Problems with my baby blue front

[brandi36567]

I hope someone on here can help me. I have lived with birds my entire life ranging when I was a young child from parakeets to a handfed cockatiel to a quaker. When I moved out on my own I purchased an Indian Ringneck, and a Sun Conure. I was so excited that I was ready to take the "plunge" to my big bird! So.... I researched the breeds and finally decided on a handfed blue fronted amazon but I guess I did not research the breeder very well because what I have purchased is a handfed but very unsocialized, timid, baby and now I don't know what to do. She doesn't bite "not hard anyways" but she is terrified of everything especially hands, I have tried everything from taking it really slow which over a month we progressed NONE to catching her and sitting in the shower with her and having her step up on a stick this has worked some well she will step up on the stick but only because she has no choice and only in the shower. I dont care if I cant ever pet her but I would like her to step up so that I can put her on her playgym and she doesn't have to live in the cage. HELP ME PLEASE!!!

 

[Lacey]

Hello Brandi. Welcome to the forum!

How long have you had your baby? In my opinion, things may be going too fast for her and her trust isn't there yet. It takes some time and patience to create a bond with a new member of the family. It is always best to not force her to do anything that she is not comfortable with. Right now she may be using her cage as her "safe haven" if you will, to make her feel safe. She may not be ready or settled in enough to start exploring. I think that first you need to take a couple steps back and assess the situation. I would start out by sitting next to her cage and just talking or singing to her so she can get used to everything and know that you won't hurt her. When she starts coming down by where you are, give her a treat. She needs to figure out where her place is in your life. You will be surprised at how quickly things will come once that bond is made. She doesn't realize that you are trying to love her and give her fun things to do.

Think of it this way... If you take a child to a new place with all new people and leave them there with no one they know, generally they will cry and go and sit by a wall and act as if the world is coming to an end. Then a nice teacher comes and sits by the child and talks kindly. The child starts to feel more at ease and maybe will start talking back.Then after awhile longer she introduces some toys and fun things to do. The child may be hesitant at first, but in no time is up playing and running around like little maniacs!!!

The best advice I got from a great friend is to pretend your bird is a little 3-4 year old as that is what their mind capacity is. If you remind yourself of that from time to time, I promise the process will in a way not seem so difficult I sure hope some of this information helps you!

 

[brandi36567]

Thanks Lacey,

I have had her for about six weeks. I think you are probably right I am expecting way to much to fast. I have never had this problem with a handfed baby and wasn't sure if I left her alone if I was going to have a half grown half wild territorial amazon to deal with! I also have young children so our house is pretty crazy most of the time although she has started lately doing exactly what the other birds when the kids get loud "she gets louder"!! Thanks for your help

 

[lene1949]

Hi Brandi.. Welcome to the forums..

How old is your baby blue front? Sometimes very young bird regress and might need some hand feeding after they go to their new home...

 

[oled]

I think you should take it really slowly. You have hear for only 6 weeks and from what I can read you are moving to fast forward. Before training hear you shold firs get hear comftebel with you near the cage. I think it is a bad idear to catsh her, you are not gaining trust that way.

 

[melinda]

First off as young as she is this is a very important time in her life. You are laying down the foundation for her.

I would stop catching her. I can do all my cleaning with the birds in the cage. I know you hand fed her and she self weaned. But you do not have a strong bond with her. If she is afraid you need to stop and take a min to think was she this way when you brought her home? If she was and has just gotten worst you work will be even harder. If she started doing this more to the end of hand feeding it will not be as bad.


I know you said she was in the middle of everything that goes on in the home. But if it was me i would move her cage to a quieter area so that you can work with her. If you set in a chair next to her cage and you have 3 or 4 things going on in the same room she is going to try to distance her self from you more because she doesn't feel at ease.

