IRN question

Stlcrtn

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Indian ring neck
Green cheek conure
I have a 2 year old male. I knew before I got him that iRNs are a little more difficult. He is loving, however he will suddenly bite very hard for no reason. He has bitten the upper lip of both my wife and my daughter. He also isn't a fan of his cage. We have a play pen perch that we keep him out on for most of the day the problem we are having (other than the biting) is he screams incessantly. He will scream about every 5-10 seconds for long lengths of time. His perch is in our living room, and he constantly flies down to try to get to us. That isn't really a bad thing, but my wife and daughter are shell shocked from him biting their faces. We are at our wits end with the screaming. We love him and don't want to see him go, but the only way we can quiet him is to put him in his cage in the other room. We don't want him to be sequestered in his cage all the time.
 

SilverSage

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Ok, birds don't bite "for no reason" so the trick is to find the reason.

1) has he had a well birdy vet visit recently? Including gram stains and blood work? Illness often causes both aggression and screaming in otherwise pleasant birds.

2) is he biting to be mean or is it that he doesn't know how hard is too hard? Dies he bite when he feels ignored? When they move too fast? When they give someone else attention? When they have something he wants? When something that frightens him angers the room? When they try to remove him from the shoulder? There IS ALWAYS A REASON you just have to find it. In the mean time, birds that bite faces don't get shoulder privileges.

2) as for the screaming (actually the biting and cage hating as well), what is his diet? Meals or free feeding? What is his cage setup? How much out of the cage time does he get every day? What are the coming out and going in rituals? What sorts of toys does he have and which are his favorites? Is it possible that something near his cage frightens him? Where is his cage located in the house?

Also, it sounds like you have only ONE out of the cage perch and it is located up high somewhere? No play gyms or portable perches so he can be near you without being on you?


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Stlcrtn

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1- he has not been to the vet recently, but we did have an issue early on where he had a sinus infection. That was treated, and he seems better.
2- his aggression and bitting is focused more around not getting what he wants. It can be anything really...food, location, cell phone (he likes to talk to himself).
He is not a shoulder bird at all because of the bitting. We have several perches set up around the house but only one main on that has food and toys.
3-his main diet are pellets, but he has a healthy appetite and eats almost anything. And seem s to be an endless pit!
I am home all day, so he is out of his cage most of the time except when we are gone or sleeping. Although his screaming has gotten worse, so to save my sanity I will put him in his cage which is in our bedroom and shut the door. I don't like to do this and always feel bad.
His play perch is located in the living room, and I can roll it around when I'm busy so he can see me from most angles.
He loves us, and we love him however sometimes his attachment seems obsessive. ( if that's the right way to say it) so it come s out as screaming when he wants to be with us instead of sitting across the room. Which would be fine if he would sit still and not bit when he doesn't get what he wants. He's bossy lol!
Maybe he needs more enrichment, but Ive tried so many things and nothing holds his attention for very long...
 

SilverSage

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Ok, well if the biting and screaming aren't new then I wouldn't think it's a vet issue if he has been seen, evaluated, and treated for another issue while this has been going on.

Good; you know the REASON for the biting. Now you need to teach him that it doesn't work. My suggested method is that when he bites you do not react by yelling, flailing, or any other "fun" reaction that might amuse him. Instead, instantly drop him on the ground and walk away. When he comes back to you you can pick him up again, but the dropping needs to be INSTANT. It would also be wise to avoid holding him and things he wants at the same time.

Ringnecks do well with pellets as a main diet but they really need veggies and fruits as well. Particularly orange, red, and yellow ones as well as leafy greens. I would incorporate those right away which will greatly add to his enrichment. I also suggest sprouts when possible. Not only are these important additions to the diet but foraging toys or even just knowing that baby carrots, apple slices, etc can be found, can keep a nosy piggy (I mean ringie!) busy and happy for much longer than a toy that doesn't taste as good :) using up that mental energy relieves enormous amounts of their frustration.

