I have just purchased a 3 and half week old IRN from a well known bird shop. I'm currently hand feeding him and keeping him in a box. I was just wondering if its normal for them to be quite scared when i open the lid of the box. Im also curious if theres a limit i should be holding him?
When will i be able to tell the gender of the baby?
Thanks
New IRN owner:)
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McmillanBirds
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:39 am
- Location: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Re: New IRN owner:)
Hi Keiri
The ringneck should settle down after a few days. They become nervous when their environment changes when they are young and come right after a few days. When I sell my babies(at 4 weeks and older), I generally tell the people that it will take a few days before they start eating properly from them and settle into their new homes. When I got my girl 9years ago the breeder neglected to inform me this and I couldn't understand why she was so scared and would barely eat(she was between 5 and 6weeks old). Then 2 days later it was like the sun coming out and she couldn't get enough food.
I suppose there is no limit to handling, but remember they are like babies and 'sleep/rest' a lot. They like dark spaces too until they are about 6-7weeks old, then they become adventurous and start exploring.
I hope this helps a little. I know the guys I am handrearing at the moment(from 2 and a half to 3 weeks old) don't like sudden and loud noises, they start 'growling', but once they become more accustomed to you and a household environment versus an aviary environment they do more calling for food(my 4 week old babies) than anything else
Carmen
The ringneck should settle down after a few days. They become nervous when their environment changes when they are young and come right after a few days. When I sell my babies(at 4 weeks and older), I generally tell the people that it will take a few days before they start eating properly from them and settle into their new homes. When I got my girl 9years ago the breeder neglected to inform me this and I couldn't understand why she was so scared and would barely eat(she was between 5 and 6weeks old). Then 2 days later it was like the sun coming out and she couldn't get enough food.
I suppose there is no limit to handling, but remember they are like babies and 'sleep/rest' a lot. They like dark spaces too until they are about 6-7weeks old, then they become adventurous and start exploring.
I hope this helps a little. I know the guys I am handrearing at the moment(from 2 and a half to 3 weeks old) don't like sudden and loud noises, they start 'growling', but once they become more accustomed to you and a household environment versus an aviary environment they do more calling for food(my 4 week old babies) than anything else
Carmen
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McmillanBirds
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:39 am
- Location: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Re: New IRN owner:)
I forgot to add, you will only be able to tell the sex of the baby when it is 2-3years old. If it is a male it will get a dark ring, unless it is a lutino/creamino, it will get a red ring, or albino in which case it won't get a ring at all.
The only way to tell the sex of the bird earlier is to get it dna or surgically sexed.
The only way to tell the sex of the bird earlier is to get it dna or surgically sexed.
Re: New IRN owner:)
Thanks so much:) even after a night I saw big difference, I think he got a bit scared from the 2 hr car trip home. His surprisingly eating really well and when I take the lid off his box he pokes his head out to look around.
Re: New IRN owner:)
Hi and welcome to the site!
