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Post by melinda on Jan 24, 2005 21:18:02 GMT -7
I need some help. We've had our cag since she was 3 months old, she will be a yr in march. I think we spoiled her too much because she's refusing to stay in her cage, what I mean is, everytime we put her in there she pushes her wing in between the bars and stars twisting it , then proceeds to cry out because it's stuck. So of course I run to get her, I'm afraid she's going to damage her wing. It looks terrible, all matted now.
How do I prevent her from doing this. please help. I'm afraid to keep putting her back in her cage, but she cant be out 24/7.
thanks
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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2005 1:46:29 GMT -7
It sounds as if she has learnt what to do to get you running to her, so this part of it may be an attention seeking thing. However much freedom they have during the day they have to realise that there will be times when they do need to go in the cage. Try putting her in the cage, for short periods at a time to start with, give her a treat, but remain nearby and give her lots of praise. Make sure she has plenty of toys to play with, especially things she can chew up. If you leave the room call to her so that she knows where you are. Her cage has to be "sold" to her as an interesting place to be.
Many greys view their cage as their sanctuary and can get quite territorial about it, but the ideal situation is when they are equally happy to be in or out and don't view their cage as either a prison where they are forced to stay, or a refuge from the terrors of the outside world.
Jane
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Post by melinda on Jan 25, 2005 6:24:38 GMT -7
Thank you jane, I will try this.
Is it possible that she will break her wing or am I over reacting? It looks so bad right now.
She's my little baby and I dont want to end up having to take her into the vet.
I did call my vet about it and he suggested putting pleaxi glass on the outside of her cage, but I dont want her to feel like she's in prison.
The spacing between the bars are only half an inch and she still squeezes her her wing in between them.
I have other birds, and she's the only one who does this.
I just dont understand it.
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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2005 6:46:34 GMT -7
I haven't come across this before, a foot through the bars yes, but not a wing. I don't think she will break it but constantly pushing it through such a small space could lead to damage and then on to possible chewing or plucking.
It might be an idea to put the plexi glass on, just temporarily, to try to get her out of the habit.
Jane
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Post by melinda on Jan 27, 2005 6:25:58 GMT -7
ok this is just not working and she's flying all over the house,
What do you think about getting her wings clipped so she can only stay on her cage? I'm really iffy on getting them clipped as I was always against it, I always felt I'm taking away something mother nature meant to give her, but perhaps it's time to reconsider. I cant have her flying anywhere she wants, she's pooping everywhere and it's just unsanitary!
Question is,,,once I get them clipped will she remain on her cage? How much flight will she have? If any?
I feel terrible about this whole situation.
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Post by Jane on Jan 27, 2005 7:20:15 GMT -7
Wing clipping will mean she can't get lift but she will still be able to flutter around. She won't be able to fly around the house as such but she will be able to get off her cage and then flutter and climb to wherever she wants to be.
Have you tried house training her, there is some stuff about this in another thread.
Jane
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Post by melinda on Jan 27, 2005 13:48:08 GMT -7
Well I went ahead and had my vet clip her, I cant lie I was all teary eyed, all I could hear was "crunch crunch". Since weve been home, she tried to fly and of course fell. I felt terrible. Now she's on her cage and she cant fly (which is a good thing), but I feel awful  I used to be able to call for her and say "come come" and no matter what room i was in she'd find me, now she just keeps babbling... I guess I better not say those words anymore as I'm probably frustrating her even more. this needed to be done, but why do I feel so awful? I have no children of my own so she is the closest thing to a baby to me sigh! |
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Post by Jane on Jan 27, 2005 15:07:02 GMT -7
She should still be able to flutter and land safely, wing clipping only prevents them from gaining height and doing any real flying around. She will probably need practise to do this because she has been used to flying so it may be a bit of a shock to her that she can't, and she is most likely rather confused. She will get used to it.
Jane
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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 Jan 27, 2005 15:10:32 GMT -7
The feeling will pass, and it's safer that she can't fly into something.
Pete climbs down to the floor and walks to see us.
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