Need Help!!!

[alfie]

Hi everyone... hoping that someone here can help me.

I havent been on the site since i received my IRN Alfie for my birthday last year. We have now had him for a year. He was around 8 months when we got him so is now around 20 months and was hand raised by a breeder. Its just me and my partner at home, so just the two of us.

He was great for the first couple of months... loved both of us, loved hanging out, wasnt overly noisy, didnt bite etc etc.

How things have changed!!! Alfie hates everyone... he hates me and he hates everyone else who approaches him BUT around my partner he is incredibly loving. He does what i call bowing down and puts his head right back, his pupils dilate and he makes what i call 'love noises' to my partner. My partner is the only one who can pat him anywhere and Alfie just loves to be with him all the time. If i go near him, walk near his cage, walk near my partner while Alfie is on his shoulder i get snapped at. I'm at my wits end with it and really down that i am so hated by my once much loved bird. My partner didnt do anything different to me in terms of us raising him together. I've never hit him, been physical with him etc. I have on the occasion yelled at him but so has he.

The other thing is he is sooooooo noisy. Sometimes he will just screech and squwark for minutes/hours even at a time and it is so loud. I'm due to have our first baby in 4 weeks and really dont think i can handle the noise with a new baby. In fact, i know i cant!! Alfie currently lives inside with us, but ive now put my foot down and said we have to get an aviary for outside and he can come in at night if he so pleases. Do you think getting him a playmate would settle him down a little? Would a cockateil or something be suitable or do they not get a long with other sorts of birds? I really cant see myself ever getting another IRN after Alfie as he has just completely ruined my experience with them. I love to see him with my partner being so loving but feel horrible that he'll never be like that with me.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?? I'm really at my wits end on what to do and would be so greatful for any comments, suggestions!! Sorry this is so long, well done if you got this far

[sarahb]

Maybe he is going through the bluffing stage im not sure what age this happens but i think it can vary from bird to bird if it is the bluffing stage he will come good again maybe you should read up on bluffing here is a link to info on bluffing http://www.indianringneck.com/bluffing/ just my guess sounds alot like it from what you've said i would get down about it if this is the case. About the noise thing well i recently got a companion for my irn and i think she is still as noisey as usual with him here ive seen a few people post on noisey birds and have seen alot of usful info maybe u should try going through the behavior forum u should find some info and tips that may help. hope this helps and good luck

[alfie]

Thanks Sarah - i have read about bluffing... althought this would have to have been going on for at least 6 months if not longer... and i didnt think bluffing went on this long!! I could be wrong though??

Thanks for your input

[sarahb]

Yes well im not sure myself i can say im no expert or anything lol i have heard it can vary from weeks to months but like i said im no expert hopefully one of the more experienced people on here will see your post and be ablt to shed a bit more light onto the subject for you once again good luck

[pinkdevil]

The behaviour stance you are describing Alfie is doing, sounds more like an Alf-ette.
Hens bow down low, arch the back, and pupil dilation, trying to entice a mate. I think Alfie is coming into breeding mode and your partner is the 'chosen' one.
All the noise and calling out I think is Alfie calling for her man, (your partner).

If you did decide to get Alfie a birdy buddy, I would not risk a different breed as ringies can be quite nasty, even to their own kind if personalities clash. I had to remove a male I had chosen for one of my hens as she was attacking him all the time and possibly ended up killing him.

[alfie]

Hahaha to be honest... i actually thought he might be a she!! Thats so funny... ive had a great chuckle from the fact that my partner is the 'chosen one.' Do you think he hates me so much because hes jealous of me getting close to my partner??

I dont think we will end up getting him (oooops her) a buddy... i wouldnt want to risk another one getting hurt.

Thanks so much for your help.