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BirdHobbyist.com
Nancy Sheffer
Teaching Birds to Play
March 3, 2005

PHCoosmom: This is a protocol chat. Please do not send chat to the room during the program. If you have a question or comment for our guest, please send a "?" or "!" symbol to the screen and you will be placed in the queue and called upon by the host when it is your turn.

We appreciate your cooperation and hope that you will enjoy our chat tonight.

PHCoosmom: Nancy Sheffer, also know as Nancbird on the internet, lives in NY with 14 parrots, a hubby Alvin. She is a popular speaker on parrot safety and play at many bird clubs and organizations, including LIPS, The Real Macaw Club, and the Albany NY Marts. She comes dressed fully feathered when she speaks! After doing rescue for a few years, Nancy found many birds did not know how to play, they just sat, or were afraid of toys. She has now developed her "Teach Your Bird To Play" method, covering all aspects of playing, safe and unsafe toys, and just plain fun!

Please welcome Nancy to The Aviary.

Nancbird: Thanks Coos

PHCoosmom: Nancy, For just a short intro, can you introduce us to your flock and how they came to you?

Nancbird: Well Coos I have 14 parrots here, all but one came from rescuing or adopting them

Nancbird: I worked rescue for 5 years, and these were the ones I could not place, and now they are in their forever home

Nancbird: They cam with baggage, and working with them they are my loved ones

Nancbird: they are wonderful and funny

Nancbird: I placed at least 100 birds in that time

Nancbird: and now I just do adoption

PHCoosmom: How did you develop your "teaching the bird to play" program?

Nancbird: placing birds in great homes

Nancbird: the inn here is full!

Nancbird: when these birds came to me, they just sat, not knowing what to do

Nancbird: they had no toys, nothing...and lived thatw ay for years

Nancbird: so it was a challange to do something, and it worked! ga

PHCoosmom: Folks, please feel free to ask any questions regarding birds and play you wish to.

PHCoosmom: Nan, can you tell us about some of the favorite toys your birds have?

Midask9: ?

jac_nr: ?

jeffb: ?

Nancbird: do know, in the wild most birds learn from the parents...so they do have to be taught how to play, so you look what they do in the natural habitat..they swing, chew, crunch

Nancbird: most people will just buy a toy, put it in the cage and the poor bird spazzes out

Nancbird: sooooo you have to teach them, show them how to play

Nancbird: people say their bird is afraid of the toys, nah...ever see a parrot that has never seen a TV clicker? what do they do with it?

Nancbird: as soon as they see you with it they want it

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga Midask

PHXue: Also, I'd like to remind everyone to type a / when they are finished

Midask9: I work in a shelter, and the typical birds we get in are neglected and ignored. Any suggestions to make them feel welcome and comfortable initially? ga

Nancbird: talk to them, tell them where they are and that they will be ok...move slow by them..telling everything your gonna do..and make sure they have good stimulation but not scarey ones, ga

sheka_nr: I have a quaker and she loves to shred paper, and practacly ignores all the toys in her cage, should i put paper in there? and whats with the "ga"?

PHXue: ga jac

Midask9: ty

jac_nr: I have 2 loverbirds I just purchased and they have toys in their cages but they never seem to play with them what can I do to encourage them to play with them. Even if I have the toys in my hand..they don t go for them. a/

Nancbird: I will try to answer both questions

Nancbird: Quakers love paper, so give it to them...it will never hurt them, only make a mess for you...a phone book is great! And cheap! Quakers also love shiny toys, things that clank and move around, and tents to hide in, boings to jump on

sheka_nr: ?

Nancbird: Lovebirds love paper bags, ripping things up in neat strips...they also love to hidem paper towel rolls etc

Nancbird: Lovebirds don't care for toys too much but again love boings to hang on, and things to rip

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga jeff

jac_nr: what is a boing?

jeffb: I have a 4 yr old african gray that loves his toys but destroys thema ll. Any suggestions for cheap toys?

Nancbird: boings are the closest thing to vines hanging in trees, they can flip on them, swing one them or just hang out, great exercise also! They are spiral and long and bounce, you will see them in pet stores etc for all size birds

Nancbird: some are made of cotton rope like material, I like sisal ones the best

Nancbird: ga

jeffb: thanks

Midask9: ?

