Please help....I need advice

[Poohsbirds97]

OK, to make it short. My TAG, Sami, has bonded to my husband. She just loves him to death. I am not able to hold her, those bites hurt really bad, and he is staying out of town during the week with his work. I have noticed with him gone during the week she hardly touches her food, even what I cook for her. I have always been the one to feed her and everything. When he comes home on weekends she loves all her food and pigs out.
So, my question is this............what can I feed her that would be a comfort food for her? I just wish there was something she couldn't turn away from regardless if he is here or not. I don't think she will ever let me hold her, she is a one person bird and her one person is not here as much. I know she is missing him. Please, any suggestions would surely help me.

[Lisa B]

try to see if you can have bonding time with her. maybe read her a book and show her pictures. My greys love to have books read to them.
She is going through a grieving process eachtime your husband leaves. she doesnt understand. talk to her alot and explain what is going on.
try a warm oatmeal.....something warm to remind her of baby days...just make sure its not hot to burn her.

you can get a buddy perch (a type of perch she cant bite you through) to carry her. I have one for my caique since he likes to bite me~!

[huntress]

OK this is going to sound REeally hokey and off the wall but Ive heard it really works. Hubby is going to think you have lost it BUT...have him (before he leaves) next time, take her to the calander on his hand and explain to her where he is going and why and show her how long and when he will be back and that she needs to eat while he is gone. LOL, I know it sounds weird but I have heard of it working time and again. Also agree with the story bonding with her while he is gone.

[xafsmom]

It does work! My Mom has to do that with Izzy. Explaining when she's coming back and marking the date. Then I show Izzy the calendar, point to the current date, remind him of the circled date and he settles right down!

[Poohsbirds97]

I will try all you have suggested. I am willing to try anything. I may have to bring the calender to her, she will not let me hold her but i can scritch her head through the bars.
Hubby will not think I have lost my mind, lol, thats his angel. She can do no wrong in his eyes. He does spend time with her as soon as he walks in the door and Sunday nights before he has to leave on Mondays. I just want her to be ok while he is away. It would be so awesome if she was to bond with me while he was gone. I would love that more than anything. (She was my very first birdie, he got her for me.) I love her regardless of who she has bonded with. Thanks for the advice I will surely try it all slowly.

[Poohsbirds97]

OK, I am gonna still try all you guys suggested, but I found something that worked for Sami and she ate all her food tonight. My husband called tonight and I was explaining to him all about how she was worring me not eating with him gone. He suggested I take the phone to her and put it on speaker phone, so I did. He talked to her and told her he would be home in just 2 days and she needed to eat all her good food. He told her he loved her and nighty night. I talked to him a bit and when we hung up I went to check on Sami, all her food was gone. I am so proud of her. She loves that man to death and he loves her. No way could I let either of them down.

[my-africangrey-echo]

Thats awesome are you going to show her the calender so she sees what 2 days are?

[Poohsbirds97]

I did.......I took it straight to her once I noticed she ate all her food. Now if he could just tell her to be super nice to me and let me hold her just a short while. LOL But I think he loves all her attention. JK, he has tried to get her to sit with me but she would rather bite me and boy can they bite. Especially when they bite with the quick lunge for skin.

[Lisa B]

my husband and I do the phone thing as well. They are much smarter then we give them credit for!

[xafsmom]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

my husband and I do the phone thing as well. They are much smarter then we give them credit for!

That's pretty scary since I attribute intelligence akin to Stephen Hawking to Izzy!