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Post by sweetpea on Jul 15, 2013 11:12:21 GMT
Hello all. I wonder if anyone has advice on stick training. Occasionally, my boys "forget" to go back home to their cage of a night & I then find it difficult to get them back in their cage.
Though Phineas is not scared of my hands, he gets very grumpy when sleepy & will just peck at me to stay away. Even when I get him on my hand or a perch he just jumps off again. Thomas doesn't like my hands anyway.
Any tips or tricks?
Many thanks.
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Post by Hezz on Jul 16, 2013 0:41:42 GMT
If you have done step up training with your finger then it's just an extension of this really. I have always done finger training with the "step-up" command and used the stick when they are out of reach.  No special training needed. If P and T are finger trained you shouldn't have any problem getting them onto a stick. Present them with the stick, where you would hold you finger and give whatever command you give for stepping onto your finger. If they aren't then I would start with finger training first using the step-up command as you have more control with your push against their tums with your finger - you know how hard you are pushing them, whereas with a stick you are more removed from what the birds are experiencing. Getting them to stay on the stick is probably the hard part - I find mine are happy to step up, but not always so keen to stay there ...... so if they are happy on your shoulder or head, you may be able to transfer them to you. A stick is a bit more handy though, as you can put the end of the stick into the cage and offload a budgie or two .... not so easy with a head!!  |
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Post by sweetpea on Jul 16, 2013 10:20:09 GMT
.... not so easy with a head!! lol!!!! Thanks Hezz. T isn't trained at all & doesn't like my hand near him. Unfortunately during quarantine he was in a big cage so training was pretty useless as he'd just go to the other side of the cage.  P, strangely, prefers my open palm than my finger but I imagine I could finger train him with a little effort. They are just sooo wilful! |
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Post by Hezz on Jul 17, 2013 0:57:38 GMT
They certainly are a wilful lot, but I think that is part of their charm. If Thomas isn't going to take to your hand, then try the stick - he may feel more comfortable that way, and really, that is the main thing. |
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May 21, 2013 17:54:51 GMT
toffee
Normal Violet
Daley's Mum
Posts: 107 
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Post by toffee on Jul 21, 2013 18:40:23 GMT
I use a stick. I had trouble getting Daley in his cage for a while - he would jump onto the stick but then fly off when I got him near the cage. Now I give him a few chances to do it and then I try to get him flying so he gets tired, after that he goes in with no trouble. I think it's just a process of showing them that they won't win.
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Post by nat on Jul 21, 2013 21:34:44 GMT
Mine are pretty much all wild now being in an aviary, but all are trained to get on a long perch made from wire covered with rope as I leave the aviary door open for whoever feels the need for a major fly around.
For some reason all my birds over the years have favoured this kind of perch to be transpoted on.
It was origionaly one of those bendy rope spirals, but I straightened it up into a double perch about 2 ft long.
Now I only have to pick up the rope perch and most will just go back in anyway. I think they feel more stable sitting on the rope at first and also the extra length means that even the most untame don't have to worry about being near hands.
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No special training needed. If P and T are finger trained you shouldn't have any problem getting them onto a stick. Present them with the stick, where you would hold you finger and give whatever command you give for stepping onto your finger. If they aren't then I would start with finger training first using the step-up command as you have more control with your push against their tums with your finger - you know how hard you are pushing them, whereas with a stick you are more removed from what the birds are experiencing. Getting them to stay on the stick is probably the hard part - I find mine are happy to step up, but not always so keen to stay there ...... so if they are happy on your shoulder or head, you may be able to transfer them to you. A stick is a bit more handy though, as you can put the end of the stick into the cage and offload a budgie or two .... not so easy with a head!! 
