We're gonna try again...
Added 2023-02-13 17:00:06 +0000 UTCHere's our second attempt at introducing Ava and Jinx in the same space.
Comments
Hey I’m a little late but it reminds me so much of my struggle, I thought I ought to share the method I used with my flock. I don’t have the experience of handling larger birds, so I’m wondering if it can affect the outcome (as I assume breaking a fight with these guys would be scarier than with my little guys). Nevertheless, here’s an idea: At least once a day, do a session with Jinks with another bird present in the room. Avoid interactions between them and focus on rewarding J when he’s disinterested in what the other one is doing. My conure quickly got accustomed to another bird’s presents as it became the norm and requirement for earning rewards (she did get rewards during alone time too but you get the idea ^^) It is a time-consuming method since you will probably need another person present to distract the other bird, but you can adjust by working Jinks close to a caged bird instead. My thoughts go to you as I understand how depressing it can feel when you feel like your bird can’t have any healthy interactions with his own kind… but don’t despair, he’ll get there soon enough. He might not start snuggling with them, but he’ll surely tolerate them much more! Best of luck, I hope this was a little helpful 😉
Katherine Gil
2023-03-12 23:53:08 +0000 UTCOh jeez, he has it bad for y'all! Haha! I just saw your most recent post about it (catching up on a lot lately since work has been nuts!), and success you shared with the two of them and I'm so glad for you guys! Crossing fingers you can figure out a good way to have them together and continue down this successful route!
Aubrey
2023-03-08 22:33:21 +0000 UTCThanks for the ideas, Aubrey! To answer your questions, they have been around one another a lot in aviaries and Jinx gets PISSED anytime I even look at Ava in another aviary (at this time). The other birds are also around but not the Camelots at this time, they are housed in the quarantine room aviaries so not to exacerbate the whole issue. So they see a lot of each other but haven't come out together. And anytime someone grabs Ava out of the aviary, Jinx is all F U feathers and eye pinning, and mouth open...
BirdTricks
2023-03-08 21:53:55 +0000 UTCI'm a little late to this video, but thought I'd provide an outsiders perspective! You obviously have a very close bond with Jynx. It's also obvious that he likes to interact and work for treats. In my opinion, it seemed like things tended to escalate when Jynx wasn't preoccupied with a treat while Ava was doing flights. It was even mentioned in the video that he wanted to earn treats as well. I wonder if this also escalated his jealousy, since now she's doing exactly what he wants to be doing. Next time, would maybe doing more subtle behaviors (like a wave, or spin or something) with Ava while Jynx is out be better than flights? This way it distracts Ava from flying to you, but isn't so obvious that Jynx now gets excited for treats. This way, you have the ability to treat Jynx for calm behavior while Ava's doing her thing with Dave. Maybe I've missed a video, but I think I'm missing context as to how much you guys have already tried introducing them. Would putting them in aviaries next to each other where they are visible for any amount of time help? How much time have they spent seeing each other already? This sort of thing. I wish you guys the best of luck, and am so rooting for the Ava/Jynx pairing! Just remember like people, all birds have their personalities. Jynx may just not really want to hang out with other birds. You've got this!
Aubrey
2023-03-08 16:12:43 +0000 UTC1000% agree
FayK
2023-02-16 13:41:33 +0000 UTCBased on the Valentines video, I would say it looks like you eventually make an improvement. I’m sure there’s some time difference between the two videos but it seems way better in terms of body language and all around interactions.
Kimberly Carr
2023-02-15 19:54:22 +0000 UTCI know, lol, hence why I got those fail videos out asap before that valentine video 😂
BirdTricks
2023-02-15 17:58:05 +0000 UTCP.S I would love to see more Cressi on patreon, she’s such a sweet bird.
Guy Goldstein K
2023-02-15 17:11:57 +0000 UTCJamie! Little did we know but in your valentine video Ava and Jinxie are sharing space peacefully! I was joyfully SHOCKED.
Guy Goldstein K
2023-02-15 17:07:33 +0000 UTCEverybody commented wonderful comments, well said words. I want to say that the videos of your introduction sessions seems concisely short and successful. your situation is so so real, I bet many clients may go just through the same process. I am curious to discover what you learn from this experience if you choose to stick with it. I feel like there’s a chance that if you do manage to set you expectations in a realistic way, yet make sure to not make strict assumptions about Jinxie being anti social with birds. I might be naive (but well meaning) watching his videos, I feel like Jinx seems to be more tolerant and less quick to escalate in the introduction session with Ava, and the fact you’re able to keep it very concise and read him so clearly is a good indication this might as well go successfully and that you have the tools to deal effectively with the data you collect through this integration process (or be able to asses if the investment of time and intention into this process is worthwhile for you). TRUST YOUR GUT and DO WHAT YOUR INTUITION SAY, you know Jinx and his tendencies the best. You can feel the energy in the space and see things that we can’t because we’re simple not there with you. Also, what an opportunity to really understand what some of your clients that might be going through - especially if they don’t have much extra space in their home to keep their flock members separated from each other. so many bird owners are going through this exact experience, introduction is one of the more complex and slow processes that people do with their social pet animals (I think it is an important one in many cases and if done successfully worthwhile) and many struggle with it immensely, every case is very different. Similarly to diet conversion sometimes it takes days to weeks with simple steps - sometimes it takes a long long year of dedication and not giving up, sometimes you go through different approaches or need to get creative, sometime it takes a lot of time until you can measure your milestones towards birdie introductions and birdie integration, but if done properly to completion, there’s a chance good everyone will benefit from it and become more resilient and confident in their shared space- and for people in their home - that is literal peace of mind.