PHXue: ga sheka

Nancbird: Jeff...paper! phone books, wood blocks, paper bags, kleexex boxes, bottle caps

sheka_nr: when birds chew on paper doesnt the ink get in there system, do they atually eat it?

sheka_nr: and..is peanuts bad for quakers? she loves them

Nancbird: all ink in the USA is made of soy...so it is safe, yes on a white bird they might get dark feathers! It comes off in the wash...shower...LOL...

Nancbird: no peanuts are fine, I just get ones I would eat

Nancbird: just don't over do them and be careful, I only give ones that do not have black spots on them

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga Midask

Midask9: We currently have a Pionus from a collector, for reasons I cannot explain, he gives preferential treatment to all things purple. Any toys that you would recommend that we can find with purple to help him come around? ga

Nancbird: LOL....you can find things at bird marts..the toy parts..most are colord, so buy purple and pink...and make them for him...

Midask9: ok ty

sheka_nr: My quaker loves green! lol figures..

Nancbird: does he like a happy hut? can you make one?ga

PHCoosmom: !

Midask9: he does not, we can make one ty

PHXue: ga coos

PHCoosmom: Just an aside folks, you can get raw wood and dye it yourself with human grade food colors.

PHCoosmom: They work very well.

Nancbird: !

PHXue: LOL ga Nanc

Nancbird: Just be aware doing that folks not to use cool aide

sheka_nr: ?

Nancbird: sometimes the flavor is strong and makes the bird think it is food stuff...so food colors are the best

PHXue: why not?

Nancbird: ga

shortstff467: why?

PHXue: ok, ga sheka

PHCoosmom: ?

iangel218_nr: ?

sheka_nr: my bird loves drinks..pretty much anythig cold and that im drinking..she loves. are there any drinks that are bad for her?

Nancbird: easy on the drinks, like too much sugar, and note that the diet is really no good at all for your birds

Nancbird: nothing artifical (sp)... no milk, coffee soda

Nancbird: birds can not burp...even though they learn to make the sound of a human burp

Nancbird: they can have teas...the good teas

Nancbird: ga

sheka_nr: hopw bout orange juice?

Nancbird: oh thats great! most juices are good...just watch the sugar content

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga iangel

sheka_nr: ok good, thats her favorite! she creams " TROPICANA!!" all the time

iangel218_nr: what kind of toys do you think are the best for stimulating Greys? I heard that toys with sounds are really good...but do you have any other suggestions?ga

Nancbird: LOL

Nancbird: anything they can "work" at, forging toys things they have to hunt for a treat etc

shortstff467: ?

Nancbird: they love to think...and they more they think the better!

iangel218_nr: :)

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga shortstff

shortstff467: mentioning sugar and weight, what about excercise? ga

sheka_nr: birdy tredmill..Lol

Nancbird: nothing is better than a lunch bag with a nut in it, pop corn, treats, wind the top and make them work for it, let them watch you put stuff in it

Nancbird: exercise is so important for all birds

MissDaphne: LOL, I love that!

Nancbird: that's why I love boings, to climp, swing etc

Nancbird: I also make them fly

sheka_nr: ?

Nancbird: how? you take them and to the ferris wheel with them, hold their feet and swing them, make those wings flap!

Nancbird: They will puff, but learn it is fun!ga

shortstff467: MOL, sneaky

Synneove_nr: ?

PHXue: sorry, just wanna make a remark here, Nanc, someone asked what a boing was. Did you explain?

Nancbird: yes, I will explaine for those that missed it

jac_nr: yes she explained and thank you

PHXue: oops, ok, sorry

sheka_nr: ?

PHXue: ga sheka, I didn't forget you, lol

Nancbird: it is a spiral thing, made out of cotten rope or sisal rope...some are huge for Macaws etc...they hang down and the bird swings on them bounces etc...bird marts have tons all sizes and pet shops or on line, that is a must for all birds

Nancbird: they are great!

Nancbird: ga

sheka_nr: my birdy..learned a very bad word from me the other day..i was cleaning and stubbed my toe and i screamed a bad word and i heared her repeat it, now she sais it all the time. any way to make her forget it?

Nancbird: hee hee

Nancbird: yup...don't say it again! say something that sounds like it

Nancbird: make sure it is clear...and after a while she will say that

sheka_nr: Ok thanks, my parents are visiting next week..

Nancbird: I did that once! they are quick to pick those things up like kids!

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga Synneove

tex_parrot_nr: ?

