New Lutino irn

[yellowralph]

Hi,

Just purchased a 9 month (possibly 8 month old) irn today, I had been contemplating getting a parrot for quite a while now and decided on an irn due to their colors and general good comments/reports on their temperaments.

I took mine home (lets call it a him at the moment, Im still unsure as to its sex), he was quite frightened at first but then settled within a few hours to the new cage and new home, his wings are clipped (the pet shop had clipped them already) and hes a little bitey at the moment though he doesnt bite hard at all (well through the gloves it doesnt hurt ), ive fed him capsicum and apple pieces, although have removed the two pieces i had in the cage since i figured only a bit a day.

I was wondering at nights should i cover the cage in a cloth since we have a corridor light on nights (its quite dim and only provides a little light)?

And I have done a bit of reading about taming and its contrary to what the trainer at the store told me, she said to take him out and get him used to being handled as opposed to just trying to coax him out of the cage.. I suppose the method would have to depend on the birds temperament.

My brother has suggested Clamps for his name (from Futurama one of the mafia robots), im thiking simpons-esque also either Ralph (Wiggum) or Bitey (homers possum).

Anyways I will try and post a picture soon.

<edit>

</edit>

Later All

[Maize]

I also have a lutino IRN (female..)
She clucks like a chicken, and pays more attention to human males, although she will still step up for anyone, including strangers.
She has gone through her first molt, and lost all of her tail feathers.
Enjoy your new companion (by the way, I hope you chose Bitey as the name...)
Denise

[Mikaela]

If I may offer some advice... no gloves please. I know the bites hurt and I too used a golf glove at first until I was taught better. As long as you use the glove you are sitting back the day he or she becomes tame.

My bird bites when I try to get her out of her cage mostly, therefore, I use a 'step up' stick and she likes that WAY better. Try it, saves you bites and the birdie stress. I was pissed about the whole glove thing too but believe me/us it is NOT a good technique.

No gloves and no covering the cage at night with an Irn. Hope this helps. You gotta take the bites, just part of it. That glove is setting you back more than words can say.

You arent doing anything 'wrong' so dont take it personal. This is what the board is for, so we can all share and learn. Glove goes in the garage today K? Promise? Dont shoot the messenger! When I was told to put my glove away I wasnt too happy either. Mostly because my bird rips when she bites (she gets you and rips away without letting up on her pressure) OUCH! Draws blood easliy but those days are fewer and fewer.

Btw, your bird is gorgeous You think it's a boy or a girl?

[Melika]

Gloves are very controversial in the parrot world, lol. I believe it can be alright to use them. Simply because of this fact:

A bird who only knows gloves would be terrified of hands.


So it stands to reason a bird may bite a gloved hand. That's better than biting my finger! It's difficult not to jerk your hand away and get angry when you get bitten. With severe cases, you need to be in a position to stand firm and not show fear.

I certainly wouldn't try taming a wild parrot without gloves.

When I was working with my very aggresive 'tiel (Killer, aptly named) I used gloves at first, graduating to one glove on (the one he stood on) and one glove off. He still doesn't like to be touched but he showed more progress in one week when I began using gloves than the whole six years of not wearing gloves.

When a bird lives through an experience, they are less afraid the next time. It's a basic rule in animal training. The dog may be terrified of the see-saw (teeter to agility fans) but after a few times living through it they walk all over it. Same rule for the bird.

A bird that is biting from fear though could be set back by the introduction of gloves. Most IRN's aren't biting from fear. Hane certainly doesn't. He has a confidence all his own, strutting his stuff and trying to fend off "intruders". I've never met a young hand-raised bird afraid of me.

I can't say I don't approve of gloves in this case. Clamps may learn that biting does no good and give it up. Who knows.

[yellowralph]

If I may offer some advice... no gloves please. I know the bites hurt and I too used a golf glove at first until I was taught better. As long as you use the glove you are sitting back the day he or she becomes tame.

My bird bites when I try to get her out of her cage mostly, therefore, I use a 'step up' stick and she likes that WAY better. Try it, saves you bites and the birdie stress. I was pissed about the whole glove thing too but believe me/us it is NOT a good technique.

No gloves and no covering the cage at night with an Irn. Hope this helps. You gotta take the bites, just part of it. That glove is setting you back more than words can say.

You arent doing anything 'wrong' so dont take it personal. This is what the board is for, so we can all share and learn. Glove goes in the garage today K? Promise? Dont shoot the messenger! When I was told to put my glove away I wasnt too happy either. Mostly because my bird rips when she bites (she gets you and rips away without letting up on her pressure) OUCH! Draws blood easliy but those days are fewer and fewer.

Btw, your bird is gorgeous You think it's a boy or a girl?

Hi Mikaela, Im not sure if its a boy or girl? Is there any way to tell at this stage? I *think* its a girl... However I cant be certain.. Would be nice for my first ring neck to get a ring on its neck though... hehehe

I will try and put the gloves away... At present its hard specially when I try to fit it in its flight suit... It gets extremely viscious when it cant move out to get away.. But more handling and it will mellow out.

[yellowralph]

Gloves are very controversial in the parrot world, lol. I believe it can be alright to use them. Simply because of this fact:

A bird who only knows gloves would be terrified of hands.


So it stands to reason a bird may bite a gloved hand. That's better than biting my finger! It's difficult not to jerk your hand away and get angry when you get bitten. With severe cases, you need to be in a position to stand firm and not show fear.

I certainly wouldn't try taming a wild parrot without gloves.

When I was working with my very aggresive 'tiel (Killer, aptly named) I used gloves at first, graduating to one glove on (the one he stood on) and one glove off. He still doesn't like to be touched but he showed more progress in one week when I began using gloves than the whole six years of not wearing gloves.

When a bird lives through an experience, they are less afraid the next time. It's a basic rule in animal training. The dog may be terrified of the see-saw (teeter to agility fans) but after a few times living through it they walk all over it. Same rule for the bird.

A bird that is biting from fear though could be set back by the introduction of gloves. Most IRN's aren't biting from fear. Hane certainly doesn't. He has a confidence all his own, strutting his stuff and trying to fend off "intruders". I've never met a young hand-raised bird afraid of me.

I can't say I don't approve of gloves in this case. Clamps may learn that biting does no good and give it up. Who knows.

I take your point. I just handled clamps and when it doesnt like to be touched it will screech at me and *bark* for a bit. When the gloves are on and I try to pet/fit it in the flight suit... No screeching before or after the fact... Mind you PLENTY of biting... Must discourage this...