Socialization Tips?

[Itsohkai]

Blaze is my (nearly) 3-year old Sun Conure. I'd like to help him get more used to people so I hope someone will be able to help me out. Let me give a little backstory to make things clearer.

When I first got him, his wings had been clipped so I wasn't worried about him flying away from me and took him places. He stayed on my shoulder without any problems because it's like he knew he couldn't fly. However, ever since his flight feathers grew back after his first molt, I refuse to have them clipped again. He's so much happier since he can fly. However, this means that he also doesn't get to go outside with me anymore. I don't want to take any chances that he'll fly away.

I did buy him a flight harness, but he really doesn't like it. The process of trying to get him to tolerate it has been slow. We're still working on it though so I'd appreciate some advice.

For his hatchday present, I bought a Celltei Pak-O-Bird so he can come with me again and still have a nice, safe place to hang out. I currently work at a vet clinic, and I've been wanting to take him with me. I understand that the new environment is going to be a little stressful for him at first. Can anyone give me some pointers to help Blaze get used to being around different people?

I don't plan allowing everyone to try and pet him. He isn't used to strangers and has a tendency to bite.

 

[Kiwibird]

I think you're on the right track with him. Socialization happens the more they are exposed to new people in new environments. I would start slowly. Kiwi started by coming out into the apartment courtyard with us, and neighbors would come say hello to him, but kept their distance at our request. Gradually, he moved up to going to parks where there were more people around and now he goes all over with me (in a pak-o-bird). His first few times being around large crowds (the farmers market) he was a bit nervous, but quickly decided he liked all the attention and free treats, as vendors seem to love giving him a berry or nut So far, the only people we've allowed to actually hold him are other bird people well aware he could bite (our old landlords had a bird and my parents) and my brother in law who wasn't concerned about being bit. He has, so far, not bitten any 'strangers' and has been rather well behaved. I still wouldn't allow non-bird people I don't know to hold him and likely never will. He will accept treats from strangers, but I instruct them to hold the treat by the end and approach very slowly so he can grab it without his beak coming too close to their fingers.

Doe the vet clinic you work at treat birds (even non-parrots)? If so, I would reconsider bringing him into work. IMO, the potential for disease is way too risky. Why expose your perfectly healthy bird to potentially sick birds people bring in? Generally in public even if someone else has their parrot out with them, the bird is healthy (or else it would be at the vet or at home).

 

[Mwolfe1080]

I would take with you a bag of his favorite treats and as you progress through each day and random people commit on your bird offer the treats to your friends and have them give the treats to your bird. The bird will begin to associate all humans as a food source and consequently become friendlier

 

[Mwolfe1080]

And you absolutely 100 percent want to socialize the bird. Once a bird becomes a one person bird they are intolerable and almost unchangable. Birds are closer to their wild ancestors due to the fact that we haven't really domesticated them yet, like we have with dogs and cats. But due to their social hyarchy and their need for companionship we can take advantage of this and their social structer and incorporate them into our society as pets. one more thing once you have you bird un afraid to go out in public and be around others you have to continue introducing her to people or her trust will discontinue as well.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Blaze is my (nearly) 3-year old Sun Conure. I'd like to help him get more used to people so I hope someone will be able to help me out. Let me give a little backstory to make things clearer.

When I first got him, his wings had been clipped so I wasn't worried about him flying away from me and took him places. He stayed on my shoulder without any problems because it's like he knew he couldn't fly. However, ever since his flight feathers grew back after his first molt, I refuse to have them clipped again. He's so much happier since he can fly. However, this means that he also doesn't get to go outside with me anymore. I don't want to take any chances that he'll fly away.

I did buy him a flight harness, but he really doesn't like it. The process of trying to get him to tolerate it has been slow. We're still working on it though so I'd appreciate some advice.

For his hatchday present, I bought a Celltei Pak-O-Bird so he can come with me again and still have a nice, safe place to hang out. I currently work at a vet clinic, and I've been wanting to take him with me. I understand that the new environment is going to be a little stressful for him at first. Can anyone give me some pointers to help Blaze get used to being around different people?

