Starting to train baby conure

[issy]

Hi,

I just wanted to ask a few questions on how I should I go about starting to train/ keep tame this little sun conure.

He/she is slowly getting used to target training, but is not very consistent. Some days he will not go near the target stick and other days he is happy to play "touch" for a long while.

I was also wondering how to go about keeping him/her hand tame. There are no problems at the moment but I thought it would be better to know what the wrong things to do now are and prevent future problems. Also how to avoid doing things that will lead to behavior and biting problems. This is my first hand-tame bird and i'm not used to them being to touchy and cuddly

So yeah, does the hand-tameness stick around? Because i've heard of some hand-tame birds turning into little biting monsters.

I was also wondering if clipping his other wing will help with landing? because it scares me to death when he drops to the ground. Can't wait until they grow back, have ordered the aviator harness and we will have fun with the flight training when they grow out.

Should get getting him/her sexed soon, so I can finally pick out a name and stop calling it "it"

Also wanted to ask other sun conure owners how to interpret their body language. So far I have no idea how to read this little ones. He/ she makes these cute little noises that sound like it's bothered, but then continues to cuddle and want scratches.

thanks,
issy

[Michael]

How old?

Hand tameness comes and goes with time but the only way to guarantee preserving it is through training. Still, the bird will test boundaries and it is important not to give in during those times and then things go back to normal.

[issy]

15 weeks old.

I'm planning on starting trick training with it when he gets used to targeting, so should I add in some hand touch training as well?

[Michael]

15 is still pretty young. It seems most parrots gotta get to at least 6 months old before they have any potential for serious training. Before then just take it easy and work with them on taming and getting used to their surroundings. Don't use food management. If they want to learn something for a treat, go for it, but if not it's not a big deal. They have tons of potential ahead of them.

[issy]

Sorry for the late reply.

I won't be using food management and since he is having fun with the target training and tricks, I will continue them slowly

Should I limit the time I spend cuddling/playing with him? It's only when he comes to me and he does spend quality time in his cage playing and eating.

thanks,
issy

[Andromeda]

Should I limit the time I spend cuddling/playing with him? It's only when he comes to me and he does spend quality time in his cage playing and eating.

You don't want your bird to become over-dependent on human interaction for entertainment but as birds are flock animals it's nice to give them as much "flock" time as you can per day.

Even though my husband and I are home most days, I leave my birds in their cage for an hour or two before I let them out in the morning. I want them to be independent enough to be able to entertain themselves when they are alone, and I want them to understand that sometimes they do have to spend time in their cage. After a couple of hours I let them out and they are out of their cages for the rest of the day.

As long as he spends some time in his cage playing and eating I don't see why you should limit your time with him.