IndianRingNeck.com

Hi all,

I just need some advice for my baby.

I purchased him a week ago from a breeder but I'm doubting what they have told me.

I was told he was a lot older than i believe he actually is and that hand feeding would help with bonding..

He still hasn't got all of his feathers and is still handfed 3 times a day.

He eats fine, is growing well and looks really healthy!

I have searched and found pretty much everything else i wanted to know in this forum (it is really great)

What i am worried about however is whenever i get him out to feed him he chirps constantly. He chirps even after he is full and does not stop until he go's back to bed and gets settled with his teddy.

I try to comfort him before and after feeding, talk to him quietly let him sit on my stomach with a tea towel over him give him little pats and kisses.

Im just wondering if anyone knows what this means?

I know he is not still hungry as his crop is nice and full and he refuses food.

Is he too young to be trying to spend time with?

What should i do to have make sure that he is comfortable with me?

I just don't want to do anything wrong by this little bird.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

(also im not sure if he is a he or a she)

Sorry to hear you have been treated so badly by the breeder. That "handfeeding to make a bond" is rubbish and a con, I've have 2 irns, I have handfed neither, in fact one was never even hand fed, both like me and my boyfriend better than any other humans in the world.
What part of the world are you in? Where I live it is illegal to sell unweaned altricial birds.

My advice is take it back to the breeder and tell them that you will pick it up when it is fully weaned and has been socialised with it's own species as it weans. By doing this, you are not only helping yourself and your bird, but it might even help other birds that breeder wants to sell in the future too. Maybe the breeder is ignorant? Our first bird has problems because of the diet the breeder fed his parents, we told her after the avian vet we took him to told us and she has made some changes.
btw we got both of ours at 3 months old and in hindsight we realised we got them earlier than we should have. We regret they did not spend more time post-weaning with a flock of irns. We are ignorant.

Hand feeding parrots is a specialised skill and NO parrot benefits from growing up without the company of its own species.


Regards,

Claire

hi chester,
I wouldn't worry! The chirping is TOTALLY normal. I had the same concerns with my baby only a few months ago. Its a noise they make as babies, and they grow out of it usually close to the end of weaning.
I think its great that you are making an effort to interact with him now! I have to ask, how feathered is he/she? Does he have mostly pin feathers, feathered with some bald patches etc. Depending on his age I might actually start trying to introduce fresh foods as well. I recommend trying baby food (only with all fruit/vegetable ingredients. Avoid ones with added sugar, salt.) I warmed it up and fed it to my IRN the same way I fed formula and he loved it
I'm not an expert but this is my knowledge just from experience and research.
Best of luck with your baby bird!