Peanut is being difficult :-)

[jupiter11600]

I am new to parrotlets and peanut took to me fairly well right away. I think it's because I didn't back down when she tried to bite me.... Things were going pretty good but now she will sit on my neck and preen me which moves onto rather hard biting of my skin, Not too pleasant! since this she is also becoming a turd to catch, she will run from my hand now rather then staying there to step up. What's going on??? Is she trying to say HEY I'M BOSS! or something else? Some history on her, I'm her 3rd home not including her breeder in her whole 1 year. Her first owners had her in a cage way to big and she always got out and was chased and screamed at by the kids when she did that. Her second home she was a brat and bit them constantly and now I have had her for about 2 weeks. She is a Pacific Parrotlet. Thanks! Roshelle

[Pado]

Hi Roshelle - welcome to both you and Peanut - Sounds like Peanut has had a difficult start in her life with many family changes. Hopefully yours is her last :) and she can settle in and start to feel like she is home for good.

Just be patient with her - read as much as you can on this site and others - Give her plenty of time to settle in and like I said just be patient, patient, patient -

Parrotlets are very opinioned and headstrong but with time and a lot of patience on your part I'm sure she will come around. This type of transition in some cases can take up to a year so don't become discouraged. Especially with Peanut being bounced around from home to home and chased and screamed at by kids she will take a while to calm down. But it sounds like you are off to a great start with her. She is very lucky you took her in.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix with a Parrotlet :D

[musicjan]

I think everything Pado said is right on target. In addition, let me add that my Bitsy behaves SOOOO much better when he is well rested. For Bitsy (and lots of other parrotlets) that means 12 -14 hours of sleep - cage covered - in a QUIET place - no tv or other noise. We move Bitz to a sleep cage in another room. We learned this the hard way - by having him preen us,then suddenly bite for no good reason - even after he was well trained. Hope this is helpful.

jan

[Sally]

She was in a cage too BIG? They love big cages. You mean the bar spacing was too big? They love large, wide cages with lots of great rope perches and other perches, big and small toys, swings, etc.

Yes, they need 12 hours of quiet sleep. The food is important too. They need to be happy with the cage and toys. Sometimes, they get a bit feisty, but if you stay calm, they will be more calm.

You have not had her but two weeks. Takes months to get a close bond with them, especially since your bird has been through different homes. Sing, talk quietly and stay positive and patient. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/cagebywindowPICT0615.jpg

[AndreaFahy]

I am new to parrotlets ..... Her first owners had her in a cage way to big and she always got out and was chased and screamed at by the kids when she did that.

Roshelle,

I have not read all replies yet. But first of all welcome to the world of parrotlets.

Second of all, how could any cage be too large??? Even in a 20 ft. by 12 ft. room I still wish I could provide MORE room for my parrotlets.

What size was the cage and what do you have her in now?

Third - never never never chase! This will make training more difficult. Parrotlets want to think they are in charge, this takes manipulating and planning ahead on your part. This will develop trust and respect and have her WANTING to come to you. You must never force anything on a parrot whose trust you want to earn.

[AndreaFahy]

PS - check out the clicker training threads on The bird school. Parrotlets LOVE this and learn so quickly

[Pado]

I assumed when Roshelle said the cage was too big she was referring to the bar spacing because she mentioned the bird was always getting out - I assumed it was squeezing out between the bars.

[AndreaFahy]

Well I sure hope something good has happened since she posted a few days ago.

[jupiter11600]

Sorry it didn't say I had more replies after the first one :-)

The bars were to big and she would squeeze between them. She's got sort of a crooked wing to show for it now, But it dosen't effect her at all.

She is a bit crabby today but she did get woke up a small amount last night so maybe that is it...

With bell toys she likes to chatter and smack them and will go after you if you touch and make them ring, Is this that she dosen't like it or likes it too much? She seems to ring her bell next to one of her perches for room service!!

[Pado]

I figured thats all it was - I'm glad you figured out the appropriate bar spacing - Hopefully she didn't fracture her wing squeezing through that cage and it healed incorrectly :eek: but if thats the case I don't believe there is anything a vet can do once its healed - assuming its an old "crooked wing" - Its a good thing she's fine with it ;)

I don't think anyone has figured out why they react to bells like they do - I can't figure out if its love or hate :p - My male will come flying immediately from wherever he is in the room to his play-stand when I ring his bell - both birds go nuts - but you better move your hand away from that bell real quick when my boy gets there :D

I don't keep bells in their cage now for fear they'll get all riled up and take it out on each other :eek:

[Sally]

Chipper is funny with bells. There are two small swings with a bell that she "boxes." All other bells are treated very well! ha. Each gets diff. treatment also. Very cute. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/ring500.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/closegym.jpg

[jupiter11600]

Well we are a even more bitey bird this morning :-) is 6 to about 6 good hours to put her to bed?

[ArtS]

Warning: This post is a little off topic.

Sally,

I agree with you about parrotlets being best served by large cages but I must tell you that the picture you posted earlier in this thread reminds me of those 'Where's Waldo" cartoons :D :D .

Regards,

Art S.