training diet, or forced hunger?

[trevazellers]

Hi all, I bought a new training program, Taming, Training and Tricks. I advises that you start your bird on a training diet, consisting of pellets, and allow them to get hungry in order for them to want treats for training everyday. Squeaky is very attentive to me now (because I'm his source of treats), but how humane is it to not leave food out? I just feel a bit guilty letting him get hungry.

[Guest]

In nature I don't think they'll eat until they're hungry, so I really don't think you have to feel guilty -

 

although I know the feelings of just being "bad" to be good

[trevazellers]

Thanks FairY, I am definitely in control now, he even climbs off of his cage just to come and see me (or, probably to see if I have any snacks fo him!). Have you ever used a training program on your bird (how many greys do you have)? Thanks!

Treva

[Guest]

Treva, unfortunately I don't own a Grey I'm still in the process of reading everything there is to read about them and corresponding with a certain predicament I'm in at the moment, by the time I can have one I'll know everything :laugh:

 

So please take any 'information' I'm handing out as 'dry-theoratical' information, not being practised out RL.

[jdiprofio]

Hey there,

 

Just a few words on the training diets.

 

A strictly pellet diet is not good for many parrot species... many mutations will develop other health problems because the pellet are formulated for all birds, not by species. Some of the inbreeding to produce the beautiful mutation left the birds at a greater chance of health problems. I do know that lutino cockatiels (and yellow pacific parrotlets) are prone to kidney problem if they eat too much pellet based diet. I personally believe that a diet as close to their natural diet (and this varies as different parrot species are from different parts of the world and thus eat different foods) is the best, with pellet supplementation to suffice as a catch all for any nutrients that may missed in the diet fed.

 

I have an issue with starving any living being in order to make it submisive. Always be careful when ordering these training programs, in that every bird is different and the training methods vary in effectiveness with each individual bird. A well balanced diet, plenty of sleep and much repetition will be all that you need to train most birds. Along with a few special treats of course..

 

Cheers,

 

Joe

 

www.parrothaven.ca<br><br>Post edited by: jdiprofio, at: 2007/03/13 21:23