introduction

[tombrady]

Hi I'm Tommy I just adopted a 15 yo blue and gold and her mate the previous owner didn't know his age

 

[tombrady]

the previous owner could handle Harley and Toby but he did put on a long sleeve coat and wrap his hand before doing so they seem nice will take food from me but also seem eager to bite should I continue to use this method to handle them

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forums, Tommy.

We need a bit more info on those birds. Are these birds a bonded pair (male and female)? Were they breeders? How are they set up, how big is their cage?

Do you have any experience in handling big macs?

 

[tombrady]

newly adopted macaws

My Macaws are biters the previous owner used a heavy coat and wrapped his hand when handling them. I don't want this to continue they will take food from my hand and seem to like attention my male will take food and try to bite you pretty much instantly. should I continue to use this method to handle them for now.

 

[tombrady]

I do not have experience with macaws I was raised around goffins they have a large cage thier owners were not breeders they told me they were male an female but have never bred. the owner told me they were getting rid of them due to his wifes illness I felt he was eager for them to go he didn't give me allot of info and sent me on my way with them

 

[ZephyrFly]

Wendy is right, we need a bit more information in order to help.
If they're a pair previously used for breeding it'll likely be a struggle to socialize them along with teaching them other basic pet/companion behaviours. Plus how experienced are you with Macs? The more you have the better and easier you'll find all this.

Edit. Sorry, you replied while I typed this out.

 

[tombrady]

they were not breeders they said they had to let them go for health reason both birds like attention. Tobey the male talks to us but he is also the most aggressive

 

[ZephyrFly]

I'm very inexperienced with parrots, let alone macs. But from what I know of other animals that does sound like the 2 are bonded and the male is being protective of the female. You say the male talks but is aggressive, what is the female like? How big is their cage with you? Are they cage bound for now or do you let them out? and for how long if you do? What kinda diet do you have them on? You said you just adopted them, how long have you had them?

 

[JerseyWendy]

It's unfortunate that you don't have more of a background on them. Oh well, nothing you can do about that.

How long have they been with you? What diet are they on? Are they preening each other, and generally seeking each other's company most of the time? If so, they are most likely a bonded pair, and turning them into 'pets' will be quite challenging.

Macaws are pair-bonded birds, and they make for life, so I wouldn't recommend you separate them - or you'll end up with very unhappy birds.

Do you know with certainty that you have male & female, or is the previous owner only guessing?

Do you have pictures you could possibly share with us?
http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

 

[tombrady]

He told me they were dnad they do preen each other I just got them yesterday They both seem to like the attention Harley he thought the female comes up and puts her beak as far through the cage as possible like she wants you to pay attention to her already spoiled with treats thinks she has to eat whenever she sees me eating I will take some better pix and post them today thanks

 

[tombrady]

I am thinking I should use gloves instead of covering my hand with a towel to see if they will get used to my hand in the cage

 

[thekarens]

I am thinking I should use gloves instead of covering my hand with a towel to see if they will get used to my hand in the cage

Most birds are afraid of gloves, so don't be surprised when they attack it and be aware they are strong enough to break your fingers.

 

[tombrady]

she is much nicer will even let you touch her a little and plays with you with a rope toy i found they both like had to take it away untill i go out later and buy a second one they fight over it