IRN change in behavior - Need help!

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MGA828
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:55 pm
Location: Maryland

IRN change in behavior - Need help!

Post by MGA828 »

I don't post on this forum much, but need some help/advice about my IRN.

My IRN's behavior has been changing and today took a very quick turn for the worse. My IRN is a lutino 6 month old female - over the past few months when out of her cage she won't stay still and will not let me catch her. She used to always let me catch her, she would love cuddles and just hang out with me. Now when out of the cage before I can even put her on the paytop she flys away and catching her is so hard. I now have to tease her with seed or something. She still loves to get her head itches though.

Today I had her out and all was going well and we were fine together and all of a sudden she bit the hell out of me. She wouldnt even let go I put my hand in the cage and she was just hanging onto my finger with her beak unside and finally let go. Now everytime I go near her she tries to bite me.

Does anyone have any ideas what is going on here? How do I stop this bitting thing? She actually broke my skin with her bite. Why doesn't she let me catch her when she is out of her cage? Can that be changed?

Anything at all - I need all the help and suggestions I can get.
Donna
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Post by Donna »

This is basically how adolesants behave. She has become territorial over her cage and toys. Sure you can break it before it becomes a big problem. A wing clip would be where I would start. Let her come out on her own. And then take her to a place in the house that is mutural territory and she can't see her cage. She still has some growing up to do and this behavior will change if you keep working with her.


Donna
In Loving Memory
of one special husband and one special bird.

I miss you both
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MGA828
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:55 pm
Location: Maryland

Post by MGA828 »

Her wings are clipped and have been clipped from day one. She is fine if I go inside her cage - she will step ring up and and is very happy and friendly inside her cage. She let me do whatever - change food and water move around toys and perches - give her head itches, everything is perfect inside her cage.

Outside of her cage is the problem - When I bring her out she goes right to the top of her cage - can't fly, but kinda flutters. If I am taking her into my office which I do alot she will fly (flutter right off of my hand) She just won't stay still. Trying to catch her takes forever and is not easy. I always have to bribe her with seed or a treat because she will either fly away or run around.

Why is she so wonderful in her cage - and so bad out? How can I change the flying (fluttering) around and moving around outside of her cage and the catching part. It's almost like he is always on the go and full of crazy energy when outside of the cage.
Lauren
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Post by Lauren »

Its like 'I'm free, I can do what I want and you can't catch me!' Adolescents test you. They push the boundrys to see what they can get up to. I agree with Donna. Take her to a different room. I use the bathroom. Be persistent with training. Keep it up and this will pass with time. Just remember to be patient and calm but be firm. Never react to the bites. Its what she wants. :wink:
"Jibby aka Gilbert" Indian Ringneck 13 years "Charlie" Rex Rabbit 1 year
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