We just got a 8 month old ringneck 2 days ago which was used to being handled by her previous owners but since we got her home she just sits on top of her cage and when we approach her she climbs down back. Can anyone give me any advice on best way to get her to gain our trust so we can handle her aswell.
Thanks David
handling IRN
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ellieelectrons
- Posts: 2708
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Re: handling IRN
Hi David
When we got Charlie home, despite being handled by previous owners, he was scared of us. It will take some time for your bird to learn to trust you but I suspect not too long if your bird is already used to being handled. As I type this Charlie jumped on my shoulder and then flew to sit on my monitor (he hopes I'll play him a IRN youtube video).
I suggest you approach the gradual taming process with food. Find out what your bird's fav foods are by giving it a bowl full of a variety of foods and watching which ones your bird eats first. Withdraw these foods from its normal diet and use them as treats. Try to lure your bird so that it will accept treats from your hand. This may not happen straight away. Celebrate each time your bird shows interest or inches towards you. If your bird isn't confident enough to take the treat from your hand, when it makes some progress (eg. takes one step towards you or looks interested), say "good bird" or whatever you like to say when your bird does something good and put the treat in its food bowl (make sure it sees you doing it).
Alternatively, you could start clicker training.
Best wishes.
Ellie.
When we got Charlie home, despite being handled by previous owners, he was scared of us. It will take some time for your bird to learn to trust you but I suspect not too long if your bird is already used to being handled. As I type this Charlie jumped on my shoulder and then flew to sit on my monitor (he hopes I'll play him a IRN youtube video).
I suggest you approach the gradual taming process with food. Find out what your bird's fav foods are by giving it a bowl full of a variety of foods and watching which ones your bird eats first. Withdraw these foods from its normal diet and use them as treats. Try to lure your bird so that it will accept treats from your hand. This may not happen straight away. Celebrate each time your bird shows interest or inches towards you. If your bird isn't confident enough to take the treat from your hand, when it makes some progress (eg. takes one step towards you or looks interested), say "good bird" or whatever you like to say when your bird does something good and put the treat in its food bowl (make sure it sees you doing it).
Alternatively, you could start clicker training.
Best wishes.
Ellie.
Re: handling IRN
Thanks for the reply soon after I sent the message the bird flew from her cage and landed on my wife but due to her wings being clipped she could not get back but after letting her have a look around and getting use to us she climbed on my arm to go back so i think we are getting there but I understand itvwill be a slow process. This is our first ringneck so it's all new to me but coco is alovely bird.
Re: handling IRN
I agree. Hand feeding them is the best and it lets them get use to you and their new surround. My Kiwi Loves Apples!