Early Parrot Education - Stage 4 - Advanced foraging education

Stage 4:
Advanced Foraging
Education
©2005-2015 HARI, all rights reserved

Stage 4 of Early Parrot Education
Advanced Foraging Education
Educational Focus
• Weight is beginning to stabilize and is maintained with
fewer assisted feedings (1-2 times per day of small
quantities only to provide nurturing and supplemental
consumption)
• Advanced foraging education by other flock mentors
and caregivers
• Access to mixed fledgling flight to allow more
socialization and exercise during the day
• Fledglings are now actively engaged in primary lesson
“training” and are no longer simply being desensitized
• Occupational activities and exercise will be encouraged
through play

Educational Focus
Fledglings at this stage can be
compared to children who attend
playgroups; these children can
interact with others and engage in
activities knowing that their
parents/caregivers will remain with
them.

Nurturing
Monitoring
Socialization
Desensitization
Modeling
Mentoring
Play
TOOLSStage 4 of Early Parrot Education

Housing
Fresh branches which are safe for birds as well as other types of
perches which used to be more challenging to perch on in earlier
stages can now me introduced to the fledglings after desensitization

Housing
Advanced weaning flight :
• foraging opportunities throughout
the flight, some which may require
more agility (advanced foraging skills)
•Numerous feeding and water dishes
are placed to ensure all fledgling have
access to these, despite the foraging
opportunities
•Various perches offering different
textures & size can promote dexterity,
although chicks agility will be
challenged too much if perches too
large are offered
• full-spectrum lighting can be
provided in the activity day flight

Primary Lessons
Weight monitoring is combined with vocal and visual communication to reinforce
the understanding of the Step-Up & Step down command now comfortably on and
of the scale perch.

At this stage, chick are given 1-2
assisted feedings per day if
droppings are green ( as this
normally reflects not enough
extruded diet ( without artificial
coloration) was eaten, which is
why cage liner papers are
inspected prior to each feeding
session and changed in order to
evaluate whether or not assisted
or complimentary feedings
Complementary offering of
soaked weaning granules follow
occasional syringe feeding of
hand-feeding formula in small
quantities to ensure crop will not
enlarge back to previous stages
Feeding StrategyStage 4 of Early Parrot Education

Regression to early stages of weaning occur
frequently
Cage paper is changed at
every feeding to monitor
droppings. Assisted syringe
feeding can be given
throughout the day if the
droppings monitored reveal
green feces, weight reveals a
concern or behaviour
reflects hunger- which
would mean the fledgling
has regressed.

Feeding Strategy
Primary Lessons

Feeding Strategy
• Foraging activity with caretaker can also be viewed as positive reinforcement
• After numerous years exploring and structuring a comprehensive program for early
parrot education & nutritional guidelines for optimal health , we believe there is
additional value in the caretaker’s action of foraging side by side with their companion
following a training or educational session.
• Note: This activity can be done
• 1. At a shared foraging /activity center or with a separate yet similar foraging device
• 2. Foraging for extruded granules or enrichment foods but not sharing the same
morsels.
• We feel this activity is more stimulating than simply offering a treat reward by hand,
as this positive rewarding activity is more interactive and fulfills their natural
gregarious behavior. Furthermore, the caretaker /trainer takes on the role of the
mentor.
• Food rewards should not be used as positive reinforcement until the parrot has
successfully completed all stages of the weaning process. The parrot pupil should
never be hungry nor deprived of food prior to a training session, nor lured to perform
with a food reward. Play, nurturing, mentorship & modeling are valuable tools for
successful education.

Desensitization
and education
through play &
modeling when
introducing a
foraging box, toy or
device.
Primary Lessons

Feeding Strategy
Foraging box
Primary Lessons

Feeding Strategy
Foraging Creativity
Primary Lessons

The caretaker teaches
the fledgling discovery
activities such as
searching for hidden
granules under towels,
in card board egg boxes
or paper towel rolls, etc
or shred able toys that
can be used creatively
as foraging accessories
Feeding Strategy
Foraging Acitivities
Primary Lessons

Primary LessonsStage 4 of Early Parrot Education
•Fledglings are now
actively engaged in
primary lesson
“training” and are no
longer simply being
desensitized
•The “classroom” set
up is the most
efficient way to
educate numerous
fledglings at once.
•Training sessions
are more successful
after the misting &
exercise activities.
•Fledgling must never
be deprived of food
prior to a training
sessions .

