Wanting to Save an IRN

[chichirae]

Hello, I am needing some advice... I have been wanting an IRN but unable to get one until my bird passed on to birdy heaven. He did this sooner than I had expected... So I have not researched them as thoroughly had I been in the market for one. Anyway the reason I am bringing this up is that there is a poor IRN at Petco in my town that is absolutley traumatized. I overheard the girls that work there saying, "how nasty that green bird is." I know he is young and is most likely freaked out and going through his bitting stage. Anyway I haven't really properly grieved my last bird but I can't help but want to save this poor guy. Also I don't want to support the sale of birds at Petco but can't stop thinking about this poor soul. Please tell me...from experienced IRN owners is this a really bad idea. I need every kind of advice about these birds I can get.

Thank you,
Chi Chi Rae

[Mikaela]

That green bird is nasty because he isnt trained and loved. Are ringnecks the easiest pet. Hell no. Worth every second? Hell yeah.

Go get that baby. We will hold your hand all the way through it. Dont believe anything you hear about a ringneck until you own one.

Can you take a bite and get over it? If so, go get that baby. It is going to bite you but so did all of ours.

We will help you, you wont be alone. And in a yr, take that 'nasty green bird' in that shop and let him poo all over everything as you show them what I wonderful bird YOU made it.

[Dani03]

Ditto on everything Mik said...get that baby outta that environment and into a loving one. No one else is going to want to even try so he will end up being switched around from store to store until they find someone to buy him

Dani

[xo Missi]

First of all I'll start off by saying I'm so sorry for your loss. Sunday I lost my irn, Baby. I feel your pain with you. *hugs*

Next, I just quit my second job working at Petco. We'll just say I don't have a good opinion of that company. I'll just leave it at that.
I will fill you in a bit on the birds, though. They do not let the the associates hold the birds to tame them. The birds just sit in the case all day, so that's why they're "nasty". Of course an irn is going to be "nasty" if not handled. We had a "nasty" sun conure at the store that screamed and when ever a manager would grab it to show a customer it would bite. This big was transfered from store to store because it would not sell. I asked the manager if I could handle it and work with it on our down time and was denied.

However, I see where you stand on whether to get the bird or not. Whether to give the company money or not. I feel if you think you can handle training and taming this irn, to fully go for it. I am all about rescuing animals no matter where they come from.

Thank God my Petco hasn't had any irn's yet...for my finance state of mind I would have to "rescue" them all!

Take your time grieving. Crying and talking out your feelings helps a load. I have not finished grieving over my fid that just passed but I am bringing home a baby eclectus this Sunday. It helps to love again.

Please keep us updated!

[Mikaela]

And we are here to listen.

[chichirae]

Well it appears that my "Nasty green bird" I purchased from Petco this morning is a sweet and scared 4 mth old baby. Thank you to everyone who told me to get this little bird. OK, now that I have her what should I do with her. She has a wonderful cage, I am going to be transitioning her to Harrison's and fresh veggies, and letting her get acquainted with the household. What is the best way to get this baby going on the right direction for her new life?

I do have some stupid questions, they said my new baby is a she...Is it not to early to tell? Or would she have a ring around her neck already if she were a boy...and does the sex not need to be confirmed with blood tests? I know she is going to be loud, but how loud is loud...African Grey loud, Sun Counure loud...what should I expect?

I need as much info as you all will give me...

Thank you again,
Chi Chi Rae

[chichirae]

My new bird is green with some black verigation is this what color she will stay or will she brighten up?

[Mikaela]

Thats exactly what he is... a scared baby. Im so happy for the both of you.

First off, start by using our search feature at the top of the page. Type in 'bite' and start there with reading threads.

Then type in 'Harrisons' and make that decision. There are more than one brand, that one is just pushed hard like some drugs are at human Drs.

Many of us like and use Zupreem as well, because we bought a 40 dollar bag of Harrison's to have our birds turn their nose up at it. I use Zupreem 'wild n spicy'. Harrison's is a good food. As is Zupreem. Your choice.

Can you hold him? Does he flee from you? If so, let him stay caged and just talk to him as you would a baby in a cradle. Move in fluid motions and speak hi-pitched. Have the door open and over him treats. If safety allows, leave the door open when you are home to prompt him to wonder out. If he does, treat him and praise him. Always hi-pitched like if you told a child 'Good Boy!'.

Ask millions of guestions. No matter how stupid they may seem because chances are I asked the same thing.

