Bella's strange habit

[Bellas owner]

Since i got Bella this last tuesday, she does this thing that frustrates me, as i dont know if its normal and if she is going to hurt herself because of it!

What she does is, when climbing in the cage, she would put her head inbetween her legs and try crawle under neath herself twisting her feet and ancles! She is only 10 weeks old, but this habit worries me quite a bit!

If i let her on to the top of the cage to get some space, she wont sit still and relax, she has the need to climb like a monkey. She also stretches her wings and legs like almost every 15 min! Is this normal?

Thanks guys, sorry about all the questions, just want my little one to settle down happily!

Craig

[lisarn3]

She is very, very young.  I would be careful about climbing.  In the sense that she isn't going to be very good at it.  I would maybe put some towels or something below her cage to cushion in case she falls. 
Otherwise, I guess I wouldn't worry about her wanting to clinb and move about.  You have an infant there who is learning to move about.  To expect her to sit still and quiet is not realistic at all.
Good luck

[Bellas owner]

Just scared she hurts herself with that one little move she does when she tries climbing herself between the legs, looks like she is getting herself stuck, and with great effort she detangles herself. They said she was about ten weeks when i purchased her ... She was born/hatched on the 5th of september, which just working out now is ... Sorr, my bad, just checked the calendar since purchasing, she is 14 weeks! Big differance if you that age 

I'm happy that she is climbing around, its just that one little move she does that worries me.
I'm also starting to wonder if its not the cage that is to small as well, although the lady at the store did suggest it ... Bella also does the scratching in the corner bit with her head. When i open the cage and let her sit on top, then she is much more relaxed! Got my wife out scouting for a new cage while i look after baba! ;-)

One thing i still need to clear up is that so many sites say not to put the bird neer a window where there will be a draught! Surely there is draught all the time when they outside? Just an item i need to set right in my mind.

Thanks for the advice, and time, and blog ... And and and ... Good source of info for a beginner!

[lisarn3]

Unless your house is very old, it is unlikely you will have much draft coming in.  If the temps are low at night just make sure you have a drape to pull shut.
Wait until she get more coordinated, then you will see moves that will make your hair stand on end.  I just have to laugh watching Cody bird hanging by one toe, upside down beating the tar out of his toys.
Some birds get nervous by a window just because of movements outside.  Depends on the bird and their temperment.  14 weeks is still a little young for being weaned.  I would monitor her eating pretty closely and make sure that she is eating well.

[feika]

Hello and welcome to the forum Craig and Bella (2), from Ali/Captain. The head between legs thing is perfectly normal routine practice with my CAGs.

When they are in the wild, they make efforts to keep away from the draft.

[Bellas owner]

Yeh, i watched another interesting move this morning, Bella hung her entire body from the top of the cage with her beak! And just before i thaught she was going to hit the deck she found that a claw comes in handy on times like these!

The lady at the shop says that she should be pretty much weened, but she is eating like a sailor when it comes to her seeds!

When i open the cage lid, she climbs out, does a huge display of wings and stretching and joy and then sits and relax's and then falls asleep! Unlike when she is in the cage the shop owner specified, she then becomes a gymnast! I am currently looking for another cage ... Bigger!

The frozen veggie mix you get at the supermarket good enough to feed them? And does it need to be cooked or can they eat it raw?

Excuse the onslaught of questions!

[jules]

if she's eating confidently on her own then it's more likely she is fully weaned. it would be good to purchase some digital scales,if you havent already got some. this way you can monitor her weight,and make sure she is eating enough 

if and when you get a bigger cage i would still pad out the bottom for a while until you can be sure she's not about to fall off perches and such. the frozen veggies are good as there is less waste but might be better cooked,if feeding cold make sure they're thoroughly defrosted,overnight preferably. do try to vary ways to offer foods though,try her with some fresh raw veggies and fruits too 

[alicat]

if its any helpm i take out enough frozen veg for my four birds, put in a bowl with a bit  of water to steam, cover it and microwave on full for 2mins from frozen. then i throw the veg in a clean teatowel to soak off any excess water and feed. make sure theres no hotspots . adjust cooking time to however much you are cooking so the veg is sooked but still firm rather than soft.
everything else your bird is doing is totally normal. the beak should not normally be trimmed btw, they would naturally be used to crack open seeds nuts etc .
it doesnt sound like your bird has been handled very gently or frequently enough to become silly tame. carry on taking your time, you have the birds whole life ahead of you to get his trust so dont push him or you will be bitten as you have  .
yes you can get hold of him in a towel and then hold him as the woman in the shopdid tilo he calms down, but itd be so much kinder and so much more rewarding if you bide your time with tiny steps and let him choose to come to you...
in a bowl of his seed mix heres always something the bird goes for first.... their favourite... one of mine its the dried corn,another its the pine nuts,whatever it is pick some out and every little baby step in becoming tamer he takes reward him. it willencourage him to want to be with you and he will replace his fear with trust. you can reduce the treats gradually in a while, rewarding every second time wth praise or a head scratch instead

[carol]

hi everyone just to add my 2pence worth i wouldnt worry bella just sounds like georgie she is a very adventurous georgie swings upside down lots hangs by her beak and sometimes one claw screaching, she throws herself all over the cage, swings from one toy to another and all she is doing is playing she is totaly mad iv had to put chicken wire  round the sides of her cage as her wings kept geting caught , i used to worry about her so much but i dont now , while peggy just sits watching her with a confused lool.k 

[kgamblin]

Well, Bella is quiet the little athlete.  Ruby likes doing "flips" in her cage and hangs by one claw from her toys to swing back and forth.  Your Bella is just "working out".  I think that most of the youngsters do these acrobatics purely for the fun of it. 

As for the veggies, I have been giving my fids the mixed veggies thawed in the microwave and prepared the way alicat described for years.  They seem to love them and get very excited when they see me pour the veggies into the microwave dish I use.  Sometimes I also mix in a little crumbled corn bread or fresh chopped fruits and they like that as well.

[kins23]

I agree with everyone's advice. Welcome Bella and family. The best advice of all, is putting towels underneath, to catch her if she falls.
     As far as cage placement, I wouldn't put their cages near a window or door where there is a draft. BUT.... they do tend to love looking outside. Part of playing and exposing baby to the world, should include looking out the window, telling baby everything you see. Point to it. " See that?" thats a tree. Etc. They will be intrigued as they get older.  Nancy and Sophie

[carol]

my georgie even sleeps hanging upside from the top of the cage what the heavens is that about im sure she thinks she is a bat