I might have made a mistake

[obeck]

One thing, you have an ekkie, there will be times when he wants nothing to do with you. Don't let that break your heart. They get in moods.

 

[plumsmum2005]

You guys are awesome

So today I have started with the routine, I let him sit on top of his perch while I changed the messy newspapers and made fresh veggie mix for breakfast. He screamed at the top of his lungs for attention, but I tried to ignore it (hoping my neighbors are not going to come knocking lol). I think he gets super cranky when he's hungry, so not sure if it was attention or food.
He's in his cage now. He sits relatively quietly unless I dare make eye contact, and then it's opera time.

I am going to find balsa in my hometown or online. In the meantime, can I make stuff out of brown paper bags? I have some already and some cardboard and a flax rope.

As for the breeder, I don't know why he said that, but it really freaked me out. He said "I only recommend parrots to retired people, so unless you're willing to work as a full time parrot owner, give him up". Since I'm new to this, it got me really stressed.

Thank you all for your encouragement and boost!

Pretty short sighted point of view and a fair few negatives come to mind to knock the obvious positives into the long grass IMO.

You're doing great btw.

 

[Evalin100]

Hey guys

Thanks!
So I made him a toy from brown paper (simple one) and cardboard. He nibbled it a little, but no real chewing. A friend got me a huge basket of pinecones, so i'll make him some foraging toys out of them after I bake them (I read you need to bake them first to kill bacteria), and tomorrow I'm buying him a small carrier cage so I can take him outside and get some sun baths.

The breeder doesn't sell only to retired people, he just said I should get 2 if I work, otherwise he'll suffer from mental issues (I didn't end up buying from him because two is out of the question at this point). The guy who sold him to me was kind of dubious and he wasn't very nice to the baby bird, and I just had to take him. He kept him in a hamster cage
Then after he sold him to me, he disappeared and refused my calls and texts (so everything I learned was from reading online, because I had no guidance).

 

[itchyfeet]

Chuck some special food treats in the bag and see if that's a little more engaging. These three all forage for their seed, a brown paper bag suddenly equates to winning the lotto

 

[Evalin100]

I know it's a silly question, but how will he know there's food hiding inside?

 

[itchyfeet]

The first time I did it with mine, I made it up in front of them. Sorted

 

[Anansi]

Yup. And you can also create the first hole in the bag and leave one of the treats somewhat exposed.

 

[Brittany741]

Just because someone breeds birds doesn't mean they are an expert or their way is the one right way. Keep doing what you're doing, research and ask. I learn new stuff every day and I've had parrots for a long time!

He is still a baby and he's going to take cues from you. Remember, you're the one determining his schedule and he's going to try what he can to get your attention. Don't reward behavior you want him to stop doing, and attention can be the greatest reward you give.

As for the hunger you mentioned, make sure he's got access to food. I try not to give tons of treats (as in things which should be given in moderation) but rather a new type of fresh food. This can make it seem special and way more interesting.

With you going back to work soon, you may want to consider having blocks of longer and longer times where you not only don't interact, but you also don't constantly check on him. It's hard but a small investment in helping him learn independence.

 

[Evalin100]

Thanks Brittany.
He has food available at all times actually. Just in the morning I throw away whatever's left and bring fresh food. I don't know why, but in the morning he screams at the top of his lungs while I clean the cage/prepare breakfast.

I do my best to completely ignore the screaming. I read and watch Youtube tutorials every day. I make sure to pay attention when he's relaxed and not when he goes nuts.

The only thing I'm worried about, is losing the bond with him, if we're not interacting when I'm home still.

 

[itchyfeet]

Routine will secure that bond more then interaction.
My birds know that whatever happens during the day, after the little ones are down (human kids), all cages are opened for free fly. Our IRN knows that school lunches are his shoulder time, and the 'tiel gets Hollie's (daughters) shoulder for reading after school. The birds know when they have together time, when they have one on one time, and when they have 'self entertaining' time.
IRN's can be notorious for untaming quickly supposedly. I've had a couple of bouts of serious sickness through the house and a couple of trips away. He's fine. But he knows his routine.
You want them to self entertain, for when you get the flu' or something.

Sounds like you're doing really well

 

[Evalin100]

Thanks itchyfeet

That's really reassuring. After all the morning prep and some hand and kisses time, back he went into the cage. Now he's there eating his yum yums. This is my challenge to let him be in there for a few hours and not interact with him. I want to give him kisses so badly I live in a studio apartment, so I can't really disappear from sight, but I sit with my back to him on my computer (sometimes I sneak a peak if he makes noises, and I see him looking at my through the bars...cheeky baby).
I've been going out for an hour long walks to get him also used to me not being in the house (it's not exactly a 9 hr work day, but it's a start I guess).

Friends of mine volunteered to help me out, and they'll get me some eucalyptus and bamboo branches, and I bought raffia and pinecones, and I hope to make him a little forest inside his cage to keep him feeling happy when I'm not there.

