How do you get your parrots to use a water bottle?

[cml]

Like the title says, how do you get your parrots to use a water bottle?

I tried getting them to use bottles last summer, but they completely ignored them. I tried putting them in the same place, showing them what it does, and putting a tiny bit of sugar in it once (that got Stitch's attention, but as soon as I removed it and put regular water in, it was of zero interest to him).

I know some of you use bottles, so how did you get your parrots to drink from them?
Both our birds have had bowls to drink from since they were small.

[Michael]

I know some of you use bottles, so how did you get your parrots to drink from them?

Took the water dish away

[CheroneseGirl]

Baahahaa! (shaking my head)

I was able to teach one of two parrots to drink from a water bottle. The parrot who likes to be sprayed with a water bottle is the one who learned to drink from a regular water bottle.

During "shower time", I simply moved the spray bottle closer and closer while controlling the force of the water with the hand pump. Closer, closer, easing up on the pressure each time until finally touching the beak and lightly squirting water in her mouth.

Now, she seems to really enjoy drinking water from bottle and spray bottle and even lets me know when she wants to do so.

[marie83]

I think thats only 1 way to do it, pick a day u can keep a close eye on them to make sure they are drinking and remove the usual source of water.

[Grey_Moon]

Jacko knows how to target (verbal command 'touch') and will touch anything If I ask.

So pretty much I asked her to touch the spout end, she did, water came out so she knew where it was. Then, like Michael said, remove the usual source of water (watching the bird for dehydration of course!) and wait.

[marie83]

Cool, didn't think of that about the targeting etc.

[cml]

Thanks, I was guessing that I had to remove their usual water source, but I am worried about dehydration, even if I am at home. How will I know that they will drink enough, even if they know where the bottle is (or will they drink since they are smart enough and know where it is?)?

My concern is that it might seem to be going okay, but in reality, they wouldnt drink enough (and me not being there to notice).

What signs should you look for to see that they get enough fluids?

Also, thanks for the advice with targeting Grey_moon, I hadnt thought about that either .

[Michael]

Ok, do it my way which of course involves some training. Take EVERYTHING out. In the morning, feed pellets. Only when they are done eating, take them out and show water bottle by hand. Tap the ball a little so a droplet of water hangs off the tip of the bottle. They will be very thirsty after eating dry pellets and will try to lick that off. Hopefully in the process they will inadvertently tap the ball and learn to use it. Repeat at subsequent mealtimes until you are confident that in your hands they are using the bottle right. Remember, no water any other times. The first few times, after drinking from bottle, offer water in dish by hand just to be sure. If they don't drink vigorously, that was enough. After a few times of this, mount water bottle in cage AFTER pellet meal and watch bird go over and drink. After the first solo in the cage drink, you can leave it in and stop worrying about it. Always top the bottle to the very top. As they drink, air will appear in the top and you'll know they've been using it.

This isn't how I did it with any of my birds and I had major anxiety over doing it the typical way. Now in retrospect, as an avid parrot problem solver, that is exactly what I would do and I know it would work. When I travel with my birds, they only get water by hand twice a day from a dish after eating pellets. Sometimes even from a paper cup if need be. If you are too worried about twice a day, offer it 3 times. Nothing bad will happen from 2-3 waterings a day.

[cml]

Thanks for all the feedback!

[cml]

How much does a medium sized parrot drink a day (in ml)?

We are giving water bottles a second go atm.
Stitch has found and figured his out, Leroy hasnt. Poor little Leroy is doing all cute noises he knows to get attention to the fact that he's thirsty!

This time we decided to do a combo of the techniques given above, we have removed their water source, let them eat pellets, then added the water bottle. We then continued to show it to them by targeting them towards it. They then were rewarded on touching it.

At this point, Stitch immediatly got it, and commenced drinking from it for a while. Leroy on the other hand didnt get it, and is getting a bit frustrated atm. Ive tried showing him what it does, but so far, no good.