Strange Behaviour

[Mathew simonds]

Hey guys,
If you didn't know, I trained up a barn owl called Ruby last October. Unfortunatly, due to an illness I had, I wern't able to fly her that week, and it was after that week, these problems started. Ruby is more of a 'my' bird, so she won't exactly fly to any one, like someone else who helps at the santuary. Well, Ruby is now one year old (end of last month), and latley, she refuses to fly, but she will still hop to the fist. She is her normal flying weight, 11oz, so I can't see what is wrong to be honest.

Any advice?

[Gozzhawk]

change the aviary , food etc . sometimes changes in routine or improving environment (enrichment) helps??????????

[Bubo]

if stress and illness has been ruled out then change your methods maybe. kadabra is 8 months and goes through periods like that. What i do now is leave his weight alone but just close down the opportunity window to fly over for his dinner. Just like in the wild, as soon as an owl spots prey he has to dash to get it or he will miss his dinner. I applied the same theory!! if he dont move quick the mouse goes!!. Just bring down the time you offer the food. if she doesnt move then just put the food away and end the session!! you will see the next time she will realise it and will move faster it works with kadabra and i have found i'm flying him with a heavier weight now. i hope this makes sense.
bubo
bubo

[Mathew simonds]

Makes perfect sense BuBo. I'll try it. But, would the fact that she is Parent Reared cause any of it?

[Finnish]

MOVED THREAD TO CORRECT PLACE :)

[Mathew simonds]

I've left it a few days now, and I'm still waiting for an answer. Could any one help please?

[HawkMan]

How much are you manning it for a day m8 ,this happens to mine if he doesnt get handled often ?
Just a thought i could be wrong in your case but mine goes stand offish if not handled enough .
All the best
Johnny

[Mathew simonds]

Well, Shes parent-reared, so she has her 'mood swings' sometimes, but she is ok usually. I've been flying her in the past, but it was because I had that one week off, she stopped flying to me.

[HawkMan]

whats her weight now m8 does she seemm ok at 11oz m8 ,is she lathargic ,
If she seems bright eyed and keen try to drop her 1/4 of an ounce and see how it goes ,do you know the birds weight where it could kill it ,

[Sprout]

Is it that she can't fly or doesn't want to? Can she fly when placed free lofted in an aviary?

[Tr1gger]

I had that problem with an owl at the centre i worked at. But like Bubo said reduce the time that she sees the food. It usally makes them faster. Have u tried that?