Recently got a breeder lovebird and looking for advice

[solaniine_]

Hi! To start off, I recently just got a lovebird from a breeder who didn't want him anymore, it's a male and supposedly he killed his mate therefore the owner handed him over. He's skittish of people, he's a bit aggressive towards my other birds and he starts to chirp loudly every hour (I don't mind it).

I've never owned (specifically) a lovebird. He's from a breeder farm and is very scared around humans or anything else that moves. I want to build trust with him and have plenty of time to do so, but I don't exactly know where or how to start by doing so. I also don't want to keep him in his cage forever, I want him to be able to fly about in my room like my other birds do, but I don't want him possibly injuring them either. I feel bad he doesn't get to fly that much, but I don't want to rush trying to befriend him either.

Any and all advice is appreciated! Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post this in, I'm very new to this site.

 

[birdienerd]

Have you quarantined for 2 weeks? Its best to keep a new bird in another room for atleast 2 weeks before introducing to new birds (new birds might add to his stress right now!) Spend time with him when you can, Read a book aloud to him, play music and sing for him ect, Just be in his space in a non-threatening way, show him youre no predator! When i got my new birds, I placed my hand in their cage on a perch, Not moving for 5-10 minutes to get them used to my hand. There are many great resources on AA to help with trust building and things like finger training. I also suggest (if possible) leaving the cage door open when you’re around to watch! Goodluck with the birby!!

 

[Shezbug]

In future you should not just bring new birds home and add them to your flock without a proper quarantine period where they are kept in different air spaces for a month or more and hopefully you get them vet checked and disease tested in that time.

@Zara can give you a lot of help with information on lovebirds needs and behaviours.

I personally would not allow a bird who killed its partner to be roaming free with other birds but that may also depend on what species your other birds are.

 

[solaniine_]

Have you quarantined for 2 weeks? Its best to keep a new bird in another room for atleast 2 weeks before introducing to new birds (new birds might add to his stress right now!) Spend time with him when you can, Read a book aloud to him, play music and sing for him ect, Just be in his space in a non-threatening way, show him youre no predator! When i got my new birds, I placed my hand in their cage on a perch, Not moving for 5-10 minutes to get them used to my hand. There are many great resources on AA to help with trust building and things like finger training. I also suggest (if possible) leaving the cage door open when you’re around to watch! Goodluck with the birby!!

He's been in a separate room for about a week, should've mentioned this in the post haha

 

[solaniine_]

In future you should not just bring new birds home and add them to your flock without a proper quarantine period where they are kept in different air spaces for a month or more and hopefully you get them vet checked and disease tested in that time.

@Zara can give you a lot of help with information on lovebirds needs and behaviours.

I personally would not allow a bird who killed its partner to be roaming free with other birds but that may also depend on what species your other birds are.

I have budgies and a GCC, all my birds roam on their own time (budgies are out on their own while gcc is in his cage for a few hours, then switch) for everyone's safety and its easier to watch them. The lovebirds been to a vet checkup, and he's been in another room for about a week now-- should've add this in the post my apologies!

 

[Zara]

Keep the lovebird alone in quarantine for 4-6 weeks. If your vet gives you the all clear for polyoma, PBFD and psittacosis, you can move him into the bird room from 4 weeks.

For the first week or two, just keep him caged and work on building some trust. I imagine this bird has had a pretty naff life, given he killed his mate I would bet he has been severely stressed maybe frightened, possibly housed with a mate he didn't choose to force breeding. So it is important to show him that you will let him choose, you will respect his boundaries, and you will be patient.
A member above mentioned sitting by the cage reading, that is a good way to get him used to hearing your voice.
Get some millet spray, the stuff that comes on sticks. Cut the thing down into small two inch pieces roughly, and hold end in your finger tips, and touch the other end against the cage so the clusters poke through, let him enjoy some millet treats. This is a good treat because it gives you space between him and your fingers, he will accept this before he accepts something like a sunflower seed. It is important to cut the spray down because the single spray can be very long and it could frighten him.
Do your best that every interaction is a possitive one. If you have a negative one, try to adapt your technique so that next time is different. Don't keep doing the same thing over and over expecting him to change or the outcome to be different. If he lunges at you, or tries to bite, switch up the way to offer the treat. Maybe try talking to him first, or offer the treat in a different place in the cage, up higher, over the food bowl, see what works.
Once he is coming to you for the treats without attacking via cage bars, that is a time to think about trying to let him out for a fly without any other birds. And monitor to be sure he doesn't land on cages.
While he's out, allow him to fly, but sit nearby, maybe hold some millet should he choose to come to you he will be rewarded.
Remember to respect his boundaries.
I really hope you can build a health relationship with him so that he can benefit from your company. He will be able to hear the other birds which is nice, but given his past, allowing him to mix is something that might not happen. You won't die or lose a finger or toe if the lovebird attacks you, but he can cause serious damage to your other birds.

If you want to share your journey here, I'd be interested to read

 

[solaniine_]

Thank you for the advice, will try all of it!

I did mention in a reply, all my birds roam but not together (gcc roams alone in his time, then budgies roam on their own time) so the same will happen with the lovebird down the line (getting his own time to roam). Will keep updating on him ♡ thank you again!

 

[Zara]

Yes, I saw that, and I think it is wise