Teaching to Self-Entertain

[MustLoveAnimals]

How would one teach a bird (either adult or young) to self-entertain? Would it be more difficult with an adult bird who does not know how? Where/How would I start?

 

[SilverSage]

I started with foraging. My Maxi's were not able to do anything to entertain themselves. I honestly had to start just by moving their food dish to another part of the cage Then we worked out way up to hiding it places, having multiple dishes with different choices, and then hiding the food in things like paper bags with a hole in them, etc.

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

I started with foraging. My Maxi's were not able to do anything to entertain themselves. I honestly had to start just by moving their food dish to another part of the cage Then we worked out way up to hiding it places, having multiple dishes with different choices, and then hiding the food in things like paper bags with a hole in them, etc.

Thanks! I'll make a note of that.

 

[LeaKP]

Great ideas. My little cinnamon gcc is having to learn how to play and have fun. Awesome little guy, I think he was traumatized in his prior home. He was purchased from a good breeder but after a couple of months returned to the breeder because the owner wanted a bigger bird! I fell in love with this little one, named Peep, who is coming into his personality. The breeder was careful selling me Peep, didn't want him to go through anything else being so young (9 months).

I've had him for a month now and he's getting happier by the day. Thanks for this info! Helps a lot!

 

[Birdman666]

Deja vu.

The answers you are looking for have been posted probably 20 times already...

I'm kind of getting sick of repeating myself, so I guess a sticky would be in order.

First, you have to structure the interaction. This is your time to get handled. This is the time to eat. This is play time with me. This is the time we go back to our cage and you have to entertain yourself...

These are toys. There are preening toys, forraging toys, shredding toys, toys we swing on, and toys we chew on. Sit them down on your lap and introduce them to toys, then hang them up in the cage. When they go back, they now know what to do, because they played with them on your lap.

Most pluckers are created.

You hold them too much, and entertain them too much, then when you set them down they don't know what to do. So they scream. Then, when that doesn't work, they get bored. So they preen. And when that is done? Eat, preen, sleep. I'm not sleepy. My tummy is full. I'm bored. I think I'll preen some more.

Never liked those feathers anyway...

Scream n plucks are created... The wild birds don't do this stuff...

Structure the interaction, and teach them to play, and you will have a healthy well adjusted companion bird.

Even relatively easy RB2's can be taught to pluck if they aren't given structure and boundaries.

It really is that simple. Socialization and structured interaction, and a healthy diet.

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

Deja vu.

The answers you are looking for have been posted probably 20 times already...

I'm kind of getting sick of repeating myself, so I guess a sticky would be in order.

First, you have to structure the interaction. This is your time to get handled. This is the time to eat. This is play time with me. This is the time we go back to our cage and you have to entertain yourself...

These are toys. There are preening toys, forraging toys, shredding toys, toys we swing on, and toys we chew on. Sit them down on your lap and introduce them to toys, then hang them up in the cage. When they go back, they now know what to do, because they played with them on your lap.

Most pluckers are created.

You hold them too much, and entertain them too much, then when you set them down they don't know what to do. So they scream. Then, when that doesn't work, they get bored. So they preen. And when that is done? Eat, preen, sleep. I'm not sleepy. My tummy is full. I'm bored. I think I'll preen some more.

Never liked those feathers anyway...

Scream n plucks are created... The wild birds don't do this stuff...

Structure the interaction, and teach them to play, and you will have a healthy well adjusted companion bird.

Even relatively easy RB2's can be taught to pluck if they aren't given structure and boundaries.

It really is that simple. Socialization and structured interaction, and a healthy diet.

Sorry, I supposed I should have searched through the forums for an answer first.

Thank you so much for this information!!

 

[Colorguarder08]

There is no need to apologize do you know how many threads are posted on here? and to search through all of them would take forever. You had a legitimate question and wanted an answer, and if somebody is "tired of answering it" they don't have to. Make sure there are plenty of toys and a variety so Arka can choose which ones she does and doesn't like. Not all birds like all toys. Don't just offer a lot of the same type either make sure to offer a varitey of textures and materials. Play with them and when Arka sees you having fun with them it should peak her interest to play with them as well. Heres a link to one of my favorite cockatiel sites Cockatiel Cottage, Cockatiels, basic care and general information on the cockatiel, cockatiel information, cockatiels basic care, diet, nutrition, pellet diets, health, illness, behavior, taming, behavior problems, biting, sickness, symptoms of a sic I don't remember which of the topics covers toys but one of them do. While I do love this site I don't agree with everything it says so just go with what you feel is right.

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

There is no need to apologize do you know how many threads are posted on here? and to search through all of them would take forever. You had a legitimate question and wanted an answer, and if somebody is "tired of answering it" they don't have to. Make sure there are plenty of toys and a variety so Arka can choose which ones she does and doesn't like. Not all birds like all toys. Don't just offer a lot of the same type either make sure to offer a varitey of textures and materials. Play with them and when Arka sees you having fun with them it should peak her interest to play with them as well. Heres a link to one of my favorite cockatiel sites Cockatiel Cottage, Cockatiels, basic care and general information on the cockatiel, cockatiel information, cockatiels basic care, diet, nutrition, pellet diets, health, illness, behavior, taming, behavior problems, biting, sickness, symptoms of a sic I don't remember which of the topics covers toys but one of them do. While I do love this site I don't agree with everything it says so just go with what you feel is right.

Thank you!
Well, actually, I was asking in regards to a future bird. I will be getting a Rose Breasted Cockatoo (within the next 6-12 months), and I know that they are among the "easy" 'Toos (really not easy), but may still have some issues with self-entertaining. I figure I'll just learn about it now. If I need it, then great, I'll know what to do. If not, oh well. Just something I have learned.
Thanks again!

 

[Colorguarder08]

Don't spoil it with attention when its young meaning don't spend every waking minute with it and it should be fine. That's why even though I could of had Riley on/with me for the past week I made sure to limit our time together to 1-3 hours because I know when the doctor clears to me go back to work that's Morea realistic than the 8-10 hours I can give her right now.