Synneove_nr: Nanc - You mentioned earlier that we need to teach them how to play, to swing and to chew. Can you give some suggestions/ideas? I have adopted a 4yr. RSE male who doesn't seemed interested in any different type of toys offered - he loves his food though and will forage but I'd like for him to learn how "play" a/

sheka_nr: RSE?

Nancbird: ok this might be a bit long so bear with me

Synneove_nr: red sided Eclectus

sheka_nr: oh ok

Nancbird: Any thing you have they want...if they are on you and your reading the paper they want it, as I said, the TV clicker, the key board on your computer, your jewlery, anything they want it

shortstff467: ?

sheka_nr: electric cords!

Nancbird: I take mine, put them on the table, and play with a toy, telling them they can't have it, I tell them it is mine

Nancbird: and pull it close to me, I chew the toy, throw it, pull it bak not letting the bird have it

Nancbird: I laugh at the toy, snuggle the toy

Nancbird: then after a while turn my head..the bird will sneak up on the toy...then I let them touch it

Midask9: ?

Nancbird: while I touch it... we play tug of war...

Nancbird: it will work after a while and you can give them the toy for the cage, when you go by the cage touch the toy

Nancbird: ring a bell etc...soon they catch on and when they want you they will ring the bell etc

sheka_nr: Wow..i just kinda took the bird out and tossed the toy in..

sheka_nr: whos doing that?

shortstff467: utho

sheka_nr: y did people get kicked off?

jac_nr: i was wondering the same thing.....

PHXue: yes, sorry :(

PHCoosmom: sheka, got them back now. LOL

shortstff467: it could be the room

Rouen: has the chat begun?

jac_nr: where is nancybird is she coming back?>

Nancbird: Wow sorry

jac_nr: welcom back

Rouen: wb nancy

Nancbird: LOL someone booted me?

Synneove2_nr: Thank you for answering my ? Nanc. I've done what you've suggested with new foods but never thought about trying it with toys.....

Nancbird: great Synneove

PHCoosmom: did someone have a question for Nan that we have not called?

shortstff467: ?

PHCoosmom: Shors, GA

shortstff467: whats the average life span of birds

Midask9: ?

sheka_nr: once my birds see that cardboard box of pizza, they go nuts

tex_parrot_nr: ?

Rouen: ?

Nancbird: ewwwwwww hard question and they all have different ones...depends on the bird can you give me an idea on the bird? Some Tiels will be 20-25, Zons can be 50 or more, Macaws can be 70 etc

Nancbird: ga

shortstff467: parakeets, canarys

shortstff467: ga

Nancbird: Keets if fed a good diet, exercise can live 15 years at least...poor diet, like a seed only diet..well then I would say 5 to 7...

PHXue: ga tex

Nancbird: canarys? good diet again can be 9 to 13 yrs, poor diet and lights maybe 5

shortstff467: amazing

Nancbird: ga

tex_parrot_nr: i have a gray that doesnt want to perch on my finger and be brought out of the cage during the day but will do it at night. It is very affectionate once out

tex_parrot_nr: any suggestions on how to change this behavior?

Nancbird: most birds at night calm down, become more snugglie and want attention

Nancbird: during the day they can be something else, and not all birds are alike...some tolerate more some don't...depends on the bird. Use a favorite treat when you ask them to step up, and the praise, keep working at it and they will come around

Nancbird: hope this helps, it should...

Nancbird: ga

sheka_nr: ?

tex_parrot_nr: thx!

PHXue: ga midask

Midask9: Would the "my toy is better than whatever you have right now" trick work to teach the previously mentioned Pionus to play with toys of other colors? /ga

Nancbird: sometimes...you know, parrots are realy jealous creatures...and they always want what you have, they think they are missing something! LOL

Nancbird: my Coakatoo hates anthing green

MissDaphne: I have to go but thank you for a very educational chat!

Nancbird: it is so funny...15 years and if it is green forget it! ga

Midask9: ty

PHXue: ga rou

Nancbird: LOL

Rouen: found anytyhing that attracts these two types of birds to a toy and makes them want to play? I'd ask about my ducks aswell but I'm assuming you dont have much experience with them.

Rouen: hmm didn;t all go

PHCoosmom: Rouen ask it again.

shortstff467: ?

Rouen: I have a tiel and a budgie that dont like to play, have you found anytyhing that attracts these two types of birds to a toy and makes them want to play?

