Question on poop training

[wasabismom]

I was wondering if anyone has advise on how to train my quaker not to poop on me when shes on me. She poops on me atleast a few times daily. It would be nice if I could save my shirts anyone train there small bird not to poop on them?
Its so quick... I have been trying to say the word potty every time she goes but if anyone has easy tricks I would love to know.

 

[Mizzely]

I just wear a baby burp cloth on my shoulder Easier than training lol

 

[echobird]

I don't know about poop training but I watch for any signs of the birds wanting to poop and then I take them to the cage or a perch and have them do it. I used to take Echo every ten minutes because that's how often she poops.

 

[Ark]

If your bird is clipped, just place her down where you want her to go every ten minutes or so, and pick her up afterwards. Works the same way if they can fly, but you might need to be a bit more insistent about sending her back to a perch until she goes. At least in my experience, they learn very quickly, and both of mine now fly to perches when the need arises. Just be careful you don't teach her to go on a very strict command, because it can sometimes lead to problems with them holding it or straining.

 

[JLcribber]

We don't recommend potty training (poop on command) for any bird simply because it's too dangerous. Learn to read the signs and put her down every 10 minutes or so as mentioned.

As far as clothes. You will learn there are bird clothes and real clothes. Never shall the two intermix. If it really bothers you, you can wear a poop coat...... I mean a lovely lab coat.

 

[wasabismom]

Thanks for the replies. I read a few places where birds didnt poop on their owners so was just interested in not always being a bullseye. I didnt think of a light coat or jacket tho. So maybe I'll just wear a light weight robe and have it be my dirty birdy jacket. I will have to wash frequently or have multiple ones lol.

 

[JLcribber]

I read a few places where birds didnt poop on their owners so was just interested in not always being a bullseye.

That would have been the birds preference and I'll bet honest money those birds are flighted so they have the "choice".

 

[wasabismom]

Yes my quaker is fully flighted but she chooses to poop on me then fly where she wants lol

 

[JLcribber]

Yes my quaker is fully flighted but she chooses to poop on me then fly where she wants lol

The natural behaviour of a bird is to lighten the load just before going somewhere. Why take it with you right?

There is the first cue. If you know she is going to fly you give her a shoo to a familiar place before she can unload. Most captive parrots do not poop in flight.

There's also your "first" designated poop spot. It's gotta be somewhere.

If she poops in flight, well you lose

 

[karen256]

How old is she? Babies do have a little less control than adults.

You can try keeping a 'potty perch' nearby (a basket where can perch on the handle makes a handy lightweight perch). Wait about 10 minutes, then place her there - when she does go, say 'potty' and praise her, and pick her up again. After awhile, she should learn to hop over to that perch to go just to receive praise.

Never punish a bird for accidents, and never be so strict with potty training that they won't poop in the cage or will poop only on the potty perch.

Tell her she's a good girl any time you notice her poop in an acceptable spot, whether or not she's on the potty perch. In fact, it's a good idea to ask her to potty before you let her out of the cage sometimes - so she knows the cage is where she should go.

Also do not expect a bird to ever be 100% potty trained. My GCC is about 95% reliable (about pooping on people - floors and furniture don't count) - and that still means 1-2 accidents a day.