rocky
Weaned Todd
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 29
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Post by rocky on Oct 1, 2005 7:18:31 GMT -7
hi all, i have had my 11 month AG rocky about 12 weeks now and he's settled in great. Just recently he has started to let me stroke his beak but only through the bars of the cage when i am giving him food. He is also making noises and sounds like hes trying to speak.  The only problem i am really having is that when i try to stroke his head he always bites and when i open the cage he wont let my hand near him without a nip or a bite. How can i overcome this problem. Am i being too unpatiant? Any help will be much appreciated. PS. he was not hand reared. Cheers, Chris. |
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Post by lidiam on Oct 1, 2005 7:43:58 GMT -7
Hi Chris, Welcome to the board. ;D Yes, you might be being a little impatient. Okay, first Rocky was not hand reared so is not used to being stroked. This you can alter in time, but you have to gain his trust first. You can get him used to your hands by teaching him to step up, so you can carry him around, and by feeding him treats from your hands directly to his beak. Second, biting in the cage: This is his territory, and until you've earned his complete trust and he is sure you are not trying to do him any harm or interfere with his cage, this will continue - and perhaps even when he does trust you, he will still be territorial about the inside of the cage! In general, take it very slow. You've not had him long and you didn't say where he was before you acquired him, so you may not know how well he was treated before you. You have to give him time and space to adjust. Speak kindly and enthusiastically at him. Don't get angry with him, don't loom over him (for prey birds attack usually comes from above!). Let us know how you get on. Lidia |
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Oct 1, 2005 7:50:59 GMT -7
Let him out of the cage while supervised, this way he will not be so protective of his space. Yes your being a little too impatient
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rocky
Weaned Todd
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 29
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Post by rocky on Oct 1, 2005 9:01:59 GMT -7
Thanks for the warm welcome! and thanks for the advice aswell. I know it takes time and i think that he's has came along way since i first got him as he just growled at anyone that went near him. As for where i got him, i got him from a small reputable indapendent shop in edinburgh and he came from down south according to the shop owner. Also with the pictures can anyone tell me if he is a congo os a Timneh. Cheers, Chris. Here's a few pictures...    |
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Post by Jane on Oct 1, 2005 9:13:19 GMT -7
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Rocky is a Congo.
Jane
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Post by lidiam on Oct 1, 2005 9:48:34 GMT -7
Very nice looking bird, Chris. He looks lovely and strong.
Eh, he's definitely older than 11 months though, as their eyes do not go that straw colour until they're around 2 years old! Jane, would you agree?
All the more reason to take it slowly with him.
Lidia
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rocky
Weaned Todd
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 29
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Post by rocky on Oct 2, 2005 9:22:27 GMT -7
we were told when we bought him that he was 11 months old or round abouts. i've also heard alot about feather plucking! do the fix or clean thier feathers alot? he always seems to be fiddeling with his feathers but has never pulled any out.
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Post by Jane on Oct 2, 2005 10:05:04 GMT -7
He looks older than 11 months.
They do a lot of preening, it is natural behaviour to keep their feathers in good condition and they also lose small white down feathers on a daily basis.
Jane
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kiwi
Just Hatched
Joined: September 2005
Posts: 1
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Post by kiwi on Oct 4, 2005 21:27:33 GMT -7
WO...we got the same problem. I brought my bird like three weeks ago. And they told me she was 10 month old, but she looks like your bird and she won't stand on my hand either, she trys to bit if you put your hands near her. Next time I should post her pics on too.
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Post by Africanewbie on Oct 5, 2005 0:51:52 GMT -7
Nice looking bird!!!
Did you get a certificate with Rocky? He does seem older than 11 months by the yellow colour of his eyes but then it could just be the lighting or angle of the shot. My Trinie is 11 months and a week and his eyes are a light grey.
PS: I think you should reduce the size of the photos before you post them.
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Post by post on Oct 5, 2005 6:54:33 GMT -7
Hi Chris, Okay, first Rocky was not hand reared so is not used to being stroked. This you can alter in time, but you have to gain his trust first. You can get him used to your hands by teaching him to step up, so you can carry him around, and by feeding him treats from your hands directly to his beak. Lidia how do i get im to stand on my hand in the first place then? Do i lure him with food? or wait till he trusts me a bit more. Did you get a certificate with Rocky? no i did not get a certificate with him, should i have one? WO...we got the same problem. I brought my bird like three weeks ago. And they told me she was 10 month old, but she looks like your bird and she won't stand on my hand either, she trys to bit if you put your hands near her. Next time I should post her pics on too. mmm, lets see some photos. |
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Post by Jane on Oct 5, 2005 16:40:54 GMT -7
Step up training involves putting your hand in front of the bird just above the feet and nudging his tummy. You push slightly and that makes the bird put his foot up and onto your hand. Give praise all the time but you can encourage him with a treat in your other hand.
Jane
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Post by jg on Oct 10, 2005 9:31:17 GMT -7
if i tryed that i'd get a bite for sure! i take its its the old waiting game again? until he fully trusts me.
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Post by lidiam on Oct 10, 2005 10:37:35 GMT -7
Chris, You WILL be bitten at various times. No matter how friendly your AG is you will get nasty bites from time to time, and they're often accidental. For instance, this morning I was vacuuming and Joshua was hanging off my back and trying to climb higher up my shoulder but was gradually pulling my jimjam top lower and lower until he was hanging onto the elbow of my top, and he leaned forward and bit the heel of my hand really hard (he drew blood, bruised my hand and left two puncture marks) just to get a purchase on something. He absolutely wasn't trying to bite me, as he was having fun, but it does happen! The more nervous you are of being bitten, and the more trepidation you show when trying to teach him to step up, the more likely it is you will be bitten as you will confuse Rocky. Do as Jane described, but go slowly and be firm. You can discourage the biting my telling him "No!" when he gets his beak around you. Remember, the beak and tongue are also used as a third hand for balance, and he may well lean forward to balance himself by holding on with his beak before he steps onto your hand. It's important not to pull back if this is what he is doing and if, as a consequence, you get the occasional bite ... it goes with the territory! Also, while you haven't really responded to those comments, it is quite clear from the photos that Rocky must be at least around two years old, so he may have some bad habits to unlearn. Be patient and be firm. Don't be too nervous. Lidia  |
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Post by nancyd on Oct 11, 2005 16:43:57 GMT -7
oh by the way your AG is a Congo. Congo's have bright red tails, and black beaks --Timnehs tails are more of a maroon color and their top beak is a bone color. Also Timnehs feathers are generally darker than Congos
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The only problem i am really having is that when i try to stroke his head he always bites and when i open the cage he wont let my hand near him without a nip or a bite. How can i overcome this problem. Am i being too unpatiant?
