Taming an aviary raised IRN that has not been handled
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 3:13 am
Hi,
I have purchased a young (not sure of the exact age) IRN a couple of weeks ago, described by the breeder as 1 week out of the nest and not handled at all.
I think it is more like 1 week out of the aviary. It has full feathers on wings, tail and body (except for a small patch of fluffy feathers on the back of it's neck). It is fully weaned and eating seed.
I tried catching and gentle handling each day for the first week with a treat, but the biting has escallated to the point of drawing blood. I do not react to the biting, simply waiting until it lets go, and continuing to talk to it in a soft voice, but I will now only handle it with a towel between it and my hand.
What method should I be using to tame it?
Thanks in advance.
Anne
I have purchased a young (not sure of the exact age) IRN a couple of weeks ago, described by the breeder as 1 week out of the nest and not handled at all.
I think it is more like 1 week out of the aviary. It has full feathers on wings, tail and body (except for a small patch of fluffy feathers on the back of it's neck). It is fully weaned and eating seed.
I tried catching and gentle handling each day for the first week with a treat, but the biting has escallated to the point of drawing blood. I do not react to the biting, simply waiting until it lets go, and continuing to talk to it in a soft voice, but I will now only handle it with a towel between it and my hand.
What method should I be using to tame it?
Thanks in advance.
Anne