Socializing w/ the family

[CaptMicha]

I would really love to bring Daisy and Clover down stairs to hang out where everybody spends most of the time, but no one really wants them down here. Besides me of course.

Because they're loud and messy. Even with a towel and baby wipes, it never stays on the towel. The only thing I can think of is if I bought them a play stand but I'm broke and don't have the money right now. I'm a college student so duh. And even then, I highly doubt that they'll stay in one place. They'd be climbing down off of it and going potty everywhere.

I think I might try flight suits but not right now.

Any feedback? Ideas?

[michael]

Have everyone wear gray and white suits so it won't show up, that way they'll never know what hit them till its too late......I have a friend that uses kitty cat scratching posts for her conures, which her husband made. And she has a giant one for a macaw she bought from the pet store. She said they were fairly economical and that the only problem was finding carpet that wasn't treated with anything. Her birds seem to really like these posts, especially the macaw, plus, most of the time she just vacuums the dried bombs off which are few because most of them hit the floor below. I might make one for my lovebird Goofy but he's so spoiled now next I'll be buying him a car!

[Ducky]

I live in a community house as well with my lovie Widgie. My tactic is that he gets lots of love and me time, but for the most part being noisy to be noisy isn't tolerated. Course when he's feeling exceptionally happy or hyper there's nothing to be done, like last night when I was trying to watch House :rolleyes: , but what do you expect with a lovie? He doesn't come out if he's screaming, but I've been encouraging quieter, cuter chirps that he's been learning that sound sort of like the whistles me and my bf give him.

As for the poop... well they have a fast metabolism and they poop. Alot. But I've managed to cut down the number of bombs that I actually have to get up to clean off of me and other things with potty training. I'm not at my computer right now so I can't give you a good link but try googling parrot potty training. I keep his playstand or a garbage near me wherever I'm hanging out and "poop" him every 5-10 min, but he's actually gone 20-30 before when I'm not paying attention cause I'm on my computer or something. It's not foolproof by any means, but it especially helps when he's on people. The other thing is that he's gotten alot more consistent since I've started giving him a bite of millet when he does it right.

Last thing. I made a playstand relatively cheap myself, instead of buying one. I went to Walmart and got a wicker basket that I was sure was natural and some dowels. Then I went to my dad's and used some scrap 2x4's I knew were clean and within an afternoon I had managed something at least. I dyed it using concentrated kool-aid. Very good for a college budget. If you can afford a flight suit you should be able to get that. He's been getting better at using it as something other than a toilet even! :lol

Just a few ideas, though a lot of people don't seem to see the point in potty training, but then they don't mind cleaning up bird poop. That's just what's been working for me.

[wilkiecoco]

keep at it. when i first got kiwi, my husband absolutely did not want him with us while we were eating, watching tv, etc... well, kiwi wormed his way into my husbands heart, and now............eats with us at almost every meal, sits on HIS shoulder while watching tv or is on the computer. maybe with time they will accept daisy and clover as part of your family "Flock" good luck.