We are building trust. Making him want to be with you. Then we can move on to step up once he calms and has a few days to settle it. Does he know 'step up' yet?

If not type in 'Harrisons' 'bite' and 'step up'. That should make you feel alot better and better equipt to handle that:

'nasty ol green bird'

We promised if you purchased we wouuld be here all the way. And we will come through on that promise. This is going to be one of the most full-filling year in your life and you have no idea.

We are both jealous and excited for you. Pics pics pics!!!

[chichirae]

Thank you for being there...I have been so anxious to hear something I have been checking this page all day. And I am getting a bit scared. I have read chat areas on this site that say these birds are mean...OH, MY!!! I thought they were to be even tempered...Maybe I am just a little nervous. I do have questions that I would like to have answered such as his/her coloring. We believe his/her name is Erin or Aaron depending on sex.

1.Erin is green with a little dark maybe black coloring on her wings, is this going to be her coloring for her life or will she change with age? I am really interested in finding out what Erin might look like when she is feeling better and older any info would really make me happy. Yes, I am a little vain...

2. Erin is thin. I have tried feeding her a hand feeding formula with a syringe but is scared of it. She has only been with me for about 6 hours...but I am worried about her eating...because of her thin frame. Am I worrying to much?

3. She does set on my finger, stomach, shoulder...attacks my diamond engagement ring and flaps her wings like she is totally wigged out. I put her closer to me and she appears to settle...is this normal for her to be so flightly or is she traumatized?

4. My husband really wants to know what to expect on the noise level....What do I tell him?

I am reading this website as fast as I can to be more informed and I thank all of you for your time and I am looking forward to my relationship with Erin and you all.

[Mikaela]

Black on wings are usually an indication of a poor diet. Add tons of fresh fruits and veggies and the barring will go away.

Teach your bird to talk, not scream. When he screams dont even look at him. Make him believe as a human, you cant hear that sound. So, no use making it and they stop.

Screamers are created. Not born.

Handle him all you want but they like to go to sleep at sun set and get bitey if bothered after then. You cant hold him too much, not like a child that can be spoiled.

Its all about buiding trust right now.

And yes, you are worrying too much but thats what makes you a good mama.

[kimtoo]

I found my irns are only loud when they are ignored...some are definitely screamers though. If you go to the videos that are posted you might get an idea...I have had a sun conure and my IRN's are not "conure" loud. My african grey is pretty quiet, the IRN's are louder than he is. If you spend time with your baby, let her hang out with you and not spend too much time in the cage when you are home you may b=find that she has little to scream about! Of course, you are going to get the morning and evening chatter no matter what you do. These are wonderful birds, they need to be handled is all. My IRN gives kisses with the best of 'em!

Hope this helps-please keep asking whatever questions you have...k

[Dani03]

There is no comparsion to noise when it comes to these guys...they are in general quiet...though there are those who like to sit and scream all day...time! Take your time with your new bird...don't force yourself on her too hard the first few days...let her adjust

Dani

[Mikaela]

Loud when ignored... it has to start early... the being ignored after a scream. Otherwise it takes longer to break a screamer than to prevent one.

If that sound is ever acknowldged, your done.

Think of it as a Baby crying for attention, if you cater to that you will have a child on your hip 24/7. If you acknowledge screams... same results, bid screaming 24/7.

You cant hear them... what scream?

[chichirae]

Another question can IRN's be housed with other birds and if so what breeds? I am horrible I know but when I was purchasing her there was a cockatill that was talking up a storm and wanting my attention. If they would be compatible I would save her too.

[kimtoo]

NO!!!!!! IRN's are NOT SAFE to house (cage) with other species or even with each other!!!

[Bird crazy]

Glad to hear you gave that Erin a new home. Still a baby so can't tell if it's a boy or girl until they do the adult moult at around 2 years old. But you can have her dna tested to find out sooner.

My Nila was very quiet for a long time and he has now started his contact calling which is loud and high pitched. Like Mikaela, I have consistently ignored the sound. But as soon as he changes to a softer chirping whistling sound I go into the room doing a soft whistle chirp back to him and tell him good boy good boy. It's now become a game for him to do a loud call and he'll wait and try again and then he'll change to the softer sounds and be stretching to see if I am around the corner or not. They're smart and figure things out pretty quickly. So quickly in fact today everytime I left the room he would start to call, so now I have trained him that when he calls I will come, now I have to untrain that. Best advice, if you have better forsight than I do, start out like you intend to finish. Don't reward any bad behavior you don't want to deal with for the next 30 years.

