Thought I'd drop a post to introduce myself. I'm 35 and in Brisbane, Aus. I have two dogs, a cat, three chooks and a fish called Tony.
This is my baby, Hitch. He (I say he, but I don't really know yet.) is a year old on the 24th of last month. He was hand raised by the breeder and I visited him lots to help and bond with him early - then he came home just before he was weaned so that I could spoon feed him for the last week or so and bond with him some more.
I'd spent plenty of time with him roaming free and handled him a lot but he still seemed sort of 'standoffish' - I'd open his cage and let him climb to the top and coax him onto my hands with treats and things and he'd sit on my shoulder as I pottered about. But he was still kinda reluctant and didn't really seem to be enjoying company. It was kinda sad.
Then last month I got him a big open play gym and everything changed!
I take him out of his cage in the morning and he spends the whole day on or around it - he glides down to the floor sometimes and then climbs back up the wall to get back on it. I've been making a point of talking to him on it as I do my housework and I frequently walk past it, pick him up and talk to him and kiss him then put him back throughout the day. Being with him for so much time has made all the difference.
Now instead of running away from my hand when I open his cage, he runs to the door and reaches out for me. He comes towards me when he sees me walking past, wanting to be picked up. And when he's on the ground, from anywhere in the room I can bend down and hold out my finger and he'll come to it.
I'm just thrilled!
And so much in love with him.My family thinks I'm crazy and they don't understand.. So I came looking for other crazy bird people.
Howdy!