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- Unruly Oscar
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| Unruly Oscar | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 20 2009, 09:29 AM (240 Views) | |
| Helen | Sep 20 2009, 09:29 AM Post #1 |
Newbie
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Hi guys, I'm afraid this is a long story, so please bear with me! I've had Oscar for three weeks now, and he's settled in fine, he'll step onto my finger in the cage and has seemed okay with everything food and toy-wise. I've been cautious about having him out side of the cage as he's a parent-reared bird and is still flighted but I thought if I got him really used to 'stepping up' in the cage and all he'd be okay. I let him out last week (he came out of the cage on his own accord) and he completely panicked, bumping into walls and not letting me anywhere near him. We caught him in the end using a blanket, but it wasn't a very happy experience for anyone, and so I decided that I needed to get him clipped to be able to train him safely (I lost a budgie through him bumping into the wall, and obviously never want this to happen again). I thought it'd be a good idea to try and hold him properly in my hand (so that I could transfer him into another cage to get to the vets, and so that he could actually be held to get his wings clipped) but this is going nowhere - he'll hop onto my open palm to eat some millet, but any sign of the fingers closing around him and he's away! I feel awful about just chasing him round the cage, as I know this will just stress him out, but I need to get this wing clip done, as he's becoming increasingly territorial with the cage and is starting to try and bite my finger before stepping onto it. Does anyone have any advice about any of this, and what I should do next? I'm so worried that I've handled this all wrong and really messed things up for him :( Sorry for the long and rambling message! Thanks for your time x |
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| Jan | Sep 20 2009, 10:10 AM Post #2 |
Vip Member
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Oh Helen.. Im so sorry your having problems.... Welcome to Parrotlets!!!it seems to be them! Read some of my post.. you'll see Ive had trouble with Sky ever since Ive had her... Well over a year... she is getting worse not better... All I can say is patience...luv and dont let them win! (Easier said than done) My male parrotlet Scooby is lovely... I can handle him where as Sky I handle with a soft glove on; for my protection saves me a few bites giggle Its early days for you yet But Id say get the wings clipped both of them not just one...you'll find it easier to catch him... With Sky when she is on the floor I drop a small towell over her and scoop her up in it saves me and her getting stressed... Hope someone else can be more helpful than me.. Will follow your out come.. Good luck |
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| Gardengail | Sep 20 2009, 12:58 PM Post #3 |
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Jan has given you excellent advice!!! I agree try not to corner him in his cage. Try taking some millet and put it on the floor near his cage. Once he comes out and goes for the millet, then I would take Jan's advice and quickly but gently put a towel over him and put him into a carrier. I think you will have better results and it will be much easier for you to train him with his wings clipped. Good luck Helen! |
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| kevinp | Sep 20 2009, 04:14 PM Post #4 |
Administrator
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Hi and welcome to the forum. Even though its frowned upon in the uk I would suggest having his wings clipped as like you I have watched a parrotlet fly into a wall at full speed and then later die from this. But as Jan said please do both of his wings evenly, this will mean he can flutter about and still fly but not as fast but he will be able to land, when you first clip him sit with him on the floor and let him fly from a very low level this will mean he will quickly understand that he wont be able to fly far. This is the only time I would recommend having a parrot on the floor they can get stood on far too easily. As soon as Squeak was clipped it calmed he right down and although he doesn't like to be tickled or scratched he will step up ( but not in the cage ???? ) when out. He will then be much more reliant on you and with some patience and millet you should have a far easier time with him. Here is a link to a Parrotlet training page. http://lmkandtux.homestead.com/Rbook4Utraining.html And here is the link to our Parrotlet info pages http://www.parrotlet.org.uk/ |
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| LauraR | Sep 20 2009, 05:57 PM Post #5 |
Staff Member
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Good luck, Helen, I also agree that clipping his wings will help a lot. When I have to catch one of my budgies in the aviary, I drop a small towel on them if I can and then pick them up. Some parrotlets who are very tame will step up and hang out with you but never like hands surrounding them. |
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| Gardengail | Sep 20 2009, 09:05 PM Post #6 |
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Cricket is the odd ball here...he is extremely happy when I take his whole body and cup him in my hand. He falls asleep that way :wub: |
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| Helen | Sep 21 2009, 02:11 PM Post #7 |
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Newbie
