IRN Advice PLEASE!!

[Urban_Warrior]

Hi all,

I purchased a Grey Male IRN today, I have been looking everywhere for one of these guys and I finally found one although he was 135 miles away in a cage and in a petshop!! but I had a friend who lives down there pop in and see him and he said to go for it so we drove down this morning from Carlisle in Cumbria (UK) to Manchester to get him.

when we got to the store I seen him and he was perfect. I have been told his is last years hatch although I was concerned because he has a black ring? however it's not thick and he said that they start to get the ring from around a year gove or take? however I don't know much about the breed physically just mainly through tons research.

however I noticed one of his claws his completly missing and although he is eating with that paw fine and grabbing the food ok I was wondering if the missing claw was a big deal for Freddie? (thats his name).

also I bought the food he is on and to be honest both bags contain loads of black and white seeds and I read that seeds are infact very fatty, he told me this is what they mainly eat so this is right and if not what mix should I be giving him (aswell as friut and veg)

Thanks for your time.

Dan

 

[MonicaMc]

I've heard that ringnecks can get "shadow rings", meaning it appears as if they have a ring coming in when they really don't... and that the ring will come in when they are 1 1/2 to 2 years old, or a little older.

No, it's not an issue if he's missing a claw! Many birds end up with whole missing toes and they learn to cope just fine!

Some seeds are ok, but should not be a main part of the diet. If you can't feed a healthy fresh food diet then pellets would be a great addition! Fresh foods include vegetables, some fruits and healthy grains and legumes (cooked or sprouted - large beans *must* be cooked!)

 

[Sarbear]

My IRN is about 1 1/2 years old and has no ring not even a shadow ring, which makes me think your little guy is a little older. I'm not an expert on IRN, I only own one.. But I heard they don't show their ring till they're mature 2-3 years old.

 

[khaiqha]

Yeah, shadow rings happen, I've seen IRNs who haven't even weaned yet with what looks like an almost solid black ring. The difference is that a shadow ring makes you question if the ring is there, where as there's no mistaking a real ring.

 

[Urban_Warrior]

Hi all, yes I believe I was lied to by this shop. I went 135 miles to fetch him which was a 2 hour drive there alone!! only to be lied to by the ........ anyway's he had no clue. I have tried to attach a picture of Freddie.

I am feeding him loads of fruit and veg with his diet and I am going to switch him to pellets and seeds (not sun flower seeds).

He is not tame at all but this is his 3rd day. I am not pushing him by trying to get him out however I have tried feeding him through the bars but it just walks away from me. does anyone know how and when I should be trying to start tameing him?



Dan

 

[MonicaMc]

He's gorgeous! Whatever age he is!

I've owned and cared for three conures now. My youngest is 3 years old, and the youngest I've ever had! So I'm used to dealing with adult medium birds! Well, most of my smaller guys have also been adults as well. I still love and enjoy them all the same!


If he's not tame, then I'd say to give him space, but try and find foods that he does like. Even if he wont take them from your hand, you can set up a treat dish and any time you walk near the cage drop a treat in. As he becomes more comfortable with you, you can try offering a treat through the cage bars, then through the cage door.

You may find some useful info in the following link.

Working with Fearful Parrots: A Study in Videos | Learning Parrots

 

[Pajarita]

He is beautiful and he is not grey, he's blue!

 

[kanundra]

Yep, defo a blue IRN there, and he's beautiful. Although I would say he's much older than you were told as well. I've got a young 'male' supposedly and he's not got his ring yet. But the spit of Freddy for sure.

As for taming him, might take you a good while.

Bobby wasn't tame at all either, and he was terrified if you went near his cage. The first week all he did was freak out and try and fly away from me. So changing paper, water and food was tough.

I started after the first week with these little steps. Hope they help.

Week 1

Sit as close as you can to the cage. Talk. Do things you'd normally do, read etc.

Move closer as they accept you more.

Week 2

On a daily basis, get him used to you being really close to the cage, talking to him, then place your hand on the cage. Eventually try and move it into the cage.

Bobby didn't like this at all, and I had to let him panic a little before he would settle and realise I meant him no harm. I sat there talking to him for 10 mins with my hand in the cage.

Week 3

Started offering him treats. When he wouldn't take them from me, I placed them on his lower perch, and kept my hand as close as possible. Then moved my hand closer and closer till the treat was actually on the back of my hand instead of the perch.

Week 4

He started taking treats direct from my hands.

Once this was done, I started clicker training. Each time he came down to me, he got a treat and a click.

I then moved to outside the cage, and to asking him to step on me.

Week 5

Started asking him to fly to me. Although for a couple of weeks this was tough as had to get the vet to pull some blood feathers out. So he lost a lot of his confidence.


Now he flys to me all the time for treats. But his best trick is trying to nab my dinner.

Things that he loved. Anything fresh. Grapes and Apples to start the training with, then he would take carrots and anything else. His fav at the moment is snap peas.


Baby steps and I'm sure you'll be wonderful for him, he's amazing. Our Bobby is just starting to pick up our contact whistle. And it's so fun to hear him trying to copy us. He'll soon be rabbiting away to himself all day.

Keep us posted, and good luck though I don't think you'll need too much.