Hi fellow members

Im Jimmy live been living intexas for 12 yrs, I'm from Philippines. Just bought 2 lovebirds so i think it will be nice to join this forum and learn about my bird and share everything since its my first Bird... i grew up in philippines that always have pet animals around me like dogs,cats,hamster and mice. So ill see guys guys around and have a wonderful day

Hi Jimmy and welcome to the forum!
Lovebirds are wonderful birds, and I would love to see pictures of yours
So happy you joined us!

Time to tame?

Just bought 2 lovebirds from craigslist and not really sure if their male or female... owner said they don't know either... they also said their 2 month old... so when is a perfect time to open the door cage, let them get out and let them wonder the room around... their not used to human but they don't attack , but they sure bite if being handle

Re: Time to tame?

They may be biting because they are afraid.

Instead of letting them out, why not get them used to you first? You can do this by getting some millet (like this!) and sitting next to the cage, putting the millet up to the side, allowing them to come over to eat the millet through the bars. If they are pretty scared, don't look at them directly. It may scare them even more.

Once they get comfortable with that, you can then try feeding them millet from inside the cage. *Always* allow the birds to approach you, don't go chasing after them!


Once they get comfortable with that, you can then try getting them to be ok with taking food from the door.



I kind of did this with budgies and cockatiels, although I used their regular food most of the time. In the video of the budgies, it was 1 month from that first video to the second! And of course there were steps 'in-between' there, too.



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUx81WHTUwk"]1 Bird in hand Leads to Many - YouTube[/ame]



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlSm4uFZzVU"]More Budgies!!!! - YouTube[/ame]





And doing the same thing with a cockatiel. In the first video, you can see that she's very hesitant and unsure that she wants the food (she has access to food right behind and below her! so it's not like she *has* to take food from me! she chooses to!). In the second video, you can tell that her behavior has changed! She's confident and trusts me more.


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9w9w8nMRmw"]Hesitant Faye - YouTube[/ame]



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH9ZWxhCSAE"]Not So Hesitant Faye - YouTube[/ame]





All in all, I did this with 5 adult, untamed budgies and 5 adult cockatiels of various tameness. (from completely wild and freaks out if close to a human to being previously tamed but not worked with in a while)

Thanks! Ill post them in the lovebird section in a minute

Re: Time to tame?

Here are some pictures
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Thanks.. will do that for now on

Re: Time to tame?

And is it true that just feed them pellets and give the seeds as a treat ? i saw that in youtube

Hi Jimmy! I'm also in Texas. Welcome!

Re: Time to tame?

thelittleone said:

And is it true that just feed them pellets and give the seeds as a treat ? i saw that in youtube

Click to expand...

Different people have different opinions on diet, but... most say:
You should have a mix of seeds, pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Treats can include millet and sunflower seeds (for the sunflower seeds, a bird should only have five or six a day at most).

If you want percentages, it'd be something like...
At the MOST, 2% grapes and heavy starches (potatoes, bread).
2-4% plant powders.
Some owners choose to give their lovebirds protein (eggs, meat), and if you choose to, that should make up 5-10%.
5-10% should be legumes and grains.
5-10% should be fruits like bananas and apples (no seeds).
10-15% should be berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.).
5-10% can be nuts.
10-15% should be sprouted seeds & grains.
10-15% should be vegetables like cucumbers.
15-25% should be the darker and leafy greens.

This is the IDEAL outline, but since you and your lovebirds are still sort of adjusting, you can probably have them on seeds, pellets, fresh veggies/fruits, and the occasional treat. Try to get them to expand their palates eventually though.

Welcome, fellow Texan. I'm not a native, but as we say: "I got here as soon as I could"! LOL. You'll have to share some pics of your new babies.

Welcome Jimmy, I'm also in Texas. I've recently fallen in love with my mom's new Lovebird. Congrats to you and your little friend.

Re: Time to tame?

I see you have a nest box in there. Generally speaking, pets don't make good breeders and breeders don't make good pets.

If you plan on breeding them, don't expect them to be tame and friendly.

If you want them to be pets, don't expect them to be good parents. Even if they end up being successful parents, chances are, they'll no longer be pets.



Considering they are two months old, they don't need a nest box! And since you got them from the same person, there's a chance they are related, and you don't want to encourage inbreeding!



So... take the nest box out! Also, please remove the hair ties.





Looking at the pictures again, these are adult birds! They are probably over 2 years old, maybe even older than 5-6 years old! I'm pretty sure that I see long toe nails in a couple of those photos, which indicates to me that these birds may have been on a poor diet for some years, which may have effected their liver causing overgrown nails. I don't know this for sure, but I'd highly recommend a trip to the vet!




Sorry if this is not what you want to hear.... but I think you got duped! Both lovies are gorgeous, but I don't think you purchased what you were thinking you were getting!

Re: Time to tame?

Lovie said:

thelittleone said:

And is it true that just feed them pellets and give the seeds as a treat ? i saw that in youtube

Click to expand...

Different people have different opinions on diet, but... most say:
You should have a mix of seeds, pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Treats can include millet and sunflower seeds (for the sunflower seeds, a bird should only have five or six a day at most).

If you want percentages, it'd be something like...
At the MOST, 2% grapes and heavy starches (potatoes, bread).
2-4% plant powders.
Some owners choose to give their lovebirds protein (eggs, meat), and if you choose to, that should make up 5-10%.
5-10% should be legumes and grains.
5-10% should be fruits like bananas and apples (no seeds).
10-15% should be berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.).
5-10% can be nuts.
10-15% should be sprouted seeds & grains.
10-15% should be vegetables like cucumbers.
15-25% should be the darker and leafy greens.

This is the IDEAL outline, but since you and your lovebirds are still sort of adjusting, you can probably have them on seeds, pellets, fresh veggies/fruits, and the occasional treat. Try to get them to expand their palates eventually though.

Click to expand...

thanks for reply... i will keep those in mind.... i bought a mix seeds in walmart and it has lots sunflower seeds... and that the first thing they will leaf first.... lucky thing i ask.. i need to slow them down

Re: Time to tame?

Seeds from Walmart are crap..... you're better off looking for a local bird store or purchasing products off the internet.

Re: Time to tame?

Thanks for sharing your photos. Your lovebirds are beautiful.

Re: Time to tame?

MonicaMc said:

Seeds from Walmart are crap..... you're better off looking for a local bird store or purchasing products off the internet.

Click to expand...

yea i didnt know.... went to petsco this morning to buy some millets

Allee said:

Thanks for sharing your photos. Your lovebirds are beautiful.

Click to expand...

Thanks

Beautiful!

I hope I'm not violating nothin for asking this here, since you guys fellow texans are here... you guys know any local breeder in dew area? I'm looking for some young baby lovebirds and young baby conures for easy tame.

I'm not from Texas, but your lovebirds are beautiful!

Welcome to the forum, Jimmy!!! Your lovebirds are beautiful!!!! Nice cage too!!! Can't wait to see it filled with toys!

You might want to remove that nest box though (at least I think that's what it looks like) unless you want babies lol