I don't plan allowing everyone to try and pet him. He isn't used to strangers and has a tendency to bite.

Real good news that you want to socialise Blaze but I am with Kiwibird re going to work with you, the risks are too high IMO. There are loads of safe places you can go, visits to family, friends, for walks and picnics just for starters. A travel cage might be more convenient when visiting people as this offers more than the back pack which is great for 'doing' activities where their interest is kept up but you will find if they get bored inside, it gets chewed.

 

[wrench13]

Can I ask how you get treats from strangers to Kiwi when he is in the Pack-o-Bird? I am paranoid about opening it up, lest Salty be ready to pounce to get out.

Man I HAVE to get him harness trained. I have been pushing it more when we do harness training but he just dont like them wings touched.

 

[wrench13]

To take Salty to work, I brought a real travel cage, like this

https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Avian-Adventures-Poquito-Platinum/dp/B0018CDYVG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1467987833&sr=8-7&keywords=travel+cage+parrot%2F

ANd once in my office, he was allowed out and onto his small tree i also brought.
He had a ball and everyone loved him. The Pack-o-bird is too small to keep a parrot in all day IMHO. ANytime Salty will be with me for an extended time, like a pirate festival or at work, this is what he comes in. THe pack-o-bird does have it uses, like going shopping or for a walk in the park.

 

[Itsohkai]

I think you're on the right track with him. Socialization happens the more they are exposed to new people in new environments. I would start slowly. Kiwi started by coming out into the apartment courtyard with us, and neighbors would come say hello to him, but kept their distance at our request. Gradually, he moved up to going to parks where there were more people around and now he goes all over with me (in a pak-o-bird). His first few times being around large crowds (the farmers market) he was a bit nervous, but quickly decided he liked all the attention and free treats, as vendors seem to love giving him a berry or nut So far, the only people we've allowed to actually hold him are other bird people well aware he could bite (our old landlords had a bird and my parents) and my brother in law who wasn't concerned about being bit. He has, so far, not bitten any 'strangers' and has been rather well behaved. I still wouldn't allow non-bird people I don't know to hold him and likely never will. He will accept treats from strangers, but I instruct them to hold the treat by the end and approach very slowly so he can grab it without his beak coming too close to their fingers.

Doe the vet clinic you work at treat birds (even non-parrots)? If so, I would reconsider bringing him into work. IMO, the potential for disease is way too risky. Why expose your perfectly healthy bird to potentially sick birds people bring in? Generally in public even if someone else has their parrot out with them, the bird is healthy (or else it would be at the vet or at home).

I completely understand the risk for disease. That's something I'll definitely be thinking about again, but our clinic rarely sees birds. The majority of our patients are cats & dogs, and I don't plan on letting Blaze anywhere near animals I don't know and vice versa.

He wouldn't be staying with me whenever I work full shifts. Those are 10 hours long, and I know that's way too much time to be cooped up. I am thinking about going in on my days off for a little while at first to get him accustomed to the sights and sounds as well as my coworkers. That way, it won't be for too long, and I'll be ableto leave once he gets too uncomfortable.

But before that even starts happening, Blaze will be going in for an exam this Wednesday.

 

[Itsohkai]

To take Salty to work, I brought a real travel cage, like this

https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Avian-Adventures-Poquito-Platinum/dp/B0018CDYVG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1467987833&sr=8-7&keywords=travel+cage+parrot%2F

ANd once in my office, he was allowed out and onto his small tree i also brought.
He had a ball and everyone loved him. The Pack-o-bird is too small to keep a parrot in all day IMHO. ANytime Salty will be with me for an extended time, like a pirate festival or at work, this is what he comes in. THe pack-o-bird does have it uses, like going shopping or for a walk in the park.

Thanks for the link. I'll sure be investing in this soon! Blaze has a smaller travel cage, but sadly, it was all I could afford at the time when I had to get him out of his old environment. It's high time for a good upgrade.