New to loveys

[Jennefer]

Hi everyone!
I’m excited to be adopting a personata lovey next week. He/she comes from a breeder that has never tamed or handled his birds... I know, not ideal, but it’s the only one on the island I live, or it’ll have to be a petshop bird that’s already over 9 months old and also hasn’t been handled.
The breeder I’ve spoken with said he has 2 clutches that’ll be able to fly and weaned by next week.
He’s been a bit pushy to get me to buy asap but I wanted to be ready cage and toy wise, and up to speed on loveys...
So now it’ll be next week that I’ll go get it.
My question is, what age is too old to tame? He gave me the option to handfeed if I had gotten it earlier but I’m finding that a bit cruel to snatch it from the hen so early. (I’m a mom, can’t imagine doing that to any other mommy lol).
What do I look at to determine that the bird is as young as he claims?
I also have 2 children, 6 and 3 years old and they’ve been briefed thoroughly on being responsible and respectful towards our new baby...
Any advice and tips etc is greatly appreciated!

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome to you and your upcoming family member!
Any age bird can usually be tamed, as long as you are patient
That was a great decision you made to not take on handfeeding, there are many dangers for the baby if someone doesn't have experience. I find it sad that he tried to talk you into that, but am so happy you declined! I know you will be able to build a wonderful relationship with him even if he wasn't handfed.
Here is a great thread with tips on bonding and building trust:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

I would love to see pictures when your new baby comes home!

 

[LordTriggs]

excellent job on refusing handfeeding. It's so ridiculously dangerous to do it without training.

Like terry said you can tame any bird at any age, it's just easier when they're young. Unfortunately from the moment they have all their feathers they look the same until they pass.

Just give your new lovie time when they get home and remember to attempt keeping the children calm around them. Get it in their heads that bird is only a baby and is very scared at first so everyone needs to be calm around them

 

[Jennefer]

Aww thanks guys I’m happy to know I made the right decision declining handfeeding! I’ve always tried rescuing birds when I was young and we had an aviary outside, but only one ever survived it...
I’m using these last few days before we bring our new family member home to practice with the kids to be calm around the cage. They’re doing good so far, and we’re all excited about gaining our baby’s trust with lots of patience and understanding ��

I’m super excited to have found this forum, i was reading and learning so much from all of your answers!
Today we’re going to make some toys for the baby, and brainstorm names.
It’ll be a black masked, most likely blue but he now says he’s got more colors as well. I’m not looking for anything specific but a good nature and health...
so exciting!

 

[LordTriggs]

go in there and see which of them approaches you! It'll be the best way to start off. Don't be discouraged if none come running towards you, you just want to find the one who appears least frightened of you. Hope to see some pictures at some point!

good in teaching the children about keeping calm around them, it's definitely hard not to get excitable over a new pet especially something as different as a bird.

 

[Jennefer]

I don’t think any will come to me... it’s not a reputable bbreeder as we don’t have any on the island, and I don’t want to support the petshop here as those poor creatures are completely stressed out... I’d love to rescue them all but they will just continue to bring in more...
So I’ll be saving this little one from going on someone’s porch for decoration in a small round cage. Yes that’s what usually happens when folks here get birds
I’m definitely posting pictures as soon as we get it! We’re making toys for it right now lol

 

[Jennefer]

So I’ve exchanged the horrid plastic perches that came with the cage I bought, with different sized wooden branches and made a swing and toys from wood as well... 3 more days

 

[Terry57]

Yay! The countdown continues! I can't wait to see your new baby, so exciting!
I love it that you are making toys, too

 

[LordTriggs]

you'd be surprised, one may come up to you even at a bad breeder. It's all up to the bird in who they meet. Think about all those "nasty" "un-tame" "aggressive" birds that find someone they like and just hop on and ask for a cuddle. Even so nothing to stop them opening up to you over time, it's just to give a kickstart in the right direction. My previous "snuggle bug" was completely wild when I got him but he calmed down within a week and decided I was a friend

 

[Jennefer]

Aww that’s awesome! I’ve befriended a few birds in my childhood life, budgies, a dove , canaries and the tamest of all was a finch! Would literally follow me through the house! Such a cutie...
Also had “wild agressive roosters” that were trained to fight that became as sweet as a lap kitten in time.
Lovebirds I’m sure will be quite similar, it’s just the bite I’m weary off lol.
Speaking of their bites, how hard is that usually? Break skin? Pinch?

 

[Jennefer]

Ah and then I have never trimmed wings with any other pets, would you recommend this? It’s 35$ by the vet here

 

[LordTriggs]

they can break the skin when they want to, even tiny budgies can. I've never been bitten by a lovebird (in fact never even met one) but if it's anything like a conure they're not painful, more the shock of it is the worst part