...That didn't hurt as much as I thought it would...

[Kumashe]

I received my first true bite from Indy yesterday when he was perching on my hand. It was more of a hard pinch that broke the skin enough to bleed freely, but yeah, same difference. I was suprised that it didn't hurt me as much as I thought it would, but I guess that's because he hasn't chomped down on my hand yet. Although he can get onto my hand if I encourage him, he loathes my hands. Today when he nipped at me while I was bringing him and his food bowl back from the kitchen after refilling his bowl, I tried the earthquake method which worked well. I'm not sure if it'll work as well later though.

What are some other methods to deter bitting? Can you get the "Bitter Apple" spray in stores?

[linda040899]

"Best defense no be there!" (Karate Kid, original movie). Avoid the bite if possible. Hopefully, Barb will jump in here. This is definitely her area of expertise!!!!!

[Christine9]

Ouch! You must take pain well, because my lovies have bitten me a few times and it has hurt! And they didn't even bite hard enough to make me bleed.

As far as how to stop him from biting, someone probably will have better advice for you. They way I deal with biting is to learn their signals and avoid being bit in the first place.

[LauraO]

If Indy doesn't like hands try carrying him on a dowel or lift him to your shoulder. He was probably trying to tell you he was nervous.

It does sound as if you are making great progress with him if you were able to get him to the kitchen and back to his cage:) .

[BarbieH]

I think Linda and Christine have pretty much summed up the best way to prevent bites. Learn the body (birdy) language that precedes a bite, and prevent it before it can occur. :)

Also, and maybe more in tune with what Linda and Laura mentioned, be aware of what triggered your bird to bite in the first place. My Gracie was very territorial about food outside of the cage for about our first year together. I could offer her water, but if I offered her food she tried to get it away from my hands by biting them. The solution was, no food for her while she was on me.

If you identify the triggers that cause Indy to bite, and otherwise do not encourage biting, I believe Indy will learn to be out of the cage without feeling the need to bite. The goal is to reward not biting, so even when you do an earthquake to make it stop, and it's successful, praise Indy a lot. Not biting is a behavior to be rewarded. :)

Best wishes,

[sdgilley]

Hi there,
You've gotten great advice! I will only add that I've followed Barb's advice and rarely get bitten anymore. My hen, like her Gracie, will bite me good if I'm handling food in or out of her cage. I think part may be territory and part excitement over the food.

Find out what triggers the bite, as they said, and "no be there":rofl: . I've adopted that as a personal compass. :)

Good luck, and don't forget the patience.