hates fingers

[kelan]

Hi, my sweetie is about 4 months old and since we got it has never liked being touched, pet by hands, fingers and will bite although not usually hard. Sweetie is also reluctant to leave the cage if we try get her but will happily leave on her own. Once she is out she is good, and will walk on and off us, sweetie happy to take food from us, will kiss us but still backs away from hands unless she knows we are putting her back in the cage...the only time she happily will "step up"

What strategies can i do to help with this. I want her to be happy to be with us, step up when we ask. I have tried stick training but she still reluctant to go on my hand.

[ellieelectrons]

Are you using her favourite treats to get her to step up? Also, make sure those treats aren't a part of her normal diet.

Ellie.

[kelan]

yes, she loves peanuts, but her hate for my hand often outweighs the peanuts.

[winsomesmom]

Hi,
I'm a proud new owner of an IRN and had a similar problem....she hated fingers. One day just for fun, I put a glove on and asked her to step up. She did....many times and very happily. I've not gotten to the point where I can just ask her to step up onto my naked fingers and she will, but very cautiously. I think she needed something to grasp with her nails. Maybe this will help for you. Good luck!

[ellieelectrons]

Feel free to try the glove but I thought I'd let you know that when I tried to use a glove, mine completely freaked out because they were scared of it... so take it slow, go at your bird's pace and give it a try. You could try leaving the glove near the bird's cage for a few days so that they get used to seeing it lying around before you put it on.

Another possibility could be trying a towel over your hand... but, once again, there are no guarantees it won't freak them out even more.

Ellie.