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Thank you Jan, Gail, Kevin and Laura for your advice and encouragement - I'm sorry about my delayed response; I'm having internet issues as well as birdie problems! I think Jan is completely right about me having to be patient - let's face it, Oscar's not going anywhere much at the moment, so I've got plenty of time to work with him! (I hope Sky's not being too nippy at the moment!) I've checked out the links that Kevin said and they're really helpful, thank you - I need to arm myself with millet, towels and thick skin and get his wings sorted out. Cricket sounds like a proper sweetie, Gail - you're lucky! :) |
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| theexbrit | Sep 22 2009, 01:34 AM Post #8 |
Co Admin
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Clipping is the way to go for building a bond, they learn to rely on you so much. Be very careful if you're clipping them yourself, there is a diagram here that shows you how. It's also very early days yet, it can take months to build a strong bond. But it will happen, so don't give up. nodding :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: |
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| Helen | Sep 23 2009, 09:54 AM Post #9 |
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Newbie
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Thanks Andy - I think its the best thing for him 'cause I've got to be able to train him to be slightly more tame! I've checked out the diagrams, and its something that I'm too frightened to do myself at the moment. I've phoned around a couple of local vets that specialise in birds, but to be honest they're really reticent to do it as they think its mean :( They've made me feel really horrible! I know there's a couple of group members based in the Yorkshire area, so if any of you could possibly let me know if you have your birds clipped, and if so, where you go to have this done I'd be very appreciative! |
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| Gardengail | Sep 23 2009, 12:33 PM Post #10 |
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Staff Member
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I'm sorry you can't find a vet that will help you out. In my opinion I think it's wrong of them to force their beliefs on others! :( May be you could check some pet stores that sell birds? I'm with you Helen...I've never had the nerve to clip my birds wings myself. I'd be too scared of hurting them! |
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| LauraR | Sep 23 2009, 05:30 PM Post #11 |
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Staff Member
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Don't feel bad, Helen. The wings grow out so fast anyway. It's not a permanent thing. Here in the US, it's an accepted thing to do, but I know it's different in England. I hope you can get someone to help you! |
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| scooby | Sep 23 2009, 06:28 PM Post #12 |
Vip Member
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I personally do not have any of my birds wings clipped ,but i have considered it but never never gone through with it. I have heard it makes it easier to train a bird so i think you should maybe consider it. I got my conure from a guy who works at grimston nurseries just outside tadcaster ,he breeds and sells parrots ,and i think he would certainly clip oscars wings for you, if you pm me i will give you a telephone number you can ring and ask him |
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| Jan | Sep 24 2009, 07:21 AM Post #13 |
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When you have the wings clipped watch how its done.. all it is then is following the cut every now and then I take a very little off just enough to stop them flighing like jets.. |
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| Helen | Sep 24 2009, 07:44 AM Post #14 |
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Newbie
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That sounds like a good idea, Jan - I might be just about okay with taking off the wing tips - still a terrifying thought, though! :scared: Thanks ever so much for suggesting that guy near Tadcaster, Jackie, I'm going to message you in a minute 'cause that sounds great! I did ask at a pet shop down the road, Gail, so thanks for suggesting that, but the woman looked at me as if I was suggesting I wanted to amputate his wings!!! Grrrr!!! Don't you love having advice from people who don't even keep birds themselves?!? It's times like this I wish I lived in the States! Thanks Laura, I thought that'd be the case that the wings grow out anyway, so perhaps when he's a bit more confident with me it won't be necessary to keep him clipped. Is there any risks attached to wing-clipping? I thought that as long it was done properly it was no big deal, and much safer for the bird and obviously preferable to not letting him out the cage at all, but I just don't understand why vets seem so negative about it in the U.K.! :question: Anyway, thank you again to everyone for the advice - I really appreciate your advice. This is such a lovely site - I don't know what I'd do without it :) |
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| schmatalie | Sep 24 2009, 08:58 AM Post #15 |
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Member
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I've been looking into getting my lovebird clipped to help with taming, and run into the same problems as you. It's hard enough to make the descision without other people making you feel bad about it! You are being a responsible owner and trying to do what's best for your bird, so ignore the critics who don't even keep birds! Keep us updated on how you get on... Taming tips are always welcome! |
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