by Pajarita » Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:29 am
Michael has vast more experience in training than me [I don't do any formal training with my birds, I just teach them 'manners' as we go... they might not do tricks but they are VERY obedient and never bite] and I am sure that the alternative he gave you works. But it seems to me that you believe that a canary wing will behave the same way the companion species that Michael has and that cannot be further from the truth.
Canary wings are aviary birds while Michael's 'stars' are poicephalus which are highly trainable species. Aviary birds don't do well on their own once they reach sexual maturity when they revert to their 'natural' disposition of aviary bird. Companion species are the ones that will remain trained for the duration [if you do it the right way] and will never lose the deep bond with their human [as long as they are treated well, of course!]. Aviary species will need the companionship of another bird of their own species, preferably of the opposite gender, when they are adults. They are 'birdy' birds, not really 'human pet' birds. It's not that they won't love their human, stop enjoying their company, refuse to take treats from them, bite them or anything like that, they won't! They will be affectionate to the human but they will also KNOW they are birds and will need other birds to be really happy. Humans are not enough for them and the lack of other birds to flock with makes them anxious.
Another thing is that you might have started her training way too young and she is now rebelling against it. This is a common mistake that first time owners make with their birds... they misread a baby's natural compliance for obedience and start training before they are old enough for it (you don't send a toddler to high school] and, by the time the bird passes puberty and get the adult feeling of self-assuredness, it backfires.
As to caging a bird having any beneficial effect on their relationship with their human... well, let's just say that I seriously doubt it! How could caging an animal make it love you?
Personally, if I were you, I would get my little hen a mate and give them a large flight cage.