IndianRingNeck.com

Sam just took a big bite out of my lip. It's not bleeding but it hurt like
hell! Yesterday, he bit my earlobe and he took a little chunk of
skin there. Why is he aggressive like this? I have had him since
July the 4th and he's been pretty good. He's only 3 to 4 months
old. I think he may be angry because I tied up the door to his
cage last night. He raised the door all by himself and walked out with
the dog out. He flew down and she came after him. I am lucky
I got there first. I'm gonna have to get a new cage but I don't have
the money right now. Does anyone know where I can buy a good
IRN cage and not spend a fortune?

Angela

Hi Sam's Mom,

How much are you looking to spend??? I understand being short on cash but I think it is wise to try and buy a good cage right up front if at all possible. Birds don't really like change too much and if you buy another "temporary cage" it might perpetuate your IRN's upset behavior.

It seems your birdie is around the same age as mine. Mine came from a store/breeder where they had her out loose all the time with other birds and tons of toys. As a result she HATES to be in small/ tight spaces and even prefers we keep the door open to her relatively large 24'' by 24'' cage. Every time we take her for trips to the vet, ect. in her small travel cage she totally freaks and it is quite apparent she is upset. I spent about 250$ on her large cage but it is durable and I expect it to be her lifelong cage.

If I were you I would wait and save up for a nice, durable, decent sized cage. Otherwise you will probably end up spending just as much or more on two cages in the long run, and make your bird equally or more upset if you have to change cages again. I found some pretty good looking new cages on ebay, but the shipping costs you just as much as it would cost to pick up in most bird stores. Hope this is some help to you...

Thanks for your advice. I can get one for $179 plus tax but I have absolutely no money and I'm afraid my dog will eat Sam if he gets out again.

Taking on a bird may require money not only in getting a new cage, but vet bills in the future if anything happens and your baby needs a vet check up.

I would start a small savings particularly for the bird if I were you. Now that you have him/her.

You could look into building one ? it may be cheaper or looking on ebay.

oh my, the dog eating him would not be good. Honestly, if I thought my dog was capable of eating my bird due to a faulty cage, I would credit that bird cage. Of course, I bought Levi's cage on credit anyway and I don't have a dog. I'm not sure how you aquired the bird, but a cage is just one of those essential things he is going to need. Good luck to you... and I hope you can get it worked out.

Sam might be bluffing. You might have to stop Sam from sitting near your face if its becoming a problem.

You need to ignore any bites from IRNs. Do not react when biten. I know, its hard to without screaming and jumping and making a scene but thats exactly what they want. They want your reaction and when they get it, they know that the bite worked. So, they keep biting. If you can train yourself not to react and calmly put Sam, either on the floor or in the cage. Then, walk away like nothing happened. That way, Sam doesn't get anything from you. I've heard of other ways like blowing in the birds face and making it loose its balance a little. I don't believe they work, they are just reactions.

It seems all little birds are angels until they settle down at home with you! haha.

Jibby used to escape from his cage at night when he was young and stir up our tiel. We tried alot of things. Pegs, Hair ties.. just to keep him in. He got through all of them. Eventually Dad bought a padlock. Lol. That worked. But we really should of bought a new cage! Dad then bought a cage big enough for cockatoo. Jibby was quite happy with that one.

I don't like the cages with lift up doors. They can easily get out through them and it can also close on them.

Angies right. Taking on a bird requires some money. Saving is a good idea. Maybe making a budget to account for bird expenses? (seed/pellets/vegies/cage/toys..) It can all add up. I got my cages off Ebay and they were atleast 200 AUD off store bought. I don't know what its like in your area. But Ebay is great. Just check the measurements to make sure its big enough for an IRN. Or do you have a 'trading post' in your area? Maybe someone is selling one through the post?

Goodluck.

If my cousin can find it, she's got a big cage with a latch and she's gonna give it to me!

Aves wrote::shock: oh my, the dog eating him would not be good. Honestly, if I thought my dog was capable of eating my bird due to a faulty cage, I would credit that bird cage. Of course, I bought Levi's cage on credit anyway and I don't have a dog. I'm not sure how you aquired the bird, but a cage is just one of those essential things he is going to need. Good luck to you... and I hope you can get it worked out.

have u thought about buying a small lock either one with a key and using that until u get enough saved for a new cage? I think that what I would do until then, then u know he can't get out