Don't start none, won't be none...

CAGS are just stubborn.

And, despite this, he's as sweet as ever (sweeter, in fact, cuz he's in birdie manipulation/suck up mode) WHEN I'M NOT LOCKING HIM UP... so, that old myth about imposing discipline destroying trust... ummm... No.

This, right now, is a battle of wills. And I'm just as stubborn as that bird is.

It happens to everyone from time to time...

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