Indian Ringneck advice please

[CherieD]

Hello all, on Thursday we purchased a lutino Indian Ringneck (we think she may be a female) she is only 4-5 months old, she was hand fed until she was weaned and just fed after that, so she became a little bit wild. I'm trying to teach her "step up" she will only do it once in a while after she is out of the cage. I have to chase her around the cage to get her out to try to tame her a bit. Once out she will only nibble lightly on my finger but will let me pet her and touch her without aggression. Every once in a while she will make a heavy breathing sound (almost like a hiss) and strike at my hand, it's not hard and doesn't hurt at all. I don't pull my hand away or try to correct her for striking at me. She will only stay by me under my hand or under a blanket. If I uncover her she tries to fly away (wings cut). She will not take and food or treats from my hand. She moves to the other side of the cage when I go by her. I understand I haven't even had her a week, and everything is still new to her. I just want to know that I'm doing everything right or if there is something that I need to be doing that I'm not doing. I take her out at least once a day everyday for at least an hour. Any advice will be welcomed.

 

[txgreenk]

First, congrats on your new RN!! She is very pretty!! )

It will just take time for her to get used to you. My ringneck had nothing to do with me until after at least 2 weeks. I kept him in the cage until he was starting to get comfortable. I would offer food and treats through the bars of the cage. He did not like anyone sticking their hand in the cage at all! I would also sit in the same room as him often, and would whistle and talk to him. After about 2 weeks of doing all of that he started getting more comfortable with me and finally came out. Now he can't stand me to be out of sight. Haha.

Again, it will just take time for her to warm up to you. I wouldn't force her to come out though if she isn't ready. If she is flapping around her cage when you stick your hand in I would just try to open the door and see if she will come out on her own. Or even try using a stick and see if she will step up on the stick to come out.


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[SilverSage]

Agreed. Every time you chase her you are terrifying her and undoing anything good you have worked for. Be patient, work with her comfort level, and avoid any situation where you have to chase or catch.


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[Quakerella]

I also agree. Don't chase her give it time. Open the cage door and let her come out on her own. It may sound strange and probably is, but when mine were babies I would take a rag and clean the floor around the cage. They would come out of their cage and down to the floor and start chasing it. I also attached toys to the outside of the cage. Whenever I would walk by I would give the toys a little jingle. They get interested and come out to investigate. They just need time to adjust to their new surroundings.