Going to get an IRN in a few days, advice please!

[jen144]

Hi all.
I've been researching for a while now and I've decided to get an Indian Ringneck parrot. He's arriving on Tuesday, so I'm hurrying to get some last minute advice from people before he arrives!

Bad thing is, he (I'm just calling it a 'he', we don't know the sex yet) is a year old aviary-bred bird!! I wanted a tame one, so I'm going to try to tame him. From all I've read, trying it with this bird is going to be very hard (and painful, with those big beaks lol) or even impossible! But I'm willing to try, so I really need some advice in that area.


I've owned finches, quail, lovebirds, budgies, and cockatiels..and currently own 8 budgies, 2 cockatiels and 4 finches. I've had years of experience with owning, breeding (and handrearing) and taming all of those, all of whom are from different backgrounds..anywhere from a handreared baby, to a 3 year old wild aviary-bred adult. And successfully tamed them all, albeit to varying degrees lol.

So I'm not a complete newbie. But I've never owned any parrot larger than a cockatiel so this new venture into getting an IRN is very exciting!
I need any advice possible, PLEASE!
What should I expect with him when he gets here, how long may it take to get him tamed (if at all), how different are they from tiels and in what ways? If (after I try for a few months or more) he doesn't tame, can I put him safely in the aviary with the budgies and tiels, or shouldn't they mix? How long each day should I spend with him?

Sorry this is rather vague but I just need any advice experienced IRN owners can give me. Thank you.

[88keysau]

Hi jen144,
I've never owned a IRN but as far as 'taming' your bird it is a question of developing trust. Do not try to force the parrot to do anything - let him take his time. I would suggest trying to discover what his favorite treat food may be and then every time you walk past the cage put a little in his feeding bowl. Don't expect anything in return. It may take days or even weeks but eventually the bird will start to associate you with the treat and may even come towards the feeding area as you aproach. One step at a time Take a look at the GoodbirdInc web site run by Barbara Heidenreich. She is fantastic and there is so much good info available on there. Keep asking questions too, no question is too silly! I went from having no birds ever to having 6 parrots in 18 months and have picked lots of peoples brains as well as attending behavior workshops. Finally I am having success with our parrots! Having a larger parrot is a very different experience to all the smaller birds.
Cheers
Karen
PS I found this site which may be of use
www.featheredfamily.com/tamingirn.htm

[jen144]

Thank you very much! My new IRN is coming tomorrow, I can't wait!!

[avinet]

I might start out by saying I have bred and hand-raised sevewral hundred ringnecks over the past 20 years. As well I have had plenty of exposure to young ringnecks that were aviary bred.

I'm afraid my advice is not to even try to tame a 12 month old aviary ringneck. It would be an exceptional ringneck that would tame at 12 months - a 1 in a 100 bird. If you try you will become stressed, your ringneck will become very stressed, and you will get some very painful bites.

My advice would be to wait until the new babies start to appear and get a young just weaned baby ringneck in a couple of months. You will have a much more enjoyable experience.

A good ringneck is one of the best birds to own - I have an 18 year old male who is still a marvellous pet bird - so waiting to get a nicely raised and socialised baby is always best.

cheers,

Mike

[jen144]

Thanks Mike! Well, I got the bird before I read your reply..however, I ended up getting a 4 and 1/2 month old instead of a year old Ringneck. Does that make it easier to tame?
He already eats in front of me and doesn't panic when I'm near the cage, even right in front. I just got him 2 days ago so I haven't put my hands inside the cage yet so I don't know how he'll react to that..
Any tips? Is it still not worth trying to tame this little guy (I'm still going to try either way ) or is the fact that he is 4.5 months old change your mind about the taming? Thanks again.

[meandem]

One year old Well that would be interesting. 4 1/2 month old, wow, you might be in with a chance, but it will take some work. Like Mike, one of my ringnecks I own is very old, but he is an absolute delight.

[avinet]

The younger a ringneck the easier it may be to tame it - but even if it was 4.5 months old it will still be difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.

If the bird is 4.5 months old then it would have hatched at the beginning of April. While this is not impossible, it is highly unusual. Ringnecks have a well defined breeding season with the vast majority of babies hatching from August to November.

I did once have a clutch of babies hatch around Easter, but that was a pet pair kept in the house. I never had a clutch from ringnecks kept in the aviaries. It may well be that your bird is actually around 9 months old.

cheers,

Mike

[jen144]

Here's a picture of him I just took, are you able to tell about how old he is? The petshop owner said the breeder said that he is 4 and 1/2 months old lol but this breeder does breed them in aviaries outside and the petshop owner didn't seem very sure that they had the right date, that they THINK it was 4 and 1/2 months old. -.-
Opinions?


Also, today (only had him since Tuesday) he has started eating peas from my hand!!
He was silent for the first 2 days but since today he's been calling out a lot..mainly to the budgies outside and also when I leave the room! He's still very wary of me but he just watches me very closely, not even flying away or doing anything but moving to a further away perch if I get too close. Hasn't shown any aggression but I assume that is because he is so new and is still not very confident.
Is all of this success so far because he is new and unconfident? I mean, it must bode well that he is eating from my hand just 2 days in!

[vankarhi]

I totally agree with Mike when it comes to IRN's.....I am not saying however that it is impossible to tame down a non handraised slightly older IRN.....it is just harder. And yes the asiatics (which IRN's are) start to nest around June/July and their babies start to hatch maybe late July/August. My alexandrines (they are also asiatics) hatch babies in August but I have a friend who has had some hatch in July. So I am with Mike also with the possible age of your guy......he more than likely is older than you think.

If he is taking food from your hand then that is a good start already.......just keep giving him treats and just slowly gain his trust........

Yes and books by Barbara Heidenreick or Susan Friedman or Steve Martin are excellent books/articles to read.........they can tame anything or teach behaviours I probably should say.

[aco]

Hi jenn
Having an IRN means alot of time and devotion..I was gifted with a lutino hen that was cared for but neglected if that makes sense.

Polly would only interact with me and me only and over the past 18 months have built a trust with her. Plenlty of talking and reassurance helps ....also treats ..find what he/she likes and start from there. when i greet her its with soft loving words...''Cuddle baby?" and she responds only recently...3 weeks now i have had her leave her cage and investigate her surroundings ..perching on my shoulder and giving kisses...be patient and i'll will be great

cheers