Update on our rescue Nova

[TheLadyV]

As you can tell...we settled on "Nova" as a new name (see my other posts) She is doing great...the new cage has worked out perfectly, it's huge and she seems very content in it, we also bought her a fuzzy birdie tent and she love that too. SHe loves my hubby and gets in his lap, goes all over on his shoulder...she still doesn't care for me, flies at me and on an occasion bites my ear and draws blood, but not as badly as she used to. It's not her fault as I know that the women of the house she came from picked on her and were mean to her. I feel bad for her, and me, because my hubby is in retrieve and rescue and is on call 24/7 with an off day twice a month. She could be doing so many things with me...I don't work and she could be with me all day having fun instead of sitting on her cage or her perch (outside her cage). OH also.....her nails are rediculously long and though I know exactly what I'm doing as I worked with animals for thirty years...I wil not attempt to make her hate me more...what do we do?????

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hello and welcome, starting with the nails issue, there are two options really have them done by your AV, not many birds enjoy this but the thing is it is not done by you so they can hate the poor AV. The other thing is buy some rough concrete/sanded perches, in a couple of different sizes to help keep them from getting too long.

I notice that Allee provided this link in a previous thread for you and my personal advice is for you to work through this when you and Nova have time together. This is an ideal time to build trust and a relationship with her. Looks like your hubby is number one, but still no reason with work, you can certainly improve on the current situation, to both your mutual benefit. Good luck.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Give her time to adjust to you, be calm and kind to her and hopefully it will pay off and she will accept you well enough.

 

[Flboy]

FYI, with our vet, a nail clip is only $5.

 

[TheLadyV]

I'm so concerned about having to get there there...I don't want her to start disliking hubby too

 

[plumsmum2005]

OK so start with your travel cage - leave it out and in plain sight for couple of days.
After that time use it as a play stand - give treats whilst Nova is standing on it - put treats inside and leave the door open get her to see its a great big toy!
Then only give a treat after you ask her to go in her travel cage - if she does reward and praise highly.
Personally I have found they do forgive if the result of being put in there is all good. My Plum loves car rides so that's his happy ending.