Bad Habit

[~Tucker~]

How would you guys deal with a female lovebird biting when you reach your hand into the cage?
Peachy is VERY territorial and it becomes a big event 'getting her out of the cage'. Skittle, my friendly lovebird is also beginning to become slightly grumpy lately. Is it possible he is mimicking Peachy's behaviour?
Now, her bites HURT! They draw blood and REALLY are painful. She tends to go to the bottom of the cage when I come to get her and will ATTACK, yes, ATTACK me!
Any suggestions?

~Tucker

[Mummieeva]

If she is biting when you try to get ehr let her come out on her own. Just open her door and she will come if she wants. I try not to stick hands in cages if I can help it.



Steph

[~Tucker~]

So should I not be putting my hands in their cage?
I should use sticks instead? The only thing is she wont get on the stick, she will attack it.

~Tucker

[butterfly1061]

Females can get very territorial about they're home (cage). I have a female who bites and draws blood if she's in a territorial mood and I try to get her out of her cage. Now I open the door and let her come out on her own. I don't use anything to get her out. When she's out, then she will jump into my hand and she's usually fine. :2cents:

[BarbieH]

I agree with all the replies. I too have a hen who can be very nasty about her cage, and anything else she perceives is hers.

Leave the door open and let her come out on her own. She may not be ready for large, open rooms yet. Does she come out with you regularly now and perch on you? Have you handled her before, and now this is a new thing?

[~Tucker~]

I have handled her a little bit, though she is so much work :(.

I can't take my eye of her as she tries to crawl or flutter to my shoulder and once there... Ugghh. She makes clucking noises and acts all proud. When I reach up to take her off, she nibbleds my ear warningly. And she bites, and hard. I have to spin around really quickly to get her to fly off my shoulder.

When someone comes near the cage (if I have left the door open), then she runs back inside and puts up her 'hackles' threateningly.

Once she is one my finger she is pretty good, it's just getting and keeping her there.

I have another question if you don't mind. At the beginning of her life, the old people never clipped her wings. Now, even with her wings clipped, she can fly really far. Because she never wants to be with me, she will try and fly to a high piece of furniture of her cage. If we continue routinely getting her wings clipped, will her flight slowly become like my other bird's, who has been clipped his whole life?

~Tucker

[butterfly1061]

I have handled her a little bit, though she is so much work :(.Tucker, My Olivia was alot of work too. I bought her in December and she's just now becoming a "not so nasty" hen. She can become nesty and bitey in an instance. Remember: Patience, patience, patience. I know it can be trying, but in the end it's worth it :)

[kimsbirds]

Howmany of her flight feathers were clipped? If it were just a few and she's still a very strong flyer, you might consider a couple more cut from each side. Some need just 3 or 4 done, others are closer to 6!
Kimmie

[~Tucker~]

I normally clip her wings and clipped more then usual last night. It seemed to help :).
Butterfly, I know. I should handle her more :(. I will take her out more often.
Already, I have 3 wounds, LOL. All of them bled too!

Humph. LOL.

~Tucker

[Mummieeva]

My Baggy was a very bitey hen. My fingers were evil to her and she bite them every chance she got. But they will calm down some. Jsut takes time at patience. I almost got Baggy a new home once I was so fustrated. But I stuck it out thanks to this board and I am very glad. SO your not alone here dear.





Steph

[LauraO]

How would you guys deal with a female lovebird biting when you reach your hand into the cage?
~Tucker
I would not put my hand in the cage:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: .

Seriously, hens can get VERY territorial about their cages or places they deem their nest. The best thing to do is to get her away from the cage and she will likely stop biting. My hens are stick trained and if they get bitey when I want them out of the cage I have them step up on the stick and they are fine once they are out. You might also move the contents of the cage around and possibly move where it's located in the house. This might help as well.

Just be thankful your little lovie hen has decided to crawl down the front of your shirt and get nesty there :eek: :eek: .

[~Tucker~]

Just be thankful your little lovie hen has decided to crawl down the front of your shirt and get nesty there .

Did I say she did?
If so, sorry, I meant Skittles :rofl: .

I suppose I should stick train her. When I try to get her to step up on the stick, she attacks it.
~Tucker

[linda040899]

Tucker,
I think Laura meant be thankful that your lovie has not decided to crawl down your shirt and be nesty there! Believe me. Several of our members here have had that experience! :eek:

[BarbieH]

Keep on trying with the stick. Get it right up to her legs and give a little nudge so she is ever so slightly off balance and has to step up onto the stick. When she does, praise her, even if it's only for a second or two. Repeat.

I don't care if my birds get mad at the dowel. It's better than them taking it out on my fingers. :eek:

[~Tucker~]

Haha... Okay. My male is a snuggler and loves going down shirts.... I can't imagine what would happen if Peachy got down there...
*shudders*

BarbieH, she puts her head right down, so it's hard to get her off balance. Should I start with her out of the cage?
Then progress in?

~Tucker