Giving my girl a friend?

[joshnhanz]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and chasing a bit of help. I have a 2yr old very noisy female green IRN on her own in a cage and she was purchased hand reared but has always hated my guts but loves my hubby to bits. Over the last year or so he has worked away a lot and so now she only lets him pat her through the cage (indoor) and will bite him if the door is open and he tries...she tries to bite me even just walking past so I don't connect with her at all sadly. They still have a connection though but with him being away so much now I was thinking of getting her a cage mate so she isn't alone the majority of the time especially coz she wont let me near her...I wasn't sure if a solo female 2yr old IRN would mix well with her own gender or the opposite gender or even another species....

I would love so,e help or experience as to if I should get her a mate or not, and if so, what type of mate I should go for?

Thanks in advance,
Hana

[ellieelectrons]

Hi Hana

I'm sorry to hear about your relationship with your bird - that sounds really disheartening. Does your bird take treats from your hand through the cage bars? Will she still try to attack you if you try to give her a treat?

If I were you, I'd be looking to give her some more stimulation whilst she is in her cage. I think starting her on foraging / increasing foraging would make a huge difference with her. My girl would sometimes bite us when offering her a treat until I started her on foraging. I recommend you take a look at these links:
http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... 01&p=69400
http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... =4&t=13466
http://www.parrotenrichment.com/ - this site has some free ebooks to download

Whereabouts are you located in the world? It is currently breeding season in the southern hemisphere, so this could be affecting your bird's behaviour too. Some females behaviour can be really difficult to manage during the breeding season.

The way you have described your bird reminds me of the case study example given at the end of one of Barbara Heidenreich's DVDs "Parrot Behaviour and Training #1". She shows how they used positive reinforcement and training to change a bird from a biter. I think you'd really get something from it. Many pet stores sell it, or you can purchase it from her website directly: http://www.goodbirdinc.com/parrot-store-dvds.html

As to whether to get her a cage mate, I personally think it would be better to work on her relationship with you guys before getting a second bird. Ringnecks, especially female ones, can be rather selective when it comes to a mate - they may not accept another bird. Female ringnecks are also known for being aggressive during the breeding season. Females have been known to kill other females and sometimes males too. If you do decide to get a second bird, introduce them really slowly (a period of months). When we introduced our two, the male started off in a separate cage in another room and we gradually let them see each other, then put their cages closer together, then supervised out of cage play time. When we finally put them in the same cage, we did it over a weekend when we would be home the whole time to check they weren't killing each other. We also completely changed their cage around to try to prevent any territoriality. This approach worked for us.

Best wishes.

Ellie.

[joshnhanz]

Thank you for the reply, there is some great information and hubby is looking forward to trying those tricks out. I am the one who feeds her everyday but she is so aggro to me. When the door is shut if I just walk close enough she leaps forward and makes her aggro noise but when the door is open she sits at the back...getting the food bowls can be a nightmare sometimes haha. I have tried to feed her but she really does try take my finger off for being near her cage as she doesn't seem to want to actually leave her cage, she just roams in or on it so it could be a territorial thing. My partner can hand feed her out of the cage but she still runs from his hand he tries to pat her or put his hand anywhere near her. Through the cage though he can pat and scratch her and she makes the cutest noises and puffs her Chest out and they have cute little conversations so they at least have a connection worth trying to save. I don't think she will ever connect to me, which is fine because I understand birds can be quite selective. We are in Australia so yes it is spring time and mating season, but this behaviour has been going on for months now. I will be sure to let you know how I go. Thanks again. Hana.

[ellieelectrons]

Hi Hana

I wouldn't give up on your relationship with your bird. My female definitely has a soft spot for my husband but still responds well to me. Even if he is her chosen one, you can still be a part of her flock. What does her diet consist of?

I would keep offering her treats through the bars when you walk by her cage - make sure you keep your fingers away from where her beak can get you. Offer it slightly away from where she is sitting, so that she has to come to you for the treat. If she doesn't come to you, make a big show of you putting it in her food bowl so she can eat it later.

Ellie.

[ellieelectrons]

On breeding behaviour, our started in July and I expect it to last until November/December.

Ellie.

[InTheAir]

Hi Hana,

I totally agree with Ellie that you can improve your relationship with your bird. I am also not the favourite person for our bird (who is male, young and not at all aggressive, so not a great example for this thread) so I am the one who does extra nice stuff, like give him the best treats, take him in the shower etc.
Perhaps you could put a coup cup in an easily accessible spot so you can drop one of her favourite small treats in it every time you walk by.
I'm pretty sure the way to a ringnecks heart is through its stomach.
They are very complex little creatures and it takes a lot of time to change your relationship with them, but considering your bird could be with you for another 20 years it is worth it.
The video Ellie suggested is a good starting point.

Regards,

Claire

[Dixie-1]

Hi hana I agree on not giving up go for the treats and just take it slow.