I have 2 kids 4 and 7 years old my birds are in my living room. Some days my birds get overloaded with everything going on. T.V. on one kid crashing cars together one pushing a stroller through the house at full speed someone one the phone then add two cats that hate each other fighting in the mix. How would you feel? Makes your head swim lol. Not saying your house is that bad ( mine doesn't get like that often). I can see when my birds are enjoying it or when it is just to much. The T.V. is turned off. kids are made to settle down or go outside. The phone call is moved to the bed room and cats split up. Sometimes you can just see the birds relax.

I know when they are in overload i am not going to try to do anything with them as it is a great way for a beak to meet flesh. If your bird is overloaded in your home try a different room until she bonds with you and is a little older.

Once you get her in a calm area every thing you do she will watch and react to it better. Set next to her if you have work or reading you normaly do start doing it beside her. Everthing that has happened FORGET IT ALL. You are starting out on a new slate. Birds are very forgiving and will not hold on the past like we do. I want you to take 10 deep breaths with your eyes closed before you approach your bird relax and stay calm.

I want you to just speak to her feed her and set next to her. Keep everything light. Don't look her in the eye. Keep in your mind she wants to bond with you but just does not know how to start. It might take just one time of doing this and she starts to relax or it could take a month. She is going to live a very long time so you are in no rush. let her come to the thought that hey this isn't as bad as i thought.

If you push her during this time it will only stop all work you put into this. I would like to know what all she does eat. How much sleep time she has. If she plays with toys. This isn't going to be a quick fix. This will take as long as she needs it to take. I will not promise this will work either. I can not see what is going on so you will have to be my eyes. I will need you to make a list of what happens each day. Every time you interact with her. I have never dealt with this problem with a bird this young but plenty of adult birds. I am sure you will be ready to pull your hair out half way through this but your baby needs you to keep a cool head and to be very consistant during this time.

 

[brandi36567]

Hi Melinda,

She was like this when I first brought her home, she never willingly came out of the cage even for her formula. The first two feedings I did drag her out of the cage for her feedings but it was so stressful for her and she cried the entire time so I started letting her eat her formula inside the cage. I was hoping this was just from her being in a strange place and it would pass but she never got better. She has not gotten any worse either it is like she is stuck in a rut. I know she "wants" to be friendly she is so curious about everything and she talks to me from inside the cage her body language is begging until the dreaded moment that I get to "close" then it is all over she climbs her rope to the top of her cage and distances herself. She eats zupreem pellets and she has fresh veggies and fruits twice daily. I give her a small amount of seeds and some nuts a couple of times a week. She loves her toys and will immediately start playing with a new toy that is placed in her cage. Her sleep I'm really not sure of because I turn lights out on the birds and cover cages around 7:30pm but this is when she becomes the most talkative and I have actually been in bed at 10:00 pm and could still hear her talking to herself. I also try to pay attention to when my birds are getting overwhelmed with the noise I have kids ages 13,6,5,and 3 and two grown english bulldogs and a litter of bullie pups in the house so it can get crazy. I often turn the tv off in the livingroom and make the kids leave the room to give the birds and the kids some calming down time and for my own sanity. My main concern was if my house if just to active for a timid bird. I do not want to rehome her if she will adjust even if I never can handle her. I was a vet tech for many years and I don't want her to end up going from home to home because of her personality at least with me I know she will be taken care of even if from a distance.

 

[melinda]

You have your heart in the right place. You need to start on step one like you just brought her in to your house. Do not ask her for anything for a week just be near her and talk. Make up a little song about her and sing it to her. Doesn't matter what you sing as it will just be for her. During this week find out what her fav food is. This is what you will start using in week two. We are going to start out doing steps at one a week. Until we find where she is happy with small changes. I will need you to keep up with any small things she does when you work with her.

She does sound like she wants to be with you but is still unsure what will happen if she does. I think she will be fine with time. Your home is her home and you both just need to learn how to work together.

Keep me updated on how it is going. Let me know if she responds better to something you try etc.