Below, Irns enjoying fresh food and foraging toys, as well as a link to my "how to" on sprouting.
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It sounds like your screaming problem is two fold; he is bored and he feels ostracized from the flock.

He really should have as many "play stations" as possible so that wherever you are he can be close by AND ENTERTAINED at the same time. Expecting any parrot but especially an IRN to "sit still" for any length of time is a recipe for disaster. They just aren't designed for it. They are too smart and too curious. In order to fit in well to a human family and not destroy their home, they need lots of different toys because you are right; nothing holds their attention for long. We have little make-shift play areas all over the house. We used to have a big tree with lots of additions but ultimately it proved too large for our tiny house but I'll show you a picture of it. My favorite "play station" is actually a toy box filled with foot toys and random things like bottle caps. It is easy to replenish with new things so they are always hunting for something exciting. It's also great because it's easy to move and easy to store. My birds love them! You can even toss a hand full of see in the. Bottom and poof! Foraging toy!

Another note; Irns seem to love stuffed animals. Don't put them in the cage, but tying one to a perch can mean hours of entertainment (in short busts). Be sure to replace them as they become worn.

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Anything can become a play stand. Kaleo loves this mineral block that we tied to this lamp. So easy!

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this is one of those kiddy play blocks with non toxic paint. They love it. These two are Madison and Hamilton.

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Nohea also loves the lamp; she loves to turn it on and off. But she mostly loves it because it is right by couch where we spend our evenings. She wants to be close to us.

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Saeed and Chin Ho demonstrate their love of stuffed animals.

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Nohea and Hammie show off their toy box.

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Our big tree used to be right next to my desk (I work from home) and was perfect with lots of toys and food stations to keep busy beans and brains occupied.




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SilverSage

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Looks like I forgot that link, here it is!

http://www.silversageaviaries.com/sprouting/


As far as the cage goes; you are causing your own problem. Of COURSE he hates his cage; it's in your bedroom! He is a bird, he is a flock creature, he hates being alone. The cage should be moved into whichever room gets the most traffic so going into it doesn't mean being kicked out of the flock.
Since you have already taught him to hate it, it would be wise to start rewarding him for entering it.

Parrots love to be in the thick of things. Mine get in the way of everything if I let them; they are smart and curious and social and need to be involved in lots of exciting things. And boring things can be exciting. For example We have a large flock so every few months we have to bulk order dry food (pellets, seed mixes, dried fruit, nuts, egg food, etc) and mix and sort it into big bins. It's the same exact food they always get but they LOVE food sorting day. They want to taste everything even though they already eat most of it daily lol. It's just one thing that they can be involved in safely. I also take them shopping, hiking, to my husband's work parties, etc (safely in a harness or carrier!) anything to work that brain and relieve the mental energy that otherwise builds up and leads to acting out.

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Another thing to consider is that your bird may be molting at the moment or soon. Irns have explosive molts 1-2 times per year and that ca. Be really uncomfortable and lead to crabbiness, especially since they are less likely than many species to let you help with those pesky pin feathers. To alleviate some of that, be sure to offer frequent baths!
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LadyE

