Gym Rats on Beams and Bars!
After introducing the group swings and advancing from stationary to swinging, the birds are ready for single bar swings. By far the easiest type are the ones with two cage attachment. They swing freely and even the Borders learn quickly to make them swing very high and to perch and dismount while in motion.
At that point, I installed the triangular one attachment type which will only swing back and forth with good coordination and balance. The Borders are still learning this trick but the Stafford can do it and is even comfortable with side or circular motion.
I am also training the birds to mount the gym equipment on command. The command I selected is to put my hand in the far end away from the gym equipment and near the floor and with a slight upward motion of my open palm. My goal is for all birds in the cage to fly in unison to a bar swing or beam. Presently, I can get two of the five to fly in unison to a swing so my work is still in progress.
Note: All of the Borders featured in this blog posting are the last four late June hatches!! The first photo was actually taken after these two perched on the beam upon command! It is much easier to get the birds to do the tricks than to tolerate the photo sessions!
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