My IRN would not eat inside his cage

[Gokha]

Hello everyone!
I own a 3 month old IRN baby and I have to admit I spoiled him a lot. I got him right before the Corona thing started, so I was able to spend a lot of time with hime, maybe too much. He ended up eating and being weaned outside of the cage and usually only goes to his cage to sleep (he doesn’t want to do so though).
So now I am facing this issue that he would not recognize the same food and water bowls when they’re inside the cage, he only eats when he’s out and those bowls are on the table.
I understand that it was my mistake since the beginning. But now I have to go to work for half a day and when I come back, his crop is still empty and no signs of him touching the food inside the cage. He waits for me and only eats when I come back and put the bowls on the dinner table.
How can I train/teach and show him that he should eat inside his cage when I’m not home?
I’m worried for his long term health and because of this issue i’m binded to go straight home after work without being able to run some errands.
I’d be very grateful to receive any advice.

 

[Gokha]

Also, I should mention that whenever I’m at home and it’s not dark, he wouldn’t stay still in his cage and would not play with his toys. He just climbs around the cage and hand on the bars. I tried making him pay attention to the food or give him some treat when he’s inside, but all he wants to do during that moment is to get out of the cage, so I can’t freely open the cage door and try feeding or playing with him while he’s there.

 

[Flboy]

Hello and welcome! If you have a play stand , put that on the table with the food, then move the food to the stand! Work on putting the stand in different areas, and if you have a flat top cage, move it there! Also, for now, cage=treats! First AM, treats through the bars, same when you come back home! Idea! Hang an empty bowl in the cage and use that for ‘special’ food and drop treats in it!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and your IRN! Spending precious time together during weaning was a gift for both of you. Transitioning to more cage time while you are at work (for his safety) will take work but worth the effort. Learning the cage is a place of refuge, safety, and especially food is made easier with positive reinforcement. Give him special treats immediately after entering the cage, ensure there are a variety of toys to play with. Parrots are extremely visual, if you have a nearby TV it may keep him occupied in your absence.