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Non-toy playing birds?

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Babyluv
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« on: April 27, 2012, 08:46:35 pm »

Not sure what to do about this but neither of my gcc's seem to want to play with toys. I've gotten them tons of different types, sizes, shapes, materials etc but nothing seems to spark any interests. They don't chew on, hang on, play with anything that I've seen. Gwen will beat up bells sometimes but usually it's not safe to mess with her when she's doing that cause she'll actually bite and act angry. Is this not playing with toys normal? Is there something I need to try? They seem pretty happy and don't have bad habits besides being beggars for food so I'm not sure if this is a problem. I would just like for them to have fun. Any ideas?
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« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2012, 05:18:53 am »

Hmmm, I really can't help you too much with suggestions. All the parrots I've ever had except one has relished playing with toys. The more toys the more they enjoyed them.

The one parrot I had that never played with anything was a Mexican Red Head Amazon, I think they call them Green Wings also. This was one I had back in the mid '90s and it didn't act like a typical Amazon by any means, nothing like the orange wing Amazon I also had. It was never vocal with screams, never talked, never played with anything & never bonded with me. I suspect it was a wild caught, ex breeder bird that was quite old, possibly even a smuggled parrot. A very unassuming bird for an Amazon.  dknow

Anyway, I know that doesn't help you out. All my fiddies including the budgies love to play with something. Sorry I can't help ya'.  sadboy3  :twirl:
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« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2012, 07:03:17 am »

You may have to teach them to play. Both Ollie and Skittles came to me not knowing how to play. After 19 months with me, Ollie has been playing more and more lately. Neither bird had toys in their former homes so they really have no idea what to do with them. Start by playing with it while they watch. fumble with it, bump it, (even mouth it  ashamed ) and make small happy noises while you do it. As they come over to find out what you are doing (and this could take anywhere from a few mins to a few months, depending on them) as soon as they so much as touch it shower them with praise.  As the they progress, shower them with praise anytime you see them even touching it. It'll take time, but eventually they'll get to realize its self-rewarding behavior. I still occasionally praise skittles when i see him playing on his own. As far as the bell-killing? all mine will vent frustrations that way. I learned in the book, Parrot Problem Solver, that parrots have natural aggressions and they need an outlet for it. Killing a toy is a great way for them to vent. When i got skittles he had lots of pent up frustrations, he would run around his cage dragging his beak along the top bars. He rarely does that now, when he gets frustrated or has that natural aggression that nature gave him, he will beat up a toy for a bit and yell at it.
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« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2012, 07:19:56 am »

I have the same problem with Laurie, of course, she has only been with me for a month. I bought a ladder for her and she does seem to like climbing on it - something different than just a perch. I bought several toys for her, but she shows little interest. Sometimes she will ring a bell, but I don't know if she is playing, or just pushing it out of her way as it is usually just one little nudge, and done. She does like chewing on the leather straps of one toy, but doesn't touch the beads.  confused

I started hiding food in her toys, and she will forage around in the toys for the food. At least it gives her something to do.
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« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2012, 07:26:45 am »

Conures love sticks, they like to weave , so try raffia, popsicle sticks, or even pickup stick.

Tammy, good for you! thumb A bird that has a job is less likely to pick/pluck and is happier overall. Really excellent job! hugu
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« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2012, 12:46:08 pm »

Gwennie, the younger one with the messed up feet, will play with a ball and chew on stuff occasionally. She's also the one who kills bells, but generally they prefer roaming around the house poking beaks into anything that doesn't move. Baby, the older one, seems to prefer to just sit on my shoulder with me no matter what I'm doing. I've rotated toys and brought in new ones but I'll try playing with them myself and see what they do. I need to get some more balls cause gwen likes em  but I can't seem to find any that won't break too easy and end up with feet stuck in em. anyone know where to find bird balls? They love to take baths together in the kitchen sink and preen each other and enjoy hunting down treats hidden in odd places but I'd like to get em into playing more. Seems odd that after 3 years Baby still doesn't play much.

Thanks for the ideas all, off to work on it :)
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« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2012, 02:28:53 pm »

Try mini wiffle balls, you can stuff then with treats, or leave them plain.
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« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2012, 04:23:53 pm »

That would work for her, any idea where to find mini ones? I have bigger ones that I put stuff in but she would have trouble throwing em around lol wink1
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« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2012, 04:31:18 pm »

for marley i get the little kitty ones, without catnip. i've heard its toxic to birds, but not sure on that one. You can order them from the various pet supply stores online, but probably find 'em cheaper in the local dollar stores, walmart, etc.
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« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2012, 06:44:56 pm »

Some other inexpensive toys our guys like are coffee filters, either just stuffed into the bars or a bunch tied with a zip tie, same thing with straws, paper plates, the little plastic cups from a fruit or pudding cup.  You could also try a small/tiny brown paper bag and fill it with some goodies for a foraging treat/game.  Squigg doesn't play too much but does love popcicle sticks or anything like raffia or straw.
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« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2012, 08:15:00 pm »

I've tried most of those, they sorta like straws but they seem to loose interest pretty quick. Been playing today and got em to play with a couple of old toys I'd put away. Not too much interest but they're at lease hanging upside down from things lol
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« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2012, 02:20:20 pm »

That would work for her, any idea where to find mini ones? I have bigger ones that I put stuff in but she would have trouble throwing em around lol wink1

i have seen the small ones in the dollar store.  you can put a link on them so they will stay in one place, you don't have to let them be foot toys.  my GCC loves the vine balls and pinata like toys the best, he likes to chew on them, at first all he would play with was one or two things, then more and more.  how long have you had the bird?
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« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2012, 02:31:47 pm »

Gwennie will play some, by the time she came to the store id already loaded up the bird habitats there with lots of toys with loreks help. So she started out with toys. I've had her about a year now. Baby is the one who doesn't play. He seems more than happy to just sit on my shoulder or hang off my clothes. Id think he'd be happier ifhed play more though. I've had him about 3 years now. Ill check the dollar store and see if they have any. Thanks!
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Baby - Green Cheek Conure
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Ozzy - Senegal Parrot
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