Ideas on teaching Secret to play

[Kelly]

I am thinking that since Secret had no toys for lord knows how long hat she doesn't know what they are or shat to do with them. There are 3 in her cage and she doesn't touch them. I introduced them slowly, next to her at first and one by one put them inside. She will climb right over them. I play with them and laugh and she watches for a bit then just wants to be on my arm.
I went to the pet store yesterday and got a bunch of small foot toys. All different shapes and colors and textures. She does not seem to like red. I had put a towel down on the bathroom floor and put the small ones down and let her walk around while I played with them. Again she watches and only picked up one once. That one I put in the bottom of her cage 4 slats from the door and it was still there when I came home from work the other night so she didn't touch it.
I wish that I knew how old she was but even the older birds play right?
I know that for at least 3-4 years she was in that dark room with none. It really breaks my heart but seeing her happy now is the best gift ever to both of us!
I would like for her to learn independent play so that she doesn't just wait for me all day.
I don't want her to be bored!
I am going to try and get a video f her doing her "funny" today as well.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks everybody!

[BuffaloParrot]

She probably didn't have any toys to play with and right now doesn't know what to think of them.  Our Ring Necks were similar.  Just bye a bunch of different types of toys like you are and keep rotating them and keep doing what you are.  In time she will start to curious and then will start to play with them.  With her history many things are going to take time.  You are doing great and all the right things so not to worry O0

[Jadesmom]

Jade was so deprived when I got her in late Oct. She didn't have a clue either. Its just lately she will play with one, and only one toy in her cage. She has plenty....Buddy isn't much of a player either. But, quakers are like that. Zon's are different. I would say just keep trying, thats all you can do.

[sophiemae]

It sounds like you are on the right track in encouraging her to play. It's just going to take some time, eventually she should come around and start playing with toys little by little. It's kinda like anyone who has been isolated from what we think of the norm, it takes some time to wrap the concept of something that should be when all you know is what was. You're doing a great job with her, she knows that and loves you all the more for it  O0

[looniebirds]

You need to find something that would be close to a parrot's heart, you know, something she could rip to shreds or a foraging toy with goodies inside! ;)

[Kelly]

Thanks for the ideas. I bought a foraging toy, the clear ones that go on the side of the cage. I had her on the playtop this afternoon and put nuts in it, they go straight to her heart. I tore pieces and got a couple out then left it up to her, she grabbed one really fast then went back up to eat it. She looked at it a few times after but didn't go near it again.
The one foot toy that she picked up is a leather knot with a blue plastic chain and a ball on it. She wouldn't pick it up today though. I also got finger traps, vine twists, a pink foraging toy with popsicle sticks and other goodies in it, the weaver style thingy, a puzzle box, a bell, a pink saucer with a ball in the middle, and a few .99 other foot toys. Time will tell I suppose. She still doesn't play with the ones in her cage but she isn't scared of them at least. Patience, patience.

[Ditty]

Yeah I hear ya.  Zuri was the same way.  I tried the corn cob and block toy and she went nuts, she decided she liked the bell and the blocks too after all the corn was gone.  Then she did start to play a bit.  She still doesn't play like Yoshi but she is getting better.

[thetim53]

Asha takes time to warm up to new toys but she has never had anything to do with a foot toy. She just totally ignores them. She loves to climb and grab food with her feet, but not toys.