My GCC HATES her cage

[HeidiGCC]

Heidi hates her cage. It's very large it's got toys I know fit her tastes and wonderful varied perches. It has a happy hut because she loves going inside things. However, she hates it. She flips out when she goes in it. She crawls all around and tries to get out. She cannot relax. She also will flip on her back with her legs in a weird position and have "seizure-like convulsions" she is NOT having a seizure because I took her to the vet. I noticed she will stop if I come over and look at her so I feel she is doing it for attention. How can I get her to like her cage. My cockatiel always LOVED his cage and loved going inside. He'd often fly there on his own. How can I make her like it? I'm doing everything to try and get her used to it.

[Sashagirl]

Did you recently change her cage to this new cage and was it a big difference?

[HeidiGCC]

This is from the day I brought her home

[rockybird]

It may not be that she doesnt like the cage persay but that she does not like being IN her cage and would rather be with you. Sometimes getting my gcc in the cage is almost an impossible task. He performs every acrobatic maneuver and contortion to avoid being put through the cage doorway. He will splay his legs out and grap the door, try to run up my arm, curl up, etc. When he had a smaller cage, he figured out how to open the doors and get out. If she is a new bird, I would give her time to get used to the new environment. Also, it may take time for her to realize that you will never leave her for good when you put her in the cage. Both my birds used to cry and whine terribly when I put them in the cage. I am sure they thought I was never coming back.

BTW her little seizure-act is too funny! What a smart bird. Hopefully, the act is not an aversion to the cage, as I am sure you set it up nicely for her. I think it may be a fear of being left alone, and also wanting to be out of the cage with you having fun. But I could be wrong.

[HeidiGCC]

I think you are right. She is a real people bird and doesn't like not being part of the action. Sometimes I just want her in her cage during the day while I am doing some work because she can be distracting. That's not to say the bird isn't out with me the vast MAJORITY of the day. Even one hour in her cage would be nice. However, the second she goes in there she flips out and starts having "seizures" - of course I am concerned and I come over and look at her and she gets up and looks at me like "okay, so are you going to take me out now?" It's annoying!!! She's getting better than the day I brought her home, but it's still an issue and the seizure thing is happening more and more.

[owlwoman]

This sounds like a fear response to me.

If she has an old cage she likes, get her out of the Monster and into her comfy cage. Then slowly move her old cage to the new one until they are touching. Leave both doors open, with treats in the new cage and give her time to get interested in it. You may have to disguise it as not the old Moster cage, with fresh cut branches from a non- poisoned tree.

Email me manualoha2002@yahoo.com for more help. Bobbie