My new baby

[annalese]

Just got my new IRN baby today! He was hatched on March 30th, and I am trying to decide between the names Atlas and Paris, so tell me what you think!

He was handfed, however he is a naturally shy bird and even when I was at the breeder's home he was very hesitant to step up. The ride was extremely stressful for him, and right now he is in his little travel cage (one of those little white parakeet cages) and I am hesitant to take him out to put him in his normal cage in fear of him freaking out, so he is resting in there and calming down for now. He has been preening, so I think that's at least an okay sign right? When should I start trying to handle him? I have been baby talking him all day haha and he looks at me while I am doing that, hopefully we make more progress in the coming weeks! Any tips are helpful.

Photos coming soon



Update: I just opened the travel cage to give him water and he freaked out really really badly, he was flapping wildly all over the cage and screaming.

 

[annalese]

Also want to mention that he is just hanging at the top corner of his cage, and hasn't had anything to eat or drink since 11 o clock this morning, and it is now 6 pm

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!

Here's a small slew of reading for you!

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html

And our forum on Ringnecks...

Indian Ringnecks - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Just take some deep breaths and relax, and let your bird relax, too. Stick with us!
I'm glad your're here.

 

[annalese]

Thank you so much, I really am stressing out about this a lot more than I thought I would. Is there a reason why he's clinging to the side of the cage like how he is? Is it just because of nerves? When should I move him into the larger cage? I don't want to harm him because he gets so frightened when I open the cage door, but I also want him out of the small travel cage.

 

[wrench13]

I would get him into his permanent cage fo more reason than I care to type.
After that spending lots of time just sitting next to his cage quietly talking to him
and offering treats thru the bars. TAKE YOUR TIME. Do not rush things or you will
take 2 steps forward and 3 back. Always always go at the parrots pace.
It make take 2+ weeks for your Ringneck to calm down and notice the nice
person offering yummy trreats.

 

[ChrisYNA]

Just got my new IRN baby today! He was hatched on March 30th, and I am trying to decide between the names Atlas and Paris, so tell me what you think!

Atlas, especially if it's a boy. Paris makes me think of Paris Hilton.

 

[ChristaNL]

Atlas, especially if it's a boy. Paris makes me think of Paris Hilton.

My sentiments exactly!
(Horrible person that really ruins the name.)

And Yesss, larger cage ... definitely.
(if this bird can eat all by itself)
The more options they have to get away from you (at first anyway), the less stress.
Less stress makes for more calm moments = trainingsoptions.

You are correct in that you want your bird as stressfree as possible - good start!!

Now let him/her settle in.



I forget who wrote it here first (one of the more experienced parrotpeople) but *every* interaction you have with your bird is a form of training.
(so even whislting from another room!)
.

 

[annalese]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I have since moved him into the large cage. At what point should I be worried if he doesn't eat?

 

[ChristaNL]

Oh, great question...

the problem is he probably will eat...when you are not around/ watching.
(borrow a baby-cam? so you can keep een eye on things )

The most reliable way is to weigh your bird, but yours not being that tame yet will make that a bit difficult.
(Recommended time is after the big morningpoop - before breakfast/ but als long as you always weigh at the same time of day you probably will be fine)

small birds: you can weigh bird+ cage, but that is scary as well and you have to make sure there is no extra weight in the cage (waterbowls, gunk on the bottom etc.)
Not very practical or very precise.

Make a photo of the food bowl when you place it in, and another if you take it out.
Do the same for the bottom of the cage... and compare.

 

[EllenD]

Congrats on your bird! I'm glad you got him into his big cage, he'll probably be a bit skitterish inside of the cage for a while, he may cling to the bars or stay in one spot for a long period of time, he may not play with his toys just yet, etc. He's just as nervous as you are, and he needs time to settle-in to his new home, his new cage, and yes, his new person. If he was hand-fed but not handled much by the breeder since he weaned, which happens a lot, then it will take a while for you to get him again used to hands...The best way to start that process is to offer him treats from your hand, and once he's eating from you hand then you can ask him to "step-up", and go from there.

As for him eating and drinking, you'll probably have to do what Chris suggested above, and that's looking for poop in the next day or two, that is unless you do see him eating. They typically do it when we're not looking, lol, but the poop gives it away...

Also, what are you feeding him? If it's seeds, then a dead-giveaway that he's eating are the shells either on the bottom of the cage or back in the bowl...

 

[SilverSage]

I’m so sorry the bird is being nervous, and I’m glad you got him into his cage.

And yes, you need to make sure he eats. Chances are you need to be out of the room for long periods for that to happen, with the light on. Go run your errands for the week, go to work or school etc. The above suggestion of taking a photo is excellent.

What was the breeder feeding? When you leave, leave seeds, pellets, watermelon, grapes, canned or frozen corn, apple slices, etc as well as multiple dishes of water. Make them tempting. He should take advantage once you have been gone long enough. I know it’s tough but seriously leave and don’t come back for at least 8 hours.

Here is my Ringneck-specific taming article

http://www.silversageaviaries.com/tamingyourringneck-1/


Don’t be afraid to keep reaching out!


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[annalese]

So I just got back from work and he ate almost all of the food in his bowl! It is a mix of pellets and seeds, since that is what he was weaned onto, so I just mixed the pellets and seeds together in the bowel. I will start doing rotations soon, so he can't only eat the seeds and leave the pellets.

I think his personality is just nervous, because at the breeder's home he was taught to step up and actually stepped up onto me, but he was scared when he did it and just wanted to go to his mom. (the breeder)

Thanks so much again for everyone's advice! He is a DNA tested male, by the way.

 

[ChristaNL]

Glad to hear it!

Another succesfull step- you guys are doing great!

(I will shut up now - not a ringneck-expert -> they fly over my house every morning&afternoon and that is about all the contact I've had with the species/ apart from seeing them on expo's, markets etc.)

 

[SilverSage]

That’s great! That’s the scariest thing when they don’t want to eat, but now you can take a breath and get on with the taming!


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