Nancbird: Rouen...what kind of birds?

Nancbird: ahhhhhh

sheka_nr: omg!! people are streaking by my house! eeww!

Nancbird: ok...Budgies are usually play animals, so finding the right toys...they do not really faver chewing wood except for their perches...and then they fall down! LOL they love mirrors..yes Mirrors they are fine, and again small clangie toysm shiny ones, bells, small boings...

Nancbird: Tiels like to chew your woodwork...not to many wood toys, again like the keets...they like to beat up toys that make noise and shine...

Nancbird: they also like paper to chew, and your attention

Nancbird: if you notice, keets and tiels love earrings, watches and things like that! ga

sheka_nr: ?

Rouen: Ozzy's been through 5 perches so far I know about the chewing

PHXue: sorry, hate to interrupt here, but my tiels love leather strings as well

Nancbird: yes they do like that Xue

Rouen: I'd assume not the dyed leather?

Nancbird: and pieces of sisal

Nancbird: to preen

PHXue: veggie dyed/tanned

Nancbird: no, good leather strips you can get them at bird marts

Nancbird: just for birds

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: ga coos

PHCoosmom: Nan, I know you have one grey that loves music boxes. Can you tell us what kind of boxes to get for birds and how to teach them to use them?

PHCoosmom: Folks, we will take one or two more questions after this.

Nancbird: Greys, some zons, macaws etc can learn to play music boxes. I go into Wallmart etc...and see what I can fine

Nancbird: if you look them over...make sure there isn't parts that your bird can get into trouble with, well try then to press the buttons with uhhhhhh your nose

sheka_nr: ?

Nancbird: your nose to a bird is a beak,..so you must do it even though you feel foolish!

Nancbird: if you can press the bos easy then your biord can opress it with his beak

PHXue: LOL, "I" don't feel foolish..........

Nancbird: I get good boxes, by Matell etc

sheka_nr: well im gonna go eat ttyl

Nancbird: bring them home and do it in front of your bird, dance and sing..show him how to do it

Nancbird: dance, bop up and down then let the bird try

Nancbird: do this for a few days then leave the box on top of the cage

Nancbird: they will go beak it and the first time it plays music, they have it made!

shortstff467: ?

Nancbird: then let them have fun

Nancbird: one word of caution...make sure they can not get to the back where the batteries are, I tye mine to the cage so they can not reach that

Nancbird: ga

PHXue: Ok, shorstff, you have the last question

shortstff467: can you suggest some good reading material for a beginner?ga

Nancbird: ahh Short...wish my book was done...but there is a ton of good info on the web...and on mailing lists..I run the Grey Play Round Table mail list... and always welcome new members

shortstff467: great

PHCoosmom: And you are always welcome to come to our chats Short. ;)

PHXue: it's not just for greys?

shortstff467: would love to see it

Nancbird: some good books are out there, Mattie Sue Athan, Bobbie Brinker, Maggie Wright and more

shortstff467: mol, haff to talk that over with the cats

PHCoosmom: Short, what kind of birds?

Nancbird: noooo many have lots of birds different types

PHCoosmom: LOL Short.

shortstff467: i dont have one, but you have peeked my curiosity about them

Nancbird: well Short, ya never know when a Grey will come into your heart

shortstff467: mol

PHCoosmom: Short, yoiu can also go to the Pethobbyist store and look at the books there.

PHCoosmom: One of us is always happy to talk to you about them.

Midask9: birds are wonderful Shorty, some have GREAT per(purr)sonalities

PHCoosmom: LOL

shortstff467: true, now why didnt i think of that

Nancbird: the guide to a well behaived parrot is a great book

shortstff467: so it seems

PHCoosmom: Nancy, thank yoiu so much for coming tonight.

Nancbird: I want to thank you all for having me tonight\

Synneove2_nr: ty all and ty Nanc - I enjoyed the chat - very helpful

shortstff467: i had no idea they were so interesting

Nancbird: this has been a great chat!

PHCoosmom: Thank you all for coming. Our next guest speaker will be Diane Diane Lazicki, founder of Lazicki's Bird House & Rescue, Inc. to speak on Friday evening at 9 pm eastern time. Diane will speak on the Creation and Running of a successful rescue. Please feel free to come and ask questions.

Rouen: thanks for coming nan

Midask9: thank you Nanc, you have been very helpful!! Hope to see you back sometime :)