Training babies

[Hookturn]

I have a Jenday who is about 5 months old. I would love to start target and other training with him. The problem is he is not food motivated. I've tried every seed and nut you can think if and he just doesn't care.

I read this article by the parrot wizard which makes perfect sense given my birds current lack of food motivation. http://trainedparrot.com/Tough_Age/

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and when I can expect him to become more food motivated.

His current diet is 20% veggies and fruits, 20% rice and beans, 20% sprouted seeds and beans, and 20% treats-which mostly of a seed mix.

He does enjoy sunflower seeds and peanuts when placed in his cage but he's totally uninterested when I try to give them to him by hand. He is very tame thus far and steps up with just a "good bird" and a head scratch for a reward.

Just wondering if anyone had had a similar experience with birds not being motivated by any treats or foods at a young age and when I might expect that to change. Thanks!

[Michael]

Babies just want to play, watch, and learn by watching. They don't think the same way as adult birds do to take care of themselves by finding food. They are still getting fed by their parents or following them around and eating what they eat. They aren't working hard at this age and likewise this is why training is ineffective. This is when model and environmental learning are most important and then focus on training when the bird is older and interested in food. Just learning what to eat and how to eat are already important learning things and without this learning, they cannot later develop motivation for hard to get treats. Give the baby a lollipop, take away the lollipop, and then make it works its butt off for it when it's become addicted to it

[Hookturn]

That's pretty much what I figured and thanks for the reply. Any idea how old I should expect him to become more food motivated. I know every bird is different. I was just looking for a ballpark. Thanks again!

I have to say that I am blessed with him so far. He has a great personality and no biting.

[Pajarita]

Babies never bite but my adult jenday is the sweetest thing, never bites, never even nips, all he does is fly to my shoulder when I say his name and kiss me and kiss me and kiss me...