Will she come around?

[kschwimmer]

Hello Fellow Ekkie lovers!

I adopted a 10 year old female Vos about 1 month ago. She is my second bird but my first (a sun conure named Nacho-bird) came as a hand fed baby. So he just goes with the flow and is my buddy. Chloe on the other hand has come with so much baggage. She bonded with her first owner 10 years ago but was given to a rescue because she was just too young to have such a commitment (college student). The rescue re-homed to her to a new family that I have been told she started to come around to but the husband became ill and back to the rescue she went. After another 5 months - she came to live with me. She has a history of plucking but seems to have stopped for now and is growing back her beautiful red and purple feathers. When I first got her she wanted NOTHING to do with me. Now she sits on top of her cage and in the evening she climbs down on her own and comes to find us watching TV in the other room - she will move into the Family room soon - just allowing for a calmer adjustment time for her. She talks, she whistles, she sings, she eats very well on a diet I spent many days researching. My question, will she ever trust me? My husband is right, she has come a long way from 4 weeks ago. I just want her to be happy and I know she wants the interaction but she won't let me reach for her. She has NEVER bitten me ( did get my husband - not a big fan of men) but I have no fear of her - I sense (cautiously) she doesn't want to bite me. she will perch on my shoulder but heaven forbid I try to pet her. I would love to hear from other Ekkie moms and dads.

:red: Katherine

 

[Wdlodge]

Hello Fellow Ekkie lovers!

I adopted a 10 year old female Vos about 1 month ago. She is my second bird but my first (a sun conure named Nacho-bird) came as a hand fed baby. So he just goes with the flow and is my buddy. Chloe on the other hand has come with so much baggage. She bonded with her first owner 10 years ago but was given to a rescue because she was just too young to have such a commitment (college student). The rescue re-homed to her to a new family that I have been told she started to come around to but the husband became ill and back to the rescue she went. After another 5 months - she came to live with me. She has a history of plucking but seems to have stopped for now and is growing back her beautiful red and purple feathers. When I first got her she wanted NOTHING to do with me. Now she sits on top of her cage and in the evening she climbs down on her own and comes to find us watching TV in the other room - she will move into the Family room soon - just allowing for a calmer adjustment time for her. She talks, she whistles, she sings, she eats very well on a diet I spent many days researching. My question, will she ever trust me? My husband is right, she has come a long way from 4 weeks ago. I just want her to be happy and I know she wants the interaction but she won't let me reach for her. She has NEVER bitten me ( did get my husband - not a big fan of men) but I have no fear of her - I sense (cautiously) she doesn't want to bite me. she will perch on my shoulder but heaven forbid I try to pet her. I would love to hear from other Ekkie moms and dads.

:red: Katherine

Hi Kathleen,

You are allowing her to go at her own pace. Good job, don't rush it. Talk soft and calmly, move slowly, and never push her farther then she can tolerate. I think the fact that she sought you out is a good sign. Pay close attention to her body language, it speaks volumes.

Just recently I was feeling frustrated with my baby Sennie. I was really down because it seemed at nothing I did made her happy. Never force a situation, that will only prolong the bond from happening. It's been about a week since I felt that way. I worked at her own pace, never pushing. Today for the first time I was able to scratch her head and neck. And I could tell she was enjoying it. She is beginning to trust me, and my hands. Good luck, and your doing a good job.

Wendy

 

[kschwimmer]

Thanks Wendy for the encouragement! This forum is a great resource! I now understand why she won't "play" with anything but if I set up some foraging toys she goes to town like Sherlock on a case! What a hoot! Now I just need to figure out how to get her to bathe, I know that will help with her over preening - she must be sooo itchy but I really don't think she has ever bathed!!

 

[Wdlodge]

Thanks Wendy for the encouragement! This forum is a great resource! I now understand why she won't "play" with anything but if I set up some foraging toys she goes to town like Sherlock on a case! What a hoot! Now I just need to figure out how to get her to bathe, I know that will help with her over preening - she must be sooo itchy but I really don't think she has ever bathed!!

Anytime! And yes this is a great resource. Forging tous are great and you are meeting her need there. As for bathing, just offer her a shallow dish of water everyday, she will eventually come around, again don't force it. I use a see through glass bowl. Or she might just try and use her water bowl. You cwn try misting her lightly, that might jump start the idea, but if she becomes afraid stop. Just go at her pace.

 

[Chikoo]

She will definitely come around. Just keep feeding her and talking to her and giving her the space to make her own decisions. She will bond to you before you know it!