Guy Goldstein K
2023-02-14 21:39:09 +0000 UTCJinx may just be slow to bond with Ava - more interactions like today may build on themselves and get better and better. Don't be discouraged with today - I think there is still potential for Jinx and Ava in the future. Jinx may need to learn to trust her. :)
Janie
2023-02-14 01:53:03 +0000 UTCHey Jamie, dont despair! I have a story for you that might help. Here goes. We have been looking after a very baby lorikeet. She fell out of her nest and someone foolishly picked her up and surrendered her to the wildlife rescue instead of leaving her there with her parents. I was asked to raise her because we think the flock is here around us. And they were - her parents turn up every morning to check on her before leaving again. I am flight training her because there is every chance when we release her that she will be rejected by the flock and need to come back. Anyway, she trains super well but she is WILD. I mean wild. The difference is huge. She tries any food, but baby bird food. She can barely stand, still falls around a lot and likes to play on her back. She is incredibly healthy, with gut flora and poos that are like amazing - our vet has only seen that in wild or parent raised birds. She eats fruits, celery, green leaves, grapes, and a slowly increasing amount of nectar. Just like that. Never had to coax her. She eats wildflowers - a lot, all the time, even though she struggles to stay on a perch still. She knows how to forage them too - without damaging them, so she can get more later. Her instinct, when I take her outside every morning, is to hop off to some underbrush that perfectly camouflages her and watch for lorikeets flying overhead. When she sees them, she emerges, calling loudly and flapping her wings in anticipation of getting food, before retreating again. Anyway, my point is this. Its been weeks of care and handfeeding but she is not bonded with us at all. Jinxie, on the other hand, loves you - always has. Like really genuinely and not because of training/care bonding. He is one of 'those' animals that likes to form a bond with humans. A century ago, we would have selectively bred a bird like him as we selectively bred tame wolves into dogs. The bird breeding people have a few ways to go but you got lucky. I would just accept him for who he is and make the most of it. He is a beautiful boy and he will eventually turn into a parront himself - just like my black cockatoo who is now 7 (and they only sexually mature at 4). He just hangs on me around and watches patiently as I get through my bird care. He's cool with it now but was an absolutely demon about me for 2 years. One good thing? At least he doesnt get mad at you for 'betraying' him, right? That can be nasty.
Bashi Kumar-Hazard
2023-02-13 23:07:55 +0000 UTCYou have taught me a lot about small approximations. Perhaps your attempts are too much too soon. Go gently with you. I also like FayK’s idea.
Beckie Child
2023-02-13 20:02:26 +0000 UTCRemember Jinx is a different bird when he gets to free fly with them. So maybe once Ava is to that point it could cause that 360 view that he has today. Don’t be discouraged, one of the biggest things that I have learned from you is to be progressive. It’s ok to be in your feels rn, but maybe think about how can we get them flying together in the batting cage in the spring or maybe just have both in there while you or Dave work with the other. Just some ideas based on what I have seen you do in the past
FayK
2023-02-13 19:18:14 +0000 UTCIt looks to me like he's just jealous of any other bird in his space. There are other types of animals that are the same way. Even humans can be like this. He just wants his area to himself.
Carolyn Rivera
2023-02-13 18:46:35 +0000 UTCOn one hand I think you are his person & that he doesn't care to have anyone (human or bird). Maybe he's just Anti-social lol? How is he if you aren't in the picture? If it's just him, Ava & Dave? Does he act the same? BUT if he reacts differently, you can't always have it that way either (you not in the picture). The hopeful side/other hand would be that maybe he just hasn't met the RIGHT bird. Has there been ANY project birds that he didn't have this reaction with? Maybe he's just extremely picky. Lol Maybe you'd just have to find that unicorn. How does Jinx act if Dave carries a bird past him like you did? Same?
Janene Gscuba
2023-02-13 17:41:58 +0000 UTCOh my goodness, thank you so much for sharing this. I know I say that nearly every time I comment on here, but seriously, when I signed up for your Patreon videos, this is exactly what I was wanting. The good, the bad, of bird training. I learnt a lot from this. I’ve seen my Senegal do that ‘yawning’ where am I Cockatiel is out, and my Senegal is in. I didn’t see it for what it was. Senegals I’m known for being bad with other birds, as a general rule, so when I got my Cockatiel, I wasn’t expecting them to be best buddies. But even without that expectation, I do get disappointed when my Senegal goes on my Cockatiel’s cage in the hopes of an opportunity to attack her feet, or when my Cockatiel goes on my Senegal’s cage. Sometimes I doubt whether I’m doing the right thing bye keeping them both, but my Senegal is also a great role model. Thanks to being able to watch her, my Cockatiel now accepts petting. They also bounce off each other when it comes to trying new foods. So they aren’t a flock, but they do flock things if that makes any sense. I still think there’s hope, I think if those birds are going to be able to get along then you’re the best people to introduce them because you have such a good reading on them. But whatever happens, don’t be hard on yourself because I know you do what’s best, even if that means finding Ava a new home because the experiment failed. Pretty sure you wouldn’t find Jinx a home as the only bird, though, you guys are too bonded. And that’s OK.
Stephanie Edwards
2023-02-13 17:31:28 +0000 UTC
