ivy and i snuggled on the couch tonight and watched a few episodes of mythbusters. she REALLY likes to cuddle. she likes to hold my hand in her mouth and sometimes in her foot. though, later on, she started making the "begging" motion on my finger...

i made some of the harrisons formula, which wasn't as hard as i anticipated. it smells JUST like the pellets. i fed her next to the sink and made a LOVELY mess. she got some down, went at it right away, bobbing her head like crazy. i got a few spoonfuls in her before bedtime.

she still hasn't been climbing down to her bowls, from what i have seen. i might take down her higher perches until i see her go for the bowls. it's really important for when there is no one in the house for a few hours, you know? any tips here? i've tried showing her where the bowls are, but she either doesn't seem to follow or doesn't care. the only things i have been able to feed her have been from my hand or from a bowl in my hand.

her hanging gym is on the way, i can't wait for that to get here. i know it will take her some time to get used to it, but i know she will love it. she LOVES to flap and fly up high. but i've been trying to keep her off the top of her cage, because i know that can cause cage aggression issues. is this right for me to do? i've been doing my best to keep her off my shoulder too, she is constantly trying to go up there. the breeder must have let her up on his shoulder constantly.

PHEW, these are some long days. at least i work nights. tomorrow is my first night back since ivy came home. my husband is being a great daddy to ivy though, so i am not worried. well, i constantly worry about her, but you know what i mean.

Awwwww, sounds to me like Ivy is doing just fine. She's one lucky little girl to have such a great Mom and Dad.

Hug's
Judy

I think taking down her higher perches is a good idea. This way she'll be sitting at the level of the food bowls.

Ollie and Dakota both play on top of their cages, and we've never had any issues with cage aggression. The only problem is the poop that may land on toys and in food dishes, so I don't let them stay up there for long. They both also love shoulders. IMO, it's not an issue as long as you stay in control. If the bird starts misbehaving (chewing on jewelry, ears, trying to get in your mouth) then you remove them, otherwise they're allowed to stay.

I hope she isn't losing too much weight. A few spoonfuls isn't enough for a Hy baby who isn't eating much else.

Hi Emily,

My breeder told me the same thing about not letting them play on top of the cage as they can also get territorial and aggressive. I never let Ryan on top of the cage. If I take him out, that means he's out, no more cage.

I do let him on my shoulder, but I put him there. I don't let him walk up on his own.

I think we all do things differently, and I think it all depends on what works best for you and your bird. I'm still learning with Ryan and trying different things, which makes it all the more fun.

Emily, both of my birds are almost constantly on top of their cages...either together or apart. Harley actually has a play gym on top of his. They both spend a lot of time on there. I have never had any aggression problems with either of them. We were warned not to use Harley's play gym until he was stepping up on command....honestly...we didn't listen..and he learned to step up fine. I think it's really just a matter of preference.

As for letting them on our shoulders....we NEVER allow them to sit there. Number one because of their shear size. (We have a 7 year old that handles them, we don't want them getting in his face). Plus...birds sometimes get spooked very easily...an unexpected loud noise, etc...you don't want a bird on your shoulder spooked and possibly biting your face out of fear. (Or at least I don't) Lots of people do allow their birds to sit there..again I am sure it's just a preference thing, but personally (especially with the larger birds) I think it's just a recipe for an unfortunate accident. I trust my birds whole heartedly...but for us, shoulder perching just isn't a good scene.

Ivy sounds like she is doing great! You are doing a wonderful job..and it's good that you worry...will keep you on your toes and observant, which is very important right now. I don't have any experience with weaning babies...our two were older when we got them...but in any case it's important that they are eating properly. It sounds to me that you have things under control. Just watch her weight to make sure it doesn't drop drastically. I know it doesn't seem like it now...but she WILL get the hang of the dishes.....maybe you should try eating some fruit or something out of one, sharing with her, so she gets the idea. Harley was very picky when we first got him, so for a week or two I only fed him "treat" type food out of his bowls on his play gym (nuts, seeds etc)...so now he thinks ANYTHING in that bowl is a treat....so that is where I put ALL his fruits and veggies etc...he eats it all now.

It's nice that she is cuddling..it's so sweet when they are like that. Maple is very cuddly with me. Almost makes this purring sound when we cuddle...lol. Enjoy her...and don't doubt yourself...your doing a great job with her...all the bugs will work themselves out in time...I assure you...LOL.

Good luck and have fun....give her some kisses and cuddles from Maple and Harley!!!

I have mutual feelings about the birds being on top of their cages. Since they can be a pain to retreive off of the top, I usually don't let them on. However, lately I've allowed them to climb up and play on top. As for the shoder, I do let Lucy. She's loves to be on my sholder and snuggle up against my cheek and neck and under my hair.

A few spoonfulls seems like very little for a baby Hy. Yes, I think lowering the perches will be a good idea. Hopefully, she'll start eating out of the bowls!

That's a very good point. It can be very dangerous and a hazzard to both people and birds. It is a preference and Lucy is the only one I would ever allow on my sholder. Harley is far too big and 'clumsey' on my sholder. Again, its a preference and can vary from bird to owner.

yes, after reading about misplaced aggression in cockatoos, and seeing the facial injuries they cause...YEAH, no shoulders for ivy

I recommend that you place her perches where Ivy can easily reach her food and water dishes and fill with foods that you know she likes, ie nuts so she gets used to eating from her bowls. Didn't sound like she ate much, but how often is she eating?

I recommend not allowing her to sit on your shoulder because of her size alone. Our Hys fly to my shoulder oftentimes, but I immediately have them step up on my hand to play. It can be a safety issue if they get scared. I also try not to have them on their cage top as it is so high I cannot reach them to step up. They like to perch high, so I let them play on their play gym and rings that I can reach them easily.