Early Parrot Education - Stage 5 - Fledging Acquiring Independence

Stage 5:
Fledgling Acquiring
Independence
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Stage 5 of Early Parrot Education
Fledgling Acquiring Independence
 Weaning independence
 A glimpse of life outside the fledgling environment and flock
 Desensitization is facilitated by the guidance & assurance from the
mentor (caretaker)
 Visual environmental enrichment
 Training one on one away from the flock or cage mates
 Primary lessons and basic commands learnt will be reinforced
 Introduction of fledgling to new caretaker if possible
 Traveling experience, since the fledgling usually leaves the breeder at
this stage for a new companion life. .
Educational Focus

Educational Focus
Motor skills, agility and confidence have greatly improved

Nurturing
Monitoring
Socialization
Desensitization
Modeling
Mentoring
Play
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Characteristics of this Stage
Dexterity is clearly visible
at this stage. Strength
acquired in both feet
allows the fledgling to
firmly perch on one foot,
while eating morsels with
other for longer periods of
time.
Perch sizes can be smaller
at this age as the feet can
firmly grip .

Housing
Fledgling spends some time
alone in day cage to acquire
independence from flock
mates. Be aware that
“separation anxiety” can
result in regression, so daily
health assessment and
interaction with caretakers
must continue. It is
recommended to revert to
daily weight monitoring
during this time.
In addition, full spectrum
lighting can be introduced
to day cage for few hours a
day.

Housing
Fledglings can also be accustomed to sleeping alone in the night cage, ideally
the same cage that has been purchased by the future caretakers. Note: at this
young age , hormonal issues are not yet a concern, therefore using the same
dwelling for both day and night may not be associated just yet as a breeding
nesting cavity often resulting in hormonal territoriality. In a few months as the birds
mature through their juvenile age , a distinctly separate cage should be considered
to use for sleeping. This will also aid to provide versatility of lifestyle. Birds living in
a bird room as a flock may not ever need to have separate sleeping quarters and
may thrive and never associate their cage to a breeding cavity.
Undisrupted sleep is
extremely important and will
remain as important
throughout the various life
stages .Routine weight
monitoring is easy to fit into
the routine when stepping up
from the sleeping cage,
down onto scale perch in the
morning

Housing
Visual environmental enrichment
& versatility of living quarters
The fledgling cage can be brought to a
safe outdoor environment (weather
permitting).

Feeding Strategy
Weaning Independence is Acquired
The fledgling maintains its weight now
without assisted feedings, although for
some the nurturing can include
“occasionally/ very small quantities “of
hand feeding formula or offerings of soft
soaked weaning morsels, mainly when
flocking with other younger birds that are
being fed. Although it is best not to regress
the now independent fledgling by
touching his commissures or beak when
feeding or offering food that is too warm.

Feeding Strategy
Foraging activities continue to be offered away from the flock

Feeding Strategy
Although feeding enrichment will be explored more in the next
stage, fledglings that have maintained a healthy weight without
assisted feedings can be offered Tropimix

Primary Lessons
Advanced foraging sessions further away from flock, gradually preparing
fledgling that will leave clutch mates and flock to continue to engage in
occupational skills without the separation anxiety, as they have now gained
more independence and coping skills, reassured by their flock and human
mentors

Primary Lessons
Water bottle training should ensure all fledglings are familiar with
drinking from this dispenser. A water dish is still provided at all times in
their living quarters although a water bottle both in the day cage and
transport cage can be added to help keep the water quality as hygienic
as possible. Water consumption can also be easily monitored when
birds are accustomed to drink from bottles. For optimal hygiene, glass
bottles without rubber stoppers are most easily disinfected. Daily
cleaning of the bottle and spout is recommended, preferably with
routine disinfection, which can be facilitated by having a replacement
bottle.

Primary Lessons
Education for Future Breeding Individuals
Socialization & preening with younger chicks should be monitored, encouraged &
rewarded with praise and nurturing.

Primary Lessons
Supervised Interaction with other compatible
flock mates for longer periods of time during the
day when they have access to a larger day cage
or activity centre

Primary Lessons
The maturing fledgling can now be
brought to a shower away from the other
fledglings to get further desensitized to
this new environment , where it may
possibly spend time showering when it
enters its new flock and home as a
companion. Ideally the mentor should
enter the shower first with it so that it
may feel more secure.

Primary Lessons
Need to talk about nail grooming

Primary Lessons

Primary Lessons
Flight harness training outdoors- pectoral muscles have developed and
conditioned to allow for controlled flight. Motor skills are fully developed at this
stage as well as agility. Further desensitization and education of the
environment surrounding the maturing fledgling is continued in the stage with
the guidance & mentorship from the caretakers. Inspection of the harness for
proper adjustment prior to flight training will also continue to enforce the
desensitization to the physical exam. Foraging opportunities throughout the
flight session will ensure the fledgling does not get hungry, as it is now weaned
and no longer has the large crop to store quantities of food.

Primary Lessons
Flight Feather Grooming
Should you wish to groom
the older fledgling’s flight
feathers once it has
developed healthy
pectoral muscles and has
acquired flight skills,
consult our video podcast
on feather grooming
techniques.

Primary Lessons
Misting & basking is continued daily to encourage
preening and exercise

Self preening must continue to be encouraged, especially when
fledglings are allowed to spend time on their own following a misting
activity. Engaging in this activity usually demonstrates the bird is
comfortable in his surrounding and most likely healthy.
Primary Lessons

Fledglings are
gradually
introduced to
children, dogs and
other pets that are
trustworthy to be
in close proximity
to birds , always
with with extreme
caution &
supervision. This
desensitization will
gradually lead to
comfort and
curiosity.
Primary Lessons

Primary Lessons
Visual Environmental Enrichment
Visual environmental
enrichment continues
away from cage mates.
Engaging the fledgling
to watch television ,
listen to music, get
visually stimulated to
observe fish through
the aquarium glass will
help alleviate boredom
and contribute to
environmental
enrichment .

Discovery of Educational Toys
Primary Lessons
Although some toys are specifically intended for
psittacines to interact with, other toys suitable
for human toddlers can also be used with strict
supervision to awaken the senses and educate
the maturing fledgling to sounds and color. Toys
not recommended specifically for birds should
not be left with the birds to play with without the
caretakers supervision. Furthermore these
should be evaluated for safety prior to being
introduced in the educational sessions

Mentors educating the fledglings can now utilize technologies
such as Internet video communication to introduce future
caretakers. This can be especially valuable when distance or
accessibility to visit the fledgling prior to its departure to a new
home is not possible. The future caretakers can also have a
better understanding of the individuals’ personality,
relationship, interaction and education it has received , as they
can see how the mentor interacts with the bird as well. Video
footage of the flock and mentors interacting with the fledgling
can also be given to the future caretakers to be viewed along
with their new feathered companion to ease the transition,
prevent separation anxiety and guide the new mentor to
continue the education it has received
Primary Lessons

Primary Lessons
Travel Experience
 More time is spent in the avian
carrier
 This is the best time to learn new
words, especially if the radio is
playing while spending a few
minutes in the carrier
 Advanced foraging device is
introduced in the carrier
 A water bottle is offered in the
carrier
 The bird is taken for a car ride in
the carrier and returns safely to
flock

Early Parrot Education - Stage 5 - Fledging Acquiring Independence

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Early Parrot Education - Stage 5 - Fledging Acquiring Independence