weird behavoir after vacation normal??

[Oscars Mom]

I left jewels with a sitter for a few days. She watchs my dog and is really good to the animals.Iwas psyched when she said she would watch jewels too.I dont know anyone else who would watch her and have never boarded her anywhere.I called and was glad when she said everything was fine.When I picked her up she told me she mostly just ate pancakes with alot of syrup.She also let jewels ride around on her sneakers and bite them constantly(she wrecked them ofcourse) I have spent so much time trying to teach jewels not to chew(she would do it 24/7) on everything clothes skin anything she can reach.Well now shes back and not eatingher bird food and just constantly chewing and then pecking meUGGGGGHHHHHH Itried to distract her then put her on the floor andwhen i picked her upshe was like pecking my neck and faceand wouldnt stop so I put her in the cage.She also was grabbing the skin on my face with her claws.She has NEVER done that before and Ive been really strict to not let her near my face period.Heather told me she thought it was cute.Has anyone elses bird personality changed alot after vacation??I finally just put her in the cage and covered it.(Something I never do in the daytime) Because she was screaming in a really loud nasty way.The sitter also let her out of the cage all day everyday even though i told her even ion the weekendsi take her in and out of the cage so her schedule isnt completely differant than the weekdays.I never thought id say this but I almost called heather and asked her if she wanted jewels to come get her. Id just had it with her acting like im her chew toyetc and dont know what Im going to do if she wont stop soon

[jenseits]

I think Jewels will settle down. She was allowed to get away with stuff with the sitter so now she's acting out a bit... I don't think it's that unusual. Just go back to your routine the way it was before and I believe she'll figure out that what's no longer acceptable. Good luck!

[Congobongo]

I agree, just go back to normal and she will adjust.

[SDavid]

I know that sometimes people don't have a choice but I believe that one should not leave their birds in the care just anyone who's willing to babysit. Those people may want to help out, and I appreciate the thought, but it's always best to leave your bird with a reputable business that boards animals. People can argue this point but I've already heard too many situations where the "babysitters" didn't respect the owners wishes or understand the needs of the animal in their care. This seems to be what happened to you, actually it sounds like the person you left your bird with was flat out inconsiderate and careless.

"When I picked her up she told me she mostly just ate pancakes with alot of syrup."

Are you kidding? Was this per the instructions you gave them? I doubt it. Did you leave your babysitter with detailed instructions as to how to care for Jewels?

Anyway, that's in the past now but for next time, I really would not board with just anyone who wants to take Jewles in.


"Well now shes back and not eating her bird food.."

So then what is she eating? If she ate her food before she'll eat it again, just give it to her. Don't worry if she's holding out for some griddle cakes with Aunt Jemima syrup....she'll get hungry soon enough and eat her food. My BTM began ignoring pellets for a while after boarding although I knew she ate them before. So, I gave her mostly pellets or nothing but pellets for a while to get her used to them again. It worked. It's up to us to control what our birds eat for their own health and we need to be more stubborn then they are in getting them to eat right. All of my birds love pellets and eat variety. On their own they'd be eating only the fattiest of seeds.

BTM's are voracious chewers (as you know). Forget teaching them not to chew just keep her away from the things you don't want her chewing on and she'll forget about them. She doesn't know that her toy is for chewing and a sneaker isn't, it's all fair game to her. You need to provide her with lots of things to chew on as a replacement and as often as you can. And, as you've seen, even then they tend to start chewing on whatever they can get their beaks on the moment you pick them up. Your buttons, clothes, fingers, sometimes they'll pinch your cheek, etc. Try having a toy in your hand when you handle her. Her natural curiosity will lead her attention toward the toy and she'll focus on that rather than your clothing or fingers, face, etc. If that's not working then just use a perch to transport her for now. My shoulder is my BTM's second home. I drive, garden, walk through the park, ride my bicycle, all with her right there. She's not bored so she doesn't look for things to chew (me) but if I'm at home and she does get restless on my shoulder I just put her on a playstand or back in her cage. Her occasional pinches or grabs (when she gets startled for instance or overly playfull) don't bother me but if you can't take it then don't let her onto your shoulder ever.

I know the screaming can be a bit much and I'm sorry to hear that the thought of giving Jewels up is on your mind. Jewels is used to being out of her cage now and is screaming to be out and about but hopefully she'll settle down.

[CaptainGentleGiant]

Maybe play some of your favorite music. That may distract Jewels and make not only her happy...but you too.

Your bird sitter, spoiled her rotten. I'd never take her back there.

Don't give up! You can do it...hang in there!

[MissV]

BTMs are so straaange too.

But I'm agreeding with the others. Just get her back to her normal routine. It hasn't been long enough that she's been conditioned to the spoiling of the sitter...she's likely just seeing if she can get away with this with you now. Don't let her! Good luck!


And also...ditto. Do not take your btm back to that lady. o.0 Good to the animals does not necessarily mean good FOR the animals. And a parrot is a lot smarter and more willful than a dog.

[silvercb67]

O'Lord! What a diet.... OUCH! What was that sitter thinking??? Ditto on the rest. It wasn't long enough so things should go back to normal soon. Best Wishes.

[LovelySydney]

Definitely agree 100% with the others - this sitter can no longer be able to watch your bird. If the person didn't take watching your bird seriously, I would not want my bird in her care any more. Yikes it kinda upsets me that people can be so ridiculous. Jewels will get back into her normal routine, Im sure she's just confused as to where you were and why she was eating what she was eating and nothing was familiar. Just continue on the same routine you have always had her on and she will fall back into what's familiar.

[Congobongo]

Well, I don't know. Maybe you just need to tell the sitter what NOT to let her get away with. And explain why. And if you do that and she still spoils the bird...then find someone else.

[Oscars Mom]

I defiately would not have her babysit jewels again and probley wont have her watch the dog either. I thought she was a responsible person who would take good care of my pets.I left her with very detailed instructions about care and feeding of jewels because I know she doesnt have birds including instructions of what not too do. Anyway jewels has mostly settled down.