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Jan 6, 2017
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Does your bird spend any time at all on you/your family members or nearby you? Or is he just on his perches?Because from what I got from your posts I can tell only he spends time on perches outside so yeah, like it's been said he probably feels left out.Mine has bit me once on a lip and once on my ear mainly because I was just talking to him(lip) and cause I didn't pay attention to him(ear).They are possessive that's true, they want anything you got in hands and don't want to give up on anything they take away lol but despite occasional bites from mine he spends a lot of time on my shoulders or hands.And he also spends a lot of times close to us, he's rarely ever on some perch cause he just wants to be close to us.Regardless is it couch, table floor, he just wants to be close to people.He'll fly around just to stretch his wings and that's all, he's never on a stand.Only times he goes to perch on top of his cage is when he's getting some treats, he learned that so when he sees me making a meal he'll fly there and wait for a treat, if he doesn't get it screaming starts lol mine also screams often for all sorts of reasons-cause he's hungry but doesn't want to eat his food in cage, cause he's bored, cause I'm taking away something he wants, cause I'm mad at him being naughty lol cause he wants us to let him out of cage, cause he's looking for us when we leave the room etc all sorts of reasons can trigger that and for the biting part like I said mine bit me just once for a lip and I never talk to him on a shoulder after that and never had a similar problem again.So point is not get your face close to him and problem solved.Unless they have some mole on a face or something like that I doubt he'd be interested in attacking face really.And also like it was said baths are very much needed and they just love it so make sure he gets his baths often too.Mine wants to bath every other day in the morning for example. Anyway long story short I think your IRN just wants more time close to you so let him to do so and see if it changes screaming
 
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Stlcrtn

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Silver sage~
I appreciate all of your information, and will check out the link you sent. Just so I'm clear... his cage being in the other room has just occurred within the last few weeks. However, most of his day is spent out on his perches, or on the porch with me when I go outside. I make a point to spend time with him during the day with talking, head rubs, and playing.
I'm curious about your birds however, I noticed you have mainly females (or juvenile) birds. I did notice a male in one of the pictures though. Would you think adding a companion would help with the issues I'm having? We have thought about it and are willing to try. I have started an enrichment box tonight and will add to it as I go..he's scared of it right now so it will take some time I'm sure.
 
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Stlcrtn

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LadyE~
He is not left outside on a perch most of the day. He goes out when I go out, but does have a main large perch in the living room where we spend the majority of our time. We also have perches in other places throughout the house so I take him with me when I need to be in the other room for any length of time. He baths regularly, and loves it. However, as life goes, I can't have him with me directly 24/7. I will not put him on my shoulder or near my face. I have been bitten by him more times than I can count, and am pretty good at not yelling and trying to ignore it. But as I'm sure you know, it freaking hurts! Although I can read his body language very well, and typically know when he's irritated he still manages to chomp on me once in a while. I just don't want to be misunderstood, we love him and are dedicated to him. He isn't locked in his cage all day, he is out and played with everyday. He has acquired some undesirable habits that I could use help with, and will try anything to make it work.��
 
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Stlcrtn

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Just looked at your web page, and you are one dedicated IRN owner! Love the pictures! This is the first time I had heard of sprouting and will give it a try. Thank you so much for your advise, I'm sure this won't be the last time I bend your ear with questions. I hope you don't mind...
 

SilverSage

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It's never a good idea to have the main cage be anywhere out of the way. In the wild these guys really don't spend time alone. A lone parrot is a dead parrot. You mention he hates his cage. If this was happening BEFORE the cage was moved then there may be additional issues to be identified and resolved, but the cage being in isolation will only make it worse.


I hope I'm being clear; I do NOT think you are neglecting him or failing to show him love. I'm just trying to offer suggestions for how to make your life together more pleasant.


I actually own about equal numbers of male and female Irns but you are right most of the pics I used seemed to focus on my younger birds. I actually raise them and I take a lot of pictures of the younger birds so their new families can watch them grow.

As far as adding a second bird I do NOT recommend that. At all.

Everyone who knows me knows I have a Ringneck addiction issue. Also a cockatiel habit and a bit of a green cheek problem. It's bad lol. But having additional Ringnecks makes each issue HARDER to deal with not easier. I'll be honest, almost none of my tame Ringnecks love each other. They tolerate each other; barely. Adding a second bird would likely only exacerbate the issue. If you decide to get another bird I would do so only when YOU cannot possibly live without that second bird. It may happen, it may not, and if you end up like me your friends may start holding interventions for you and asking why you don't have any money to spend on "normal" things lol.


And do t worry about him being scared of any new toys; that's natural at first when a bird wasn't raised playing with and eating new things. Most parrots aren't properly socialized as chicks and need a bit of time to learn to trust new items.


