Post by georgiesmum on Oct 30, 2009 18:13:45 GMT 10
Hi everyone, hoping for some input from those out there who have experience of IRNs.
Ive read back through posts talking about IRN behaviour and have learned alot but still have a few questions.
I was given a lutino hen about 6 weeks ago. The lady who had her before rather foolishly put her in with nesting canaries. One dead canary and alot of destroyed nests later she rang me. She found the bird in her yard 3 years ago and kept it in a bell shaped cocky cage. When she moved house last year she put it in with the canaries through lack of space.
After being here a week I put it in a much bigger cage with toys and things to do. But the bird doesnt seem to know how to play or even fiddle with things. Is this normal? I read they like to chew so I put a chewy toy in with her and she pecked at it like she was terrified so I took it out.
This bird is of unknown age, but it must be, at least, hand tame because she steps up very well. She has taken to me very well but started attacking everyone else, flying at their faces. Although I hated to do it I did clip her wings as she has quite a beak on her, and I dont want to see what damage that could do to someones face, and I didnt want to confine her to her cage.
The clipping which I did about a week ago seems to have calmed her down a bit, but she still lunges at people who pass her cage. I gave her an old shoe box and she has chewed the top off and lurks in it most of the day. I hate to see a bird doing so little, but perhaps that is just their nature?
She likes to have a bath and she certainly like food, she will try and snatch what ever you are eating and run off with it.
I could put her in an outside aviary by herself but I dont know how happy she would be on her own. Any tips on how to get her to play or be nicer to other people? Any answers would be appreciated. I think she was rather neglected in her previous home and would like to try and do the right thing by her, if possible. I take her out to be with me a least twice a day and she seems to enjoy this, but I think she spends most of her time looking for 'nesting hollows' around the house.
Ive read back through posts talking about IRN behaviour and have learned alot but still have a few questions.
I was given a lutino hen about 6 weeks ago. The lady who had her before rather foolishly put her in with nesting canaries. One dead canary and alot of destroyed nests later she rang me. She found the bird in her yard 3 years ago and kept it in a bell shaped cocky cage. When she moved house last year she put it in with the canaries through lack of space.
After being here a week I put it in a much bigger cage with toys and things to do. But the bird doesnt seem to know how to play or even fiddle with things. Is this normal? I read they like to chew so I put a chewy toy in with her and she pecked at it like she was terrified so I took it out.
This bird is of unknown age, but it must be, at least, hand tame because she steps up very well. She has taken to me very well but started attacking everyone else, flying at their faces. Although I hated to do it I did clip her wings as she has quite a beak on her, and I dont want to see what damage that could do to someones face, and I didnt want to confine her to her cage.
The clipping which I did about a week ago seems to have calmed her down a bit, but she still lunges at people who pass her cage. I gave her an old shoe box and she has chewed the top off and lurks in it most of the day. I hate to see a bird doing so little, but perhaps that is just their nature?
She likes to have a bath and she certainly like food, she will try and snatch what ever you are eating and run off with it.
I could put her in an outside aviary by herself but I dont know how happy she would be on her own. Any tips on how to get her to play or be nicer to other people? Any answers would be appreciated. I think she was rather neglected in her previous home and would like to try and do the right thing by her, if possible. I take her out to be with me a least twice a day and she seems to enjoy this, but I think she spends most of her time looking for 'nesting hollows' around the house.
