Moo Knight
Moving in
- Joined
- 12/4/17
- Messages
- 5
- Real Name
- Michelle Knight
Hi all.
I am the new owner of a 15 week old African grey.
Dusty is very cuddly but absolutely HATES going back in cage.
We get him/her out every morning for an hour or so and every evening for a couple of hours. Would have him out for longer but he insists on sitting on my shoulder all the time and will not sit on perch in kitchen while I'm cooking etc.... so cannot get him out as soon as I get home from work.
Getting Dusty to step up, step on perch (and stay there) or go in cage is a nightmare. We have tried everything: training when hungry, putting exciting stuff in cage or on perch, new toys etc..... all birdie does is look at said item and climb back up onto my shoulder. My husband sometimes have success with the aid of sunflower seeds but I absolutely do not. and when birdie finally does go back in cage, we don't walk away (as it says not to) in fact I actually sat next to the cage the other night and read it a bedtime story!!
If anyone knows of any other helpful methods I would be most grateful. I would love to have Dusty out as much as possible while I am doing my jobs as I know that out of cage time is crucial to them, but unless I can gain control it just isn't possible. We are at the point where we feel it better to not have Dusty out in the mornings because it becomes a stressfull time for us all with being concious of the fact that we need to get ready for work etc.. and Dusty just not wanting to go back in the cage but I feel so guilty about the lack of out of cage time. I have texted the breeder for advice to try and find out what the routine was with them and await a reply but I would imagine that being a breeder the birds probably had a lot of out of cage time and company as that's what this particular breeder does for a living.
Any words of reassurance or advise gratefully received.
Have a great day all.
I am the new owner of a 15 week old African grey.
Dusty is very cuddly but absolutely HATES going back in cage.
We get him/her out every morning for an hour or so and every evening for a couple of hours. Would have him out for longer but he insists on sitting on my shoulder all the time and will not sit on perch in kitchen while I'm cooking etc.... so cannot get him out as soon as I get home from work.
Getting Dusty to step up, step on perch (and stay there) or go in cage is a nightmare. We have tried everything: training when hungry, putting exciting stuff in cage or on perch, new toys etc..... all birdie does is look at said item and climb back up onto my shoulder. My husband sometimes have success with the aid of sunflower seeds but I absolutely do not. and when birdie finally does go back in cage, we don't walk away (as it says not to) in fact I actually sat next to the cage the other night and read it a bedtime story!!
If anyone knows of any other helpful methods I would be most grateful. I would love to have Dusty out as much as possible while I am doing my jobs as I know that out of cage time is crucial to them, but unless I can gain control it just isn't possible. We are at the point where we feel it better to not have Dusty out in the mornings because it becomes a stressfull time for us all with being concious of the fact that we need to get ready for work etc.. and Dusty just not wanting to go back in the cage but I feel so guilty about the lack of out of cage time. I have texted the breeder for advice to try and find out what the routine was with them and await a reply but I would imagine that being a breeder the birds probably had a lot of out of cage time and company as that's what this particular breeder does for a living.
Any words of reassurance or advise gratefully received.
Have a great day all.