Afraid of some new stuff but not others

[Missi]

A few weeks ago, it got a bit chilly here in Florida and Jasmine wasn't perching on her heated perch so I purchased her a Happy Hut and a Cozy Corner. She was terrified of both. I figured it was because they are made of fake fur so I took them out of her cage.
Yesterday I got her a pink concrete perch because her nails are getting a bit long and her beak is getting sharp. She wasn't afraid of it at the store when I held it up to her and she stepped right up on it. HOWEVER, when I brought it home, she is terrified of it. In the cage and out side of it.
Last weekend I got her a big soft wood toy but she wasn't afraid of it at all and instantly started chewing on it. Same with all of her toys.

Why does she choose to be afraid of the Corner, Hut, and perch but not the new toys?

[jimpierce7]

I don't think there is rhyme or reason sometimes as to what they are afraid of. Sophie had an issue with a wood perch I wanted to put in her cage. But it was only while she was in the cage. When I had her out playing and put the perch in she was ok with it. Go figure.

[DJspets]

Missi when I buy a new toy or perch for the greys they have to see me playing and talking to it and then they get interested in it but nothing goes in their cages till they see me with it then it's ok. I know it probably looks silly to you and I but it works.

Donna

[Tullysmom]

I'm sorry Donna, but that just cracked me up thinking of you talking to the bird toys! What do you say to them?

[Buteo]

Ya just can never tell what any animal might find unnerving.
Even if they are originally leery of it, a slight modification to the item could change the bird's mind.

We got this little red & yellow whiffle ball with a jingle inside it as a loose toy for Gracie.
She absolutely HATED it.
If it was ever brought out & rolled anywhere near her, she would run or try to fly away, squawking in alarm.
At first I thought it was the rattling that had her freakin out.
After just watching her for a few mins, I wondered if it could be the loose rolling action, rather than the noise that bothered her.
I took a short piece of thin cotton rope, fed it through 2 of the holes and strung it on the outside of her cage.
Now she loves it & plays with it many times a day - beakin, bitin & batterin it. She enjoys pushing or dropping it over the edge of the cage, then pulling it back up and biting it repeatedly... as though punishing it for try to escape her...

So give your bird some time to become accustomed to it's presence in her cage. If she still avoids it, then maybe try putting something on that perch that likes- a favorite toy or something shreddible.

I feel a rough perch (sanding or concrete) is an important addition to the pet bird's environment. They should not be set up in the cage in a location where the bird would be likely to use them the majority of the time, Instead they should be placed where the bird can have access to them at meal time. We have a concrete perch in Grace's cage between her pellet & water dishes so she has a good surface for cleaning her beak. Yes, she uses whatever she's close to clean her face, but she does use her concrete perch to scrape off the stuff that may have dried on.

[Missi]

Originally Posted by DJspets

Missi when I buy a new toy or perch for the greys they have to see me playing and talking to it and then they get interested in it but nothing goes in their cages till they see me with it then it's ok. I know it probably looks silly to you and I but it works.

Donna

Believe it or not, I held her on one hand and the perch in the other. I was telling her good bird and talking and kissing and "rubbing" my face on the perch...so I tried that....and posting that I did that makes me look really nutty, but I was literally trying everything! Finally I just attached it in part of the cage where she rarely goes. She'll get used to it eventually, I suppose!

[Vega]

When I first got Gypsy my vet reccomended walking around with her touching things she was unfamiliar with. He said in the wild their parents show them which things are "safe"to touch/taste. Basically he said to mimick that by holding gypsy while i walk around the room familiarizing her with various objects...pictures on the wall, the bed, the fan, new toys, etc.

Harvey is afraid of all new things. I usually hold them up to him while he's in his cage. Then set them about 2-3 ft away so her gets used to seeing them (for a day or so). Then they are moved to the outside of his cage...usually they sit in the seed catcher. THen the final move inside of his cage.

ANother thing that works is to put in in GYpsy's cage for a couple weeks and when she gets bored with it I'lll move it into Harvey's cage.

As to why she was ok with the perch in the store and not at home...I'm clueless!

[Missi]

Originally Posted by Buteo

Ya just can never tell what any animal might find unnerving.
Even if they are originally leery of it, a slight modification to the item could change the bird's mind.

We got this little red & yellow whiffle ball with a jingle inside it as a loose toy for Gracie.
She absolutely HATED it.
If it was ever brought out & rolled anywhere near her, she would run or try to fly away, squawking in alarm.
At first I thought it was the rattling that had her freakin out.
After just watching her for a few mins, I wondered if it could be the loose rolling action, rather than the noise that bothered her.
I took a short piece of thin cotton rope, fed it through 2 of the holes and strung it on the outside of her cage.
Now she loves it & plays with it many times a day - beakin, bitin & batterin it. She enjoys pushing or dropping it over the edge of the cage, then pulling it back up and biting it repeatedly... as though punishing it for try to escape her...

So give your bird some time to become accustomed to it's presence in her cage. If she still avoids it, then maybe try putting something on that perch that likes- a favorite toy or something shreddible.

I feel a rough perch (sanding or concrete) is an important addition to the pet bird's environment. They should not be set up in the cage in a location where the bird would be likely to use them the majority of the time, Instead they should be placed where the bird can have access to them at meal time. We have a concrete perch in Grace's cage between her pellet & water dishes so she has a good surface for cleaning her beak. Yes, she uses whatever she's close to clean her face, but she does use her concrete perch to scrape off the stuff that may have dried on.

What a story She has a sandy perch that she readily accepted but the sand has become dull.

[DJspets]

Vickie I know it sounds silly but I kiss the toy, rub it on my face and sure enough he is so curious with what i'm doing we wants in on the action.

Donna

[catschair]

count your blessings...one of my budgies decided to eat her happy hut (think she may have been just the tiniest bit hormonal)