Sue and Nila (hatch date 3/15/06)

[Mikaela]

NO!!!!!! IRN's are NOT SAFE to house (cage) with other species or even with each other!!!

I tend to feel the same way unless it is a large out door aviary. Even then, only ringecks in a cage.

[jen5239]

Congrats on the new baby! I must be the only person on here with irns that SCREAM! And I do NOT ignore my babies. But they do SCREAM and SCREAM a lot. Just depends on the day and the birds mood I guess. It's just something you learn to live with. I'm thinking my screaming is becuz I have two. When I had just Byndi she was very quiet. But when we got Remmi that's when the screaming started. Byndi was not tame at all when I got her. It's close to a year now that we've had her and we're making progress. Still can't hold her but she will perch on my shoulder. She will let me pet her but that's it. If I try to get her to step up onto a finger she'll try to bite it off. Remmi had tons of black barring when I got him. But when he had his first major moult it disappeared and he became just stunning. So that will go away. It's due to poor diet and stress. And from the sounds of it your Erin was pretty stressed. So welcome to the family and ask all the questions you need to ask. These wonderful people got me thru so much with Byndi! And I love each and every one of them for that.

Hugs,
Jen

By the way I just happed to post a video of the screaming for Mik and Dani-who try to tell me that their birds talking is annoying at times. I wanted to show them that screaming is much more annoying. So just click on this and give it a listen. Also the bird in the video I'm petting is the bird who wanted to kill us when we first got her. So with time it'll be fine. The one dated August 22 is the screaming one.... http://dropshots.com/jen5239

[Mikaela]

I just wanted to add, I know Jen. She is my friend. Byndi was such a mean bird she would come here crying and pleading for help. That was a yr ago. Things at Jens are alot different now, despite the screaming.

She DID NOT give up on Byndi (speaks volumes). Instead, her husband bought her a bird she could play with and Byndi could watch and learn.

Let it me known that Jen is one of the best moms here. We are by NO means thinking 'any screaming bird is ignored or unloved'. That is just one very small factor to consider in raising a ringneck.

If noise is a problem dont buy a bird, get a rabbit. Birds make noise, we knew that when we stood there listening to it when we were making our purchase. Only difference is, it was cute then.

[chichirae]

Oh, Ryan and I knew what we were getting into with the noise level..maybe I knew more than he...just nervous with the new baby is all. And rabbits weren't an option, I have already tried that.

Anywho, let me give you all an update. Erin after being uncovered this morning went for the food and water. She stopped of course when the house woke up but still she stayed in the vacinity. Shes also relaxed enough to preen and clean. What a difference a night makes.

[Mikaela]

I had a rabbit, reckon it didnt wanna have me because he hopped his lil **** away.

[angie]

Give her time. Work with her everyday, talk alot as you do things. Voice commands along with actions are extremely important. Every day she is safe is another day of trust gained. Slow and steady and plenty of time will see her get use to you and you use to her.

Kai was 11 months old and an aviary bird. He was tamed down and wonderful but it took a good 6 months of conitnuous work, every day.

I believe clipping is a very good part of training a new bird (this is entirely up to personal preference), so long as they have been flighted and know how to land properly etc. They become easier to handle and more reliant on you. You can let them grow their flight feathers back in the first full moult if you are pro flight.

Noise levels are usually a periodical day thing, first thing in the morning, mid afternoon and dusk.

Jens vid should give you an idea. But I think I have some I can drag up aswell if need be.

As your baby starts to mimic you and your sounds and words they seem to use the IRN wild calls less and less. Well thats how it seems with my fids. They really only use the contact call if there is what they perceive as danger around (visitors), new toys etc.

Favorite treats work well to help train your baby. Coaxing them and distracting them with treats is a great tactic. Particularly when you want to try to get close enough and have them stepup for you.

My fids adore dried out melon seeds (rockmelon and honeydew)

The ring can start coming in on an IRN at around 22 months and is fully in by 3 years. So 4 months, there is no way other than DNA test or some extreme classic behaviour that would let you know what sex your bird is.

You may already know this but some no foods for your fid are - avacado, onion, apple seeds, chocolate, anything pickled, black sunflower seeds (only grey striped if you have to give sunflower seeds at all they tend to make them aggressive), any pits from fruit like peaches or apricots and nectarines. Thats all I can think of for now.

Good luck with Erin, watching for more updates on her progress.