Balance issues

[HarleY 0647]

I applaud your efforts.
I (think) a part of the problem is in Blues lack of strength. Try and calm him by trying to just be one on one. . . put him on your lap and sit down with him, start by just talking, singing ;whatever: It may take a few times or time, but you will find him calming down. Then keep that in a stretch of time of your choosing, and when its not an episode/problem FOR HIM go the next stage use your finger lightly (very lightly) to stroke him, How he reacts the first time is how you form timing to go to the next stage . . caressing . . . just lightly stroking him; and you will notice how he responds, And when YOU feel comfortable with picking up each wing separately . . . just slightly to start with, and as it goes along improve the stroking, You are exercising muscles in your bird that havent been used for so long . . . and it will take time, not days, not weeks,or even years . . . just bird time,
Cage bound is what Blue is going thru . . . wouldn"t you if you were treated in the same way and conditions?It is recognised as an effort in itself to overcome this.
stick to the gentle exercising, then use what he likes to start getting him out, on his own, from his prison. Lets say he really likes Pine nuts, use them outside his cage, as enducement. It takes time but usually at some point in time he will start stealing out to get the goodies. Need I explain more on this point
You will experience ups and downs . . . sometimes one step, forward, then two steps back. Please make sure that your time with Blue is only Blue and you. not sharing the phone, mobile tv or otherwise . . just you and Blue.
I do the same for my flock, each one, over a given period, get a one on one. And each one have their own special way of presenting themselves and enjoying the time together I touch them, I caress them inorder to see the health and signs of any oncoming problems

 

[Guest41995]

I applaud your efforts.
I (think) a part of the problem is in Blues lack of strength. Try and calm him by trying to just be one on one. . . put him on your lap and sit down with him, start by just talking, singing ;whatever: It may take a few times or time, but you will find him calming down. Then keep that in a stretch of time of your choosing, and when its not an episode/problem FOR HIM go the next stage use your finger lightly (very lightly) to stroke him, How he reacts the first time is how you form timing to go to the next stage . . caressing . . . just lightly stroking him; and you will notice how he responds, And when YOU feel comfortable with picking up each wing separately . . . just slightly to start with, and as it goes along improve the stroking, You are exercising muscles in your bird that havent been used for so long . . . and it will take time, not days, not weeks,or even years . . . just bird time,
Cage bound is what Blue is going thru . . . wouldn"t you if you were treated in the same way and conditions?It is recognised as an effort in itself to overcome this.
stick to the gentle exercising, then use what he likes to start getting him out, on his own, from his prison. Lets say he really likes Pine nuts, use them outside his cage, as enducement. It takes time but usually at some point in time he will start stealing out to get the goodies. Need I explain more on this point
You will experience ups and downs . . . sometimes one step, forward, then two steps back. Please make sure that your time with Blue is only Blue and you. not sharing the phone, mobile tv or otherwise . . just you and Blue.
I do the same for my flock, each one, over a given period, get a one on one. And each one have their own special way of presenting themselves and enjoying the time together I touch them, I caress them inorder to see the health and signs of any oncoming problems

I can touch him. I crunch of his pin feathers, and do head scratches. I can transfer him on my arms. He knows certain tricks. He is beyond nasty to my husband. We’ve been working on this. I can take him out some days for 20-30 minutes. He’ll become over stimulated, and I’ll either transfer him to his cage, or help him down to go to his cage. Other times he’ll come out for an hour or so. Always on his place stand. Because of his broken wing he has some mobility issues with that as well. It’s just a bunch of things stacked from what I gathered from vets. He’s really scared of a lot of things and in my opinion it’s expressed through anger (big wings, eye pinning, and raised feathers). Vacuuming around him the first year I had him was challenging. I don’t have a choice where his cage is needs to be vacuumed daily. He’s not as dusty as a cockatoo but he isn’t dust free. It’s been a learning experience for me.

 

[HarleY 0647]

Wonderful to hear, and a cheer that you share.
Keep up the effort in the direction you are working, Blue needs time to come right, however long that might take. I might hesitate to say Blue is forming a relationship, not bonding; but that WILL come with persiverance.
You have also missed the clue with the vacumming - somewhere, sometime in his history someone used a long straight object and beat him. THEY DON'T FORGET. You need to do the vacumming in a better way which doesnt include Blue's presence.
Scared of a lot of things means everything you are trying, or doing, or have done, is NEW, or has been, to him, and he doesn't trust you enough to go along with it, although he is showing commendable improvement, he is not there yet!
Hence, the one on one, gentle talking, touching and caressing . . . with no expectations thereof.
If you can do that SINCERELY he will cotton onto where you are coming from, and where you want to be with him. He WILL respond, in his own way, which you will feel and know.
I think all members in this forum will agree that you are reaching out, beyond what you know, and experience, with your bird, and I am sure what and how we can help is the reward of being a bird lover with an open mind. After all -the advice is free, it means nothing to read, but it means all when it can improve the relationship you have with your bird/s

 

[HarleY 0647]

sorry - yesterday i (thought)I sent a lengthy response. Obviously its gone lulu land- and I hope they have a bird with similar problem, as yours!!!
I will try to recall and recap basically what I said, or was trying to say! kme3388 - you are on the right direction, and in some ways you haven't read the "Road signs" - - Blue's actions or responsed are SOLELY what he has learnt or endured. Vacumming in, or near him, Definitely reminds him of an incidence somewhere in his history, where someone brandished a long item (broom, stick) and beat him. MACAWS DO NOT FORGET - NOR DO THEY FORGIVE. Its only by tedious repetition of an action (kindness) that they put slowly the rememberance behind them... we are talking 10+ years, at least, if the bird was under 5, and more if the incidence was reinforced, by repetition!
Also I suggested you consider a little differently how you are daily interacting with him. ONE on ONE is the key; no interference with ANYTHING else. If that means somewhere else, where there is no interfereance.
I am of the opinion, from your various posts, that you and your husband, or vice versa, do both share what you want from Blue. Now is the time to reflect. Are you both in perfect pitch??? If blue senses a difference, in tone, pitch or anxiousity coming you will never achieve what you both set out to do.
I dont think you should expect movements from him, when he is showing signs of cage-bound. Wouldn't you if you were treated the same way. any improvement may, or will, come by devious treatment. If he likes, lets say pine nuts - start slowly moving them away, out of the cage, 0-5mms every so and so,; then stop, and keep it there - it might mean more work cleaning up something more, somewhere else - but its worth the effort.
I am of the belief that there is a key somewhere to every problem. Perserverance/ intelligence/input/ and diligence is what finds the key works. In Blues case work the most on the BOND - same language; same love, same care . . . and you will get results. Many birds have come back from the most hourendous histories, and injuries. Look amongst us humans and see some of the disabled. Those with the will do come back and forfil a satisfactory life

 

[HarleY 0647]

If the issues Blue has are not getting worse, nor getting better; you and your bird are in a learning curve. Repetition of action coming from you can only cement itself in Blues mind. give him time, be patient and if you need to pull out your hair on occasion, from frustration, make sure Blues not around.
I learnt the hard way - TIME . sometimes I prayed for the next day, to get the opportunity only to try once again!!!