Primary LessonsStage 4 of Early Parrot Education
An extremely efficient
way of incorporating all
the EPE Primary lessons
throughout the stages is
to have all the
accessories needed
organized and within
reach when working with
the fledglings

The mentor must ensure that the fledglings are adaptable to being
handled and trained through social activity and play while at the same
time respecting the codes of conducts established with other
trustworthy handlers under supervision. Children must be supervised
and mentored carefully should they handle a fledgling, as most birds
will feel insecure if the handlers are not knowledgeable and comfortable
handling them
It may be favourable to have the
flock mentor do most of the
education and training but out
of compassion for the
fledglings, they must not
perceive this mentor as the only
provider, caregiver, guide and
disciplinarian.
Primary Lessons

Primary Lessons
The fledglings should now engage in longer misting sessions allowing feathers to
get thoroughly soaked; this will stimulate exercise & preening activity. Individuals
should demonstrate their enjoyment while misting by vocalizing and/or wing
flapping.

Individuals who do not actively
take part in the flock misting
activity should be removed
from to a quieter and more
secluded and comfortable
location and evaluated for
health. If health is not an issue
you could perhaps:
•Place them closer to the
basking light
• allow them to perch away
from a flock mates by which
they are intimidated
Primary Lessons

offering a more timid
individual a more
comfortable
environment back into
their fledgling cage can
usually aid in
reestablishing
enjoyment of the
misting and preening
activity if their health is
not a concern
Primary Lessons

Primary Lessons
Since fledglings at this stage are
more accustomed to different
sounds, the hair dryer can now
be introduced after a misting
session. The dryer simulates the
wind and encourages the
fledgling to ruffle their feathers,
an activity of which they may
grow fond.
The dryer should:
• be set at a temperature
comfortable for the fledglings
(not too hot or too cold )
• not be held too close to the
birds as the this would be too
invasive and allow them access
to the cord.
• not be Teflon coated ( recent
models) nor contain asbestos as
in older models©2005-2015 HARI, all rights reserved

Primary Lessons

Take the time to marvel at nature with
your fledglings before engaging in the
physical activity of flight training with the
harness; make sure your fledgling is
comfortable in this environment that may
be unfamiliar for those that have not had
access to the outdoors earlier. (perhaps
due to season geographical challenges or
fledgling living quarters that can not
accommodate for an outdoor flight).
Caretakers should always be close by
mentoring , supervising and protecting
the fledgling from predators or any other
potential threat. In this stage coping skills
are not acquired for many situations,
regression often occurs.
In preparation for future flight training, a flight harness is worn when chicks
are first introduced to the outdoors.
Primary Lessons

Environmental Enrichment
Desensitization and education in
the hope that the chick will learn
to enjoy sounds by exposure to
music and the radio. The mentor
reserves short individual 1 on 1
sessions, exploring various
sounds, verbal and visual
communication enhances the
experience. Flock mates can still
be seen or heard close by during
these sessions, as this is
reassuring for most fledglings
although the slight distance will
also favor attention is devoted to
the lesson
Primary Lessons

Nail and flight feather grooming can now be performed on fledglings that have
ideally developed their pectoral muscles , flight coordination and confidence.
Nails must not be groomed too much as the fledgling will not be able to perch and
may immediately loose confidence. Dramatical grooming can also lead to trauma
if the fledgling falls from its perch, or biting if the fledgling must rely on his beak
to hold onto your hand to step up . Flight feather grooming should not be
excessive either and ideally not done at the same time as the nail grooming to
allow the fledgling time to adapt.
Primary Lessons

As the crop has significantly regressed and advanced weaning stages
reached, the chick will then be able to be cradled in the towel on an
empty crop. After a peek-a-boo play time…
Primary Lessons

Desensitizing to the Towel cradling
Primary Lessons
Towel cradling is ultimately achieved when the snugly-wrapped towel
restrains the bird’s body almost by itself with the chick lying first on its side
and then gradually on its back. This type of restraint would be used in the
event of an emergency intervention.

The chick’s lessons in
desensitization gradually
lead to exploration when
offered free choice access to
a carrier. This exercise is
especially fruitful when a
foraging device or toy
hidden in the carrier.
Primary Lessons
Desensitizing to the Transport Carrier

Primary Lessons
Desensitizing to the Transport Carrier

Desensitizing to the Physical Exam
Primary Lessons

Early Parrot Education - Stage 4 - Advanced foraging education

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