Where to Start Taming Nyasa Lovebirds

[LianneB1]

Hi everyone,

I have two adorable Nyasa Lovebirds, they are approximately 12 weeks old. I know they will probably never be hand tame, I just want to know where to start taming them so they are not afraid when I put my hands in their cage. I don't want to traumatise them when cleaning or changing toys etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Lianne

[linda040899]

Hi Lianne,
Tell us a little bit about these 2 youngsters. Being one of the rare species, were they hand fed or parent raised? Are they related to each other and do you know if they are males, females or one of each? It's usually preferrable not to hand feed birds that could possibly be used for breeding and most Nyassas are in breeding programs.

With my rare species, that skiddishness may lessen but I've never seen it go completely away. All of my pairs have nest boxes so they simply retreat to the box when I service the cages. If I stand quietly and talk to them, some will remain calm enough for me to interact with them for short periods of time. If yours are parent raised, that might be the best you will get, although I can't say that with 100% surety. If you are patient and work with them, it's definitely possible to develop a trust relationship with them. It's kind of a wait and see thing. :)

[LianneB1]

Hi Linda,

They are parent raised siblings. I don't know the definite sex, but, reading various articles on the eye ring species I think one may be male and one female. I had hoped to pick two males. The main things that make me think one is female is when they sit next to each one definitely has its feet wider apart - if the articles I have read are correct, this is one indication of a female, but I could be wrong!! :confused:

The only thing I will have to do is try to prevent any breeding as I don't want to have ill or deformed chicks. I have read that you can prevent things by only putting the happy hut in on a night - for sleeping purposes - and not providing nesting material, I don't know how correct that is.

I managed to clean the cages earlier today without too much fuss, as long as I move extremely slowly. I closed all blinds to darken the room, which certainly helped. And as you say if I talk quietly to them they do seem to calm down - as long as I don't move about.

Many thanks

Lianne

[abdul14459]

Even if they are male and female, i dont think they would want to breed because they are only about 3-4 months old. They should at least be 10 months. I dont think you should worry too much about breeding. My Giggles has recently been acting and doing the dance to Banana and Giggles is 8 months old now. But Banana is younger then her and he doesnt act. Lol. Its like he is ignoring her.

[LianneB1]

I bet that is really entertaining to watch! :lol As you say the problems start when they reach approx 10-12 months old.

Lianne

[linda040899]

Hi Lianne,
Again, going back to the fact that these are one of the rare species of lovebird found in the wild (in addition to in captivity), you can trust that they are a lot harder to breed than the Peachfaced, Masked, and Fischer's species. Even if you have a male/female pair, it may not mean anything. If my memory serves me correctly, in the wild, Nyassas are the species that builds their nests in termite nests and you have to duplicate what they would do in the wild in order to get them to reproduce in captivity.

Liink: http://www.agapornis.be/genus/lilianae1.htm

[LianneB1]

Hi Linda, that's brilliant news. I didn't want them breeding and producing poor chicks with ailments. I certainly won't be providing termite nests - that's for sure!!

Do you also think it is advisable to only provide the happy hut on an evening? They like to go to bed between 7-8pm, it is really quite amusing as they hop into the happy hut and that's the last I see them till morning. They are absolutely beautiful birds - as are all lovebirds - and I can spend all day watching them play follow-the-leader round the cage, with the occasional nap in-between.

Thanks again for the link and really valuable advice. Lianne

[LianneB1]

Hi Heather, thanks for that. I feel they are getting a bit (not much) more used to me. I am spending as much time as possible sat in a beanbag (using my laptop) in front of their cage so they get to see I am no threat when near the cage. Their favourite food dish is only about eight inches from where I am sat and they are coming down to it without any problem - as long as I don't make any sudden moves.

These are both from a breeder here in the UK; she also bred Masked and Fischers I really loved those as well, but, she didn't have a pair of either in their natural colour or lutino. She had lots of other colours that all looked fantastic, but, I had set my heart on the natural colours. They were all really well looked after, so I know they were definitely not afraid due to being mistreated - thank goodness.

It certainly sounds like you have a wonderful family of lovebirds.

Thanks, Lianne