How to make your GCC take a bath or shower

[Ollie_Ash]

Hi all,

I have noticed that my GCC Ollie, is not taking any baths now. She is about 3months old.

I always keep a container filled with water, but she is just not interested. Given that she hasn't taken a bath for a week, maybe more. I noticed, she is preening alot.

Any ideas will help.

Cheers,
Ash

 

[SilverSage]

Give her the clean water, run the vacuum right away in the same room. I am not kidding! ALL of my GCCs and IRNs dunk themselves while I vacuum.

 

[Psittaciformes]

I think it's because it mimics a thunderstorm, right?
But yeah, definitely try that, also you can try to just slowly introduce Ollie to it. Get a bowl of water, put some food or toys in there, splash around with your fingers. That's how I got Kiwiberry to become interested in baths

 

[SilverSage]

Yes I have been told it is beacause the sound and vibration remind them of storms, all I know is they make a MESS when I vacuum lol.

 

[JellyBean]

I have the same problem with JellyBean - am definitely going to try the vacuum!!

 

[Ollie_Ash]

Thank you, guys!

Definitely trying the vacuum theory out today.

 

[kimbell]

whenever I first got Pico I just took him in the shower with me and he loved it right away!!! although I'm sure that wouldn't be the easiest solution for a bird who's not seeming too fond of water lol. I'd consider busting out a spray bottle and seeing how she takes to that!

 

[Ollie_Ash]

So friends, I tried the vacuum trick today and unfortunately it did not work. Also, before going away for work, I left a small container of water with a toy in it. When i came back, i did not see any water spillage, so i am assuming she didn't took a bath. She is preening almost constantly now.

I tired the water spray thing, but she does not like it. She runs away from it. I do not want her to get scared of water or break our relationship. If i have keep spraying her.

 

[plumsmum2005]

So friends, I tried the vacuum trick today and unfortunately it did not work. Also, before going away for work, I left a small container of water with a toy in it. When i came back, i did not see any water spillage, so i am assuming she didn't took a bath. She is preening almost constantly now.

I tired the water spray thing, but she does not like it. She runs away from it. I do not want her to get scared of water or break our relationship. If i have keep spraying her.

Try loads of different combinations ie take her to a bowl of water and splish slosh in it - play time? Shower perch with you? Try cold and warm water. Try the spray from different angles, try spraying from below the bird, a fine mist up - imitates fine rain . Put some wet leaves/bird friendly foliage attached to the side of the cage for a leaf bath. I have a parrot not keen on bathing but he does like trying to fight the hairdryer after so will put up with a little bit now. Before that took him in shower + me and not keen full stop but the water from below was better than from above.

 

[Ollie_Ash]

Quick Update!

I noticed Ollie taking a quick bath today. He seems to have enjoyed! Hopefully he will get into a habit slowly.

THANK YOU ALL for you support!!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi that's good news - has he taken to the bath in his cage after all?

 

[Ollie_Ash]

Hi that's good news - has he taken to the bath in his cage after all?

Yes. I have 2 bath bowls in the cage, a transparent one at the bottom and a red one hanging on the side, which is higher. I saw him take a quick splash at the red one.

Now I have removed the bottom one and floated some sunflower seeds on the red one, so that she gets interested.

 

[Ann333]

Pumpkin loves the sink. Apparently running water is his prefference. I also take him into the shower with me. He preens himself in the steam.

 

[Ollie_Ash]

Pumpkin loves the sink. Apparently running water is his prefference. I also take him into the shower with me. He preens himself in the steam.

I tired the sink and also took Ollie to shower with me, but she did not seem interested. For now, I will let her have her own bath. Slowly I will try to introduce other methods of cleaning.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I don't vaccuum anymore when Skittles is out. I wait til after I put him to bed. Otherwise he does this thing where he throws his food and other discarded things onto the floor. He does it deliberately and it ticks me off! lol

 

[plumsmum2005]

I don't vaccuum anymore when Skittles is out. I wait til after I put him to bed. Otherwise he does this thing where he throws his food and other discarded things onto the floor. He does it deliberately and it ticks me off! lol

Please get someone to video this, sounds absolutely ace. Go on you know you wanna ...... pleeeease

 

[mh434]

ALL of my flock head for their bathing dishes when the vacuum's running. I have no idea why! As far as spraying is concerned, we do this frequently BUT we always fill the spray bottle with the hottest water we can get out of the tap. By the time it gets to the bird, it's cooled to luke warm. Otherwise, it can be pretty chilly, and I for one am no fan of cold rain!

 

[Ollie_Ash]

I don't vaccuum anymore when Skittles is out. I wait til after I put him to bed. Otherwise he does this thing where he throws his food and other discarded things onto the floor. He does it deliberately and it ticks me off! lol

Please get someone to video this, sounds absolutely ace. Go on you know you wanna ...... pleeeease

I Agree...this video would be hilarious!!

 

[JellyBean]

JellyBean will only take a bath by himself if the sun is shining!!! I live in Ireland... so that is not a regular occurrence lol... Therefore got him a shower perch and he has showers with me... he loves it!!!! Attached is a pic... note the shampoo!!! Hahaha....