HELP! MY ZOEY IS A BITER!!!

[jen_wiedemann]

About a month ago we got Zoey and Taz both Girl Lovies. Zoey is my Peach faced and Taz is my Australian Cinnamon. well when I am playing with them Zoey gets mean and bites my fingers. She seems to go after my fingers with Zealous. When I have Taz out it seems that I can love on her a little but as soon as I let Zoey out. Zoey immediately tries to bite me and teaches Taz the same tricks! How do I break Zoey from biting?????? I love these birds and want my hubby to associate with them but he wont til I break Zoey from biting!!! Argh......:confused:

[BarbieH]

Hi Jen;

The best way to teach them not to bite, is not to give them the opportunity to bite. In short, don't give them your fingers when they are playing. Use something else with them, like a dowel or another toy.

How old are your lovies?

[sdgilley]

Hi Jen,
Like Barb says, try to avoid situations where your birds are compelled to bite. I have two males and both hate hands. It isn't something I can break them of, I just don't offer my hands ever at all. Try to pinpoint what triggers a bite. I offer a dowel if I need them to step up. Training them to use a dowel takes some time and patience, but it's a good thing to teach them. You haven't had your birds for very long - work with them gently at their pace. My hen will get bitey when she's tired or hungry. When she gets nippy, I return her to her cage.

You have two females, are you sure? If you have two DNA'd females you could have other issues down the road. Two hens do not always cohabitate well, as they can be extremely territorial. In a male/female paring, the female will get hormonal and can be difficult with her male.

Having said that, There are members and leaders here on this board with females that are bonded pairs. It's just a touchy situation when they become sexually mature.

[LauraO]

Hi Jen! My suggestion is that you read through some of the other threads in this section to get a better understanding of why Zoey is biting. It's hard to say why she's biting without more information about how old your lovies are and exactly what you are doing when she decides to bite. I really doubt she is being mean as most lovebirds are not mean, but use their beak to communicate things. Just from what you posted, it sounds like Zoey is playing game and Taz just wants in on the fun :rolleyes: . I agree with the others in that learning more about your lovie, her posture and what she does before she bites is the best way to avoid them, but please remember some biting is part of lovie ownership and can't be totally avoided.

Good Luck and let us know how things go:D