How do I start taming my lovies?

[luluxoxo83]

Since the loss of HoneyDew today I have been doing a lot of thinking. I would really like to start taming my lovies. I have tried before but I never found a real effective way. Can anyone tell me where to start? Thanks!

[Triock]

sry to hear bout the loss of Honeydue, how old that the other 2 birds and how long have you had them. The best way I have found is to get them used to you by offerring to feed from your hand and be patient. If you let them out then keep the food near to you on on you so they have to coem to you to eat and get used to you, but also offer them food elsewhere as well away from you so that have the option and do not feel stressed. If you paly with thier toys as well they will eventually come to you. Just be patient and take ur time and they will learn to trust you and become tame, although how tame will depend on the individual bird. These are the basics, but i am sure others will have their prefered methods as well that they find work as well.

[luluxoxo83]

Shiloh is a year old and Sky is 8 months. I have had shiloh for 6 months and Sky for 4 months. I will def. Try that. Thank you!

[Chickobee]

I save the good treats for when I am trying to tame a new bird. For example, I would only give them millet during training sessons and not provide any in their cage. A bird who is full and has all the millet they want in their cage has no incentive to come to eat it from your hand. I also found that early in the morning when they have not been fed yet is a good time to practice for a few minutes.

I would offer the millet to them by holding it in my hand inside the cage. I would talk softly to them and let them come forward. As they progressed each day I would move the millet closer to the cage door. Eventually I would hold it so they had to put a foot onto my hand in order to take a bite. Note that they should always have the option to retreat if they are feeling unsure. The training sessions should be short and fun for the bird--not a threatening situation. They are learning to trust you and that can take days, weeks, or even months.

This training and bonding with you does not happen overnight. You will see progress in small steps and most likely one of your birds will be more brave than the other one. Later on the timid bird will feel comfortable enough to join the brave bird.

Eventually you will reach a point where one or both of the birds will stand on your hand and you can slowly work so you are outside the cage door.

When they actually step up onto your hand or finger it is good to say "up" or "step up" so eventually they associate the words with the action.

As time goes by your birds will step up on command and without the enticement of treats.

If they are afraid to step up onto your hand you can use a small perch or stick and teach them to step up onto it. That method can be very useful when they get older if you happen to have a nesty hen. If you practice this sometimes they will remember it. Then, even if they get bitey, they will still usually step up onto the stick which will make it easier to move them if you need to.

It can take many days before the birds are comfortable with you and want to step up. Then later on they will beg to come out of their cage.

Most of mine pace back and forth or call to me. One stands on his food dish and moves his head as far as he can from side to side as he rubs his beak on the bars to make noise. One gets on her swing and goes as fast as she can while she calls. I also have one who sings little trills and flaps his wings.

Mine are all characters and all different.

Good luck! Be sure to keep us up to date on your progress. It is fun to hear the experiences of new lovie "parents".