The Delightful First Bath

[GoldieNYC]

Happy to report that Goldie now knows the joys of a voluntary bath (with romaine lettuce and mirror as added bonuses).




I'd placed other saucers and containers in the cage periodically, but this bath-with-mirror for about US$2.50 did the trick.  She took to the water again and again.  I was delighted to see her apparent surprise and joy at adding this latest dimension to the day.

The lamps above provide some heat, but I'm hoping that water on a chilly day won't be a danger.

[ffiscool]

That's too cute! What a delight to see her pleasure. A good idea to have a mirror in a bath. Is it just on the base? I couldn't detect.

[birdguhl]

Another great one! She is so lovely going back again and again.

[GoldieNYC]

Oct 9, 2013 20:39:51 GMT ffiscool said:

That's too cute! What a delight to see her pleasure. A good idea to have a mirror in a bath. Is it just on the base? I couldn't detect.

www.petlanddiscounts.com/detail.asp?product_id=428796  It's embedded in the bottom, yes.  I don't know if that makes the deal possible, but she took to this as if long-awaited.  Glad she's even more hygienic and happy now.  Thanks. 

[stace]

She's too cute, isn't she.

Are you starting to hand tame her to step up on your finger?

[GoldieNYC]

Oct 9, 2013 21:23:28 GMT stace said:

She's too cute, isn't she.

Are you starting to hand tame her to step up on your finger?

Good question.
That's been a big theme, but I just don't know how old she is, nor what her earlier months taught her.  She's notably skittish about getting on my hand.  It's kind of a civil stand-off right now, but I do try now and then.

[ffiscool]

Hopefully with the bath etc, she is settling in more and more and will just want to interact with you. So it may be easier soon when you next try etc

[GoldieNYC]

One hopes, ffiscool. She seems to know I'm not a threat and somewhat of a friend, but the trust comes in layers, as you suspect.

[stace]

Oct 9, 2013 21:35:26 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Oct 9, 2013 21:23:28 GMT stace said:

She's too cute, isn't she.

Are you starting to hand tame her to step up on your finger?

Good question.
That's been a big theme, but I just don't know how old she is, nor what her earlier months taught her.  She's notably skittish about getting on my hand.  It's kind of a civil stand-off right now, but I do try now and then.

Sometimes it takes a while. And I mean months. But if do it for even 5 minutes twice a day, she'll eventually get it. Best time is when she's chilled out. Early afternoon is the usual chill-out time for budgies. 

It's a long series of failures that eventually leads to success. 

[ffiscool]

It takes different lengths if time for all of them to do things. time. You will get there i am sure

I never thought I would get Bailey to go on my finger. Now he will stand on one foot and doze. So trust isn't an issue. But other times I get bitten very hard. Clearly no logic with some.

[GoldieNYC]

Isn't that marvelous - the moments when it works? I took an early stand on biting - just enduring it and not flinching. Luckily, this little girl doesn't break the skin, and the bites are usually not much to react to. She can dig in, like she's trying to open a can, though, and that one must not attract too often.

[GoldieNYC]

Oct 9, 2013 21:50:36 GMT stace said:

Oct 9, 2013 21:35:26 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Good question.
That's been a big theme, but I just don't know how old she is, nor what her earlier months taught her.  She's notably skittish about getting on my hand.  It's kind of a civil stand-off right now, but I do try now and then.

Sometimes it takes a while. And I mean months. But if do it for even 5 minutes twice a day, she'll eventually get it. Best time is when she's chilled out. Early afternoon is the usual chill-out time for budgies. 

It's a long series of failures that eventually leads to success. 

I'll keep at it.  She has come a long way, despite everything, and does often eat from my hand.  I'm just glad I'm not the reflective Mylar patch she tries to murder every day.

[ffiscool]

I have tried ignoring it, but my neck and ears are too tender. It's just not how he is 70% of the time, when he just snuggles on my finger. I have been following tips Hezz gave me. I hope he does learn as I dread where he lands at times

Re feeding in your hand, try turning your hand over and have a bit if millet between your fingers so she is more on a finger than your palm.

[GoldieNYC]

Oct 9, 2013 23:00:26 GMT ffiscool said:

I have tried ignoring it, but my neck and ears are too tender. It's just not how he is 70% of the time, when he just snuggles on my finger. I have been following tips Hezz gave me. I hope he does learn as I dread where he lands at times

Re feeding in your hand, try turning your hand over and have a bit if millet between your fingers so she is more on a finger than your palm.

Sounds like a good technique.
  I'm just happy she's not a Macaw.

[Hezz]

Good to see Goldie enjoying her bath. I have found that the birds won't have a bath every time you put a dish out for them. Usually if you give them the opportunity several days in a row they may bath the first and second days but then will leave it. It may be different if you are in a dirty environment (I'm not in the middle of London or New York, and there is no pollution where I am), but just so you know, if Goldie doesn't have another bath for a while.

Something that a few of us use as bathing dishes are pie plates, they do seem to like these, and the lip around the edge makes for a great hop in and out platform. It is funny the things they take to - I also have a pottery saucer/plate that I made in one of my creative attempts, and this is the only thing I have seen one of mine bath in ......... mind you she is a "special child". Of course the pie plate is probably too big for inside the cage, but on top, or on a bench/table once Goldie feels more at home may work.