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Stlcrtn

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Question...what the heck kind of harness do you have? I had to laugh when I saw it, but it looks like something I might try.
 

SilverSage

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We use both the aviator and the flightsuit. Different ones for different birds but it takes months usually to train an adult bird to wear one that hasn't worn one before so make sure you go into it with reasonable expectations.


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LadyE

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Yeah I got you what you say about those bites and I myself can't be so calmed about them lol I end up fighting with mine lol and by fighting I mean arguing, not physically fighting-I argue him for being naughty and he screams at me lol that's a funny thing to see in reality , you can't help but laugh when you see a little bird screaming at you for telling him he's naughty lol well if he bites for fun or whatever is in his mind then ofc he's not welcome on shoulders, I completely get that point. I thought it happened maybe 2-3 times max. About cage isolation that's not a good idea like it was said before, you should put his cage somewhere close to you so he doesn't feel alone when he's in cage and for screaming in cage I consider a better idea covering cage until he calms down than taking a cage to another room. But to be honest mine tends to scream sometimes even covered lol less loudly but he does sometimes but in a while he calms down so we uncover him again. And it's true that second bird might only make it even harder to work with him
 

sstotler

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I am continuing to have similar issues with biting, so let me first state the following: My bird does not seem to be afraid of me, although he does not step up - on anything. He gets a diet of pellets, fresh veggies, fresh fruit on a daily basis. He has toys inside the cage and out. His door is open from 6 am until his bedtime around 7. He goes from his cage to the top of his cage and also right beside me (where my computer printer used to be). I have cleaned this off and it also has toys plus a stuffed animal, which he likes to beat up. He would like to be able to climb on me, which I can't allow because of the biting. He is very aggressive. When he sees me typing on the computer he will lunge toward my hands. My granddaughter calls him "The velociraptor" . I am trying to think what causes this aggression, but I am coming up blank. I am determined that I am not going to "rehome" him, because I feel the problem is not with him, but with me. I just can't figure it out. BTW, he is 13 weeks old tomorrow. I feel like we need a marriage counselor for our human/bird relationship.
 
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LeaKP

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I'm not an IRN owner but there might be a growing up teenager issue that you're facing. Read the IRN threads on the forum and be consistent. No shoulders, keep boundaries, learn body language, and give lots of love and treats!
 

SilverSage

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This aggressive at 13 weeks! That's a huge deal. How old was he when he had his wings clipped and when he was weaned?

I thought we were dealing with an adult bird here. Your bird is bluffing (which is a stupid name for this phase). In a lot of ways you just have to ignore the biting but also not make it worse. It sounds like you really are on the right path; early clipping and force weaning and often to blame for this behavior in young Irns along with some other abusive raiding tactics like flooding.


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sstotler

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I thought he was older when I brought him home. Then I called the owner back and requested his hatch date which was March 19, and he was brought home on May 27, so I would say he was weaned a little too early, and I don't know when his wings were clipped. I discovered today that I have been feeding him foods that are all "high energy" and so after a trip to the store, I now have things that will not make him hyper. Yes, I too thought he might be in the bluffing stage, so with change in diet and going on as I have been, I will just give it a lot more time. Thanks for responding.
 

SilverSage

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No problem.

It's always a learning process and of course Irns are quite unique.


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Theone

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Mar 1, 2017
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Well personally I hate to clip wings of any bird. I have a pair and both of their wings are not clipped. I guess letting them learn how to fly and not clipping their wings brings a huge change in their behaviour. If you clip wings in their learning stage then they would become aggressive as a bird's natural tendency is to fly and if it can't then it will do anything else to protect itself. I have seen this kind of behaviour as a friend of mine also had one Irn and he clipped it's wings before it learns to fly and then the bird became more aggressive. Maybe it can be in bluffing stage too but i don't think it's a good idea to clip a bird's wing in learning stage.
 

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