 

[Dopey]

Hey guys

Thanks!
So I made him a toy from brown paper (simple one) and cardboard. He nibbled it a little, but no real chewing. A friend got me a huge basket of pinecones, so i'll make him some foraging toys out of them after I bake them (I read you need to bake them first to kill bacteria), and tomorrow I'm buying him a small carrier cage so I can take him outside and get some sun baths.

The breeder doesn't sell only to retired people, he just said I should get 2 if I work, otherwise he'll suffer from mental issues (I didn't end up buying from him because two is out of the question at this point). The guy who sold him to me was kind of dubious and he wasn't very nice to the baby bird, and I just had to take him. He kept him in a hamster cage
Then after he sold him to me, he disappeared and refused my calls and texts (so everything I learned was from reading online, because I had no guidance).

My ekkies don't play for a while and then some days they tear things up. They are the most fickle birds I have.

 

[Dopey]

Thanks Brittany.
He has food available at all times actually. Just in the morning I throw away whatever's left and bring fresh food. I don't know why, but in the morning he screams at the top of his lungs while I clean the cage/prepare breakfast.

I do my best to completely ignore the screaming. I read and watch Youtube tutorials every day. I make sure to pay attention when he's relaxed and not when he goes nuts.

The only thing I'm worried about, is losing the bond with him, if we're not interacting when I'm home still.

At four months he probably would still love a syringe full of WARM baby food in the morning. That could be why he is screaming.

 

[jess.reco]

I know everyone has been saying awesome things, but I want to reassure you as well.

TRUST ME, you haven't made a mistake. I work full time, and I only have the one female eccy. She is in a big cage with branches and usually a foraging toy. I also place her food in a few different holders so she has to move around. She has never plucked at all.

You will do more damage finding your bubba a new home especially if you have now bonded. They're a very smart bird.

You will be fine!!!!

 

[Evalin100]

Thanks Jess.
Trust me, I can't hear that enough. Every person that share their positive experience makes me feel more secure and confident that me and baby bird will make it

I've been working these past few days on getting him to be in his cage more. It's funny how I thought he'd suffer from it, and eventually I'm the one who's having a hard time because I miss being with him

 

[jess.reco]

I know the feeling I HATE leaving her at home on her own! I feel like smuggling her into work!

It will definitely work out

 

[cottontiel]

I know exactly how you feel. My bird is bonded only to me, and he begins to cry and scream if I even begin to leave the room. It is heart-breaking, but he knows I'll be back. I always come back. Your bird will learn the same.

I used to work 7 days a week and it came to the point where I thought re-homing my bird was the best idea for him. Time came where I was about to hand him over, and I started bawling. It was kind of embarrassing, but the other person told me it was clear I wasn't ready to let go. She was right, and I don't think my baby would have been happy with anyone else.

Everyone's advice has been awesome. I really wish you the best with your ekkie, I know that he will settled down over time. You'll be happy you kept him~

 

[AsaiahMom43]

Hope I can share and get the right advice here.

I got an eclectus (he is around 4 months old), and he has been with me for about two-three weeks.
I have been very sick, so I was home with him and we bonded alot. The problem now is that I have to get back to work, and he really does not like being inside his cage. he wants to be with me all the time.
I feel out of my element, this is my first parrot and I feel like I am doing him wrong and should look for a better home, that can spend more time with him.
I heard about parrots feather plucking etc, and I don't want to get to that point.
I only had dogs till now, so I thought I could handle it, but it seems those are two different "pack animals".
What should I do? give him up now, before he gets too attached to me, or wait till I go back to work and hope he'll adjust to my lifestyle?

I feel like crap. I was sure I'd be a good home, but maybe it's just too much for one person who works full time.

Heallo, in short, no dont re home him. I had the same thing happen. I have a wonderful bird, Azaiah. He was the same age. What I did was create a very strict routine. I always got him out of his cage way before I left for work, talked to him while I made his breakfast. Let him sit on a perch with me in my bathroom while I put my makeup on. Which he thought was hysterical. Then I would tell him momma's going bye bye, gotta go to work. I actualy made it into a song. They like that. Anyway, I would move his cage where he could watch cartoons. Which he also loved because of the color and the sounds. Especially the little kids voices. Make sure he has a lot of toys in his cage, at different levels. And AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME, go right to him with a treat in hand, get him out and tell him how much you missed him. After a bit he will get used to the new routine. Also, I know most people do not have land lines. However I do. So and dont judge me... I put the answereing machine by his cage. I would call home, and he could here me talk to him. And with the answering machine. I could call, and listen to the sounds in the room. So I could tell if he was active or not. I mean there are endless possibilities. Now with this in mind. I have only had my eclectus full time since January. And he is doing fantastic. With all this being said, I do however work out of my home a lot. So what the routine is, I tell him momm'as home today and I made my home days the same days every week. And what became his routine was based on what I told him in the mornings. After awhile, you could tell he understood.

Now, the first 3 days I went back to work... HE WAS MADE So, i did what ANY respectibale bird person would do... I BRIBED HIM WITH TREATS HIS FAVORITE lolol. So I would not give up on the little guy. Becaue these birds are so loving and have so much to offer.

 

[Brittany741]

I second giving warm food first thing. 105F for temperature. You can even purée some of your mash and warm that up. He sounds hungry.