Hello amazing parrotlet parents! I love this forum, I spent weeks here before getting a parrotlet, and I am so lucky you guys are so helpful - because you've answered questions I didn't even know to ask! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge on this board!
I have seen this answered in a book referral, but I can't seem to locate it.
What do you do when your parrotlet doesn't seem to want a treat? Right now, he is on a diet that he was on at the store - it has millet in it. He is only ten-twelve weeks old. So here's the deal:
-He is 10-12 weeks old and suggestions say to leave millet readily available for a month, so scarcity for him won't drive him to eating it
-He is eating food that has millet in it (but being moved into a pellet and fresh food mixture, again he's only here since Sunday.) so perhaps scarcity will never be an issue for him
-He seems absolutely content to hang on my chest or shoulder, but I know that's a no-no for now
-Afraid of hands
-Likes millet, kind of. Eats some and then eats his seeds. It's readily available, again, because he's a baaaby (he'll always be my baby.)
I tried feeding him hulled sunflower seeds but he won't have it, he's just really scared of my hands, and I'd like to s-l-o-w-l-y inform him that they're cool. He isn't as fearful when he sits on my arm. I would love to train him to step up, though, so he doesn't forget how cool he was with hands at the store (don't need to take him out of the cage if he's not ready, but he was cool at the store and fell asleep on my hand.)
Reasons I think he's ready for training, but am totally willing to wait if necessary:
He was cool at the store with fingers, hand riding, etc, while away from his cage.
He has fully explored his new cage, is active some of the day each day, eating and drinking regularly (I spy on him from a webcam while I'm at work )
He eats when I eat.
Chirps at me. I think it's sweet, doesn't seem like a mean chirp
No fear at all of my face or body, other than the occasional freeze, but will sometimes come closer to me when I'm talking to him, he's only afraid-afraid when the hands come in.
He lets me put my hand in there s-l-o-w-l-y but looks suspiciously at it and backs away if I get too close (or sometimes I have hand tremors. I can't imagine that helps.)
The pet store people did hand-chase him in his cage to get him out when people wanted to check him out, so I am sure some of this is from that. What is the best idea for training to step up when the guy doesn't seem to like treats? I am also more than happy to leave him be if that's what it sounds like he needs too. Just hoping to get some non-treat feedback and ideas!
I love him to pieces, how on earth did that happen so fast?! I saw him a week before I got him - and I didn't hold him but couldn't stop thinking about him! He's just precious! I am smitten!
I have seen this answered in a book referral, but I can't seem to locate it.
What do you do when your parrotlet doesn't seem to want a treat? Right now, he is on a diet that he was on at the store - it has millet in it. He is only ten-twelve weeks old. So here's the deal:
-He is 10-12 weeks old and suggestions say to leave millet readily available for a month, so scarcity for him won't drive him to eating it
-He is eating food that has millet in it (but being moved into a pellet and fresh food mixture, again he's only here since Sunday.) so perhaps scarcity will never be an issue for him
-He seems absolutely content to hang on my chest or shoulder, but I know that's a no-no for now
-Afraid of hands
-Likes millet, kind of. Eats some and then eats his seeds. It's readily available, again, because he's a baaaby (he'll always be my baby.)
I tried feeding him hulled sunflower seeds but he won't have it, he's just really scared of my hands, and I'd like to s-l-o-w-l-y inform him that they're cool. He isn't as fearful when he sits on my arm. I would love to train him to step up, though, so he doesn't forget how cool he was with hands at the store (don't need to take him out of the cage if he's not ready, but he was cool at the store and fell asleep on my hand.)
Reasons I think he's ready for training, but am totally willing to wait if necessary:
He was cool at the store with fingers, hand riding, etc, while away from his cage.
He has fully explored his new cage, is active some of the day each day, eating and drinking regularly (I spy on him from a webcam while I'm at work )
He eats when I eat.
Chirps at me. I think it's sweet, doesn't seem like a mean chirp
No fear at all of my face or body, other than the occasional freeze, but will sometimes come closer to me when I'm talking to him, he's only afraid-afraid when the hands come in.
He lets me put my hand in there s-l-o-w-l-y but looks suspiciously at it and backs away if I get too close (or sometimes I have hand tremors. I can't imagine that helps.)
The pet store people did hand-chase him in his cage to get him out when people wanted to check him out, so I am sure some of this is from that. What is the best idea for training to step up when the guy doesn't seem to like treats? I am also more than happy to leave him be if that's what it sounds like he needs too. Just hoping to get some non-treat feedback and ideas!
I love him to pieces, how on earth did that happen so fast?! I saw him a week before I got him - and I didn't hold him but couldn't stop thinking about him! He's just precious! I am smitten!