they won't bathe

[henry0reilly]

I've tried putting water in a wide shallow container on top of the cage when they're loose. I'm sure their feathers would look better if they bathed.

General update: Max is as mean as ever, but he'll go back in his cage for a peanut every time. I've come to terms with Baby's vocalizations but my wife still gets upset some times.

 

[Scott]

Sigh, bathing is such a chore for many birds! A good way to introduce the joys of water to the reluctant is via spray bottle. Take a new bottle (inexpensive from discount and "dollar" stores) and adjust the nozzle to a fine mist. Hold the bottle a foot or so from the bird at equal height, and spray upwards at an angle, allowing the droplets to fall from above. Many will find this less threatening than dousing under a faucet or actual shower. I've also done this to *myself* while holding a bird at arms length to illustrate it is harmless.

 

[ChrisYNA]

Sigh, bathing is such a chore for many birds! A good way to introduce the joys of water to the reluctant is via spray bottle. Take a new bottle (inexpensive from discount and "dollar" stores) and adjust the nozzle to a fine mist. Hold the bottle a foot or so from the bird at equal height, and spray upwards at an angle, allowing the droplets to fall from above. Many will find this less threatening than dousing under a faucet or actual shower. I've also done this to *myself* while holding a bird at arms length to illustrate it is harmless.

That's how I do it.

Henry, if you're in an extra good spirit, shoot it up over yourself and let the bird see you're enjoying your shower, then do the bird, then you, then the bird.... etc

 

[Inger]

Bumble likes to bathe near the kitchen faucet. She’ll sit in my hand, lean in for a drink, and sometimes splash her face or fluff her tail. That’s how I know to grab the spray bottle and mist from above and she loves it. Sometimes she decides to actually stand under the running faucet like a real weirdo! She has no interest in bathing in a pan or a dish and the only time she used her water bowl was when it was a one inch square temporary one. And she’s afraid of the bathroom so actual shower is out of the question.


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[GaleriaGila]

Yeah, agreed with the above. Experimentation is great, and can be fun. The Rb prefers a huge, shallow wok, but sometimes he just won't bathe voluntarily for weeks, so yep, it's the ol' spray bottle! MAN, does he curse me out, but I recall my mom forcibly bathing my little brothers way back when, for their own good!