Taming Lovebirds

[InsaneX3]

Hey Michael, i bought 2 cute little Lovebirds one month ago and are as of today 5 months old.I let them fly every day for 3+ hours the week after i got them.So now i want to try and let them get used to me cause they are a bit scaref of me.When they where out in my room flying, i always do a shout like "Get in the cage" when i want them to be in the cage and now they got almost the hang of it(they fly on the cage but then it takes some time to get them IN the cage ).I think it is a nice start for a beginner like me, but i want to go a bit deeper with the feeling of "trust" so i can hand-feed them for example.Now the problem is, i forgot about the treats and i used millet on a regular basis(every 2-3 days)Am i in trouble or do i have some hope left?How should i tame them ? I mean i have 2 birds and i think it is a bit harder isnt it?(btw they are in the same cage ^.^)Should i approach them in the cage or when they are out?I think it would be better when they are cage cause they fly away every time i go near them and hide on top of my cupboard!! Does lovebirds needs some special attention or so? or can they be handled the same way you do with your parrots? Hope you can understand most of it cause im from Germany

Ps: I love how you treat your birds and want to do so the same way with my birds <3

Edit: Since this is a parrot forum it may be the wrong one to ask but im just a huge michael fan and needed to ask ^.^

[Michael]

It's ok. Just stop giving them millet in the cage and only give it to them from your hand. It is a lot harder taming two but if you want semi-wild birds that might simply come to you to nibble from your hand, I'm sure it's manageable. They are young so you don't want to do any substantial food management. Simply take the food away for 3-6 hours. Then offer millet from your hand through the cages bars or when the birds are out. They'll get used to taking it from you and you'll be able to just hold it on your hand and they'll land on you to eat it. This is taming. Training will require a lot more effort though. This is the place to begin so you can understand the early taming/training process:

http://TrainedParrot.com/Taming

[InsaneX3]

It's ok. Just stop giving them millet in the cage and only give it to them from your hand. It is a lot harder taming two but if you want semi-wild birds that might simply come to you to nibble from your hand, I'm sure it's manageable. They are young so you don't want to do any substantial food management. Simply take the food away for 3-6 hours. Then offer millet from your hand through the cages bars or when the birds are out. They'll get used to taking it from you and you'll be able to just hold it on your hand and they'll land on you to eat it. This is taming. Training will require a lot more effort though. This is the place to begin so you can understand the early taming/training process:

http://TrainedParrot.com/Taming

Thanks for your insight! Do you think Lovebirds are able to learn some tricks too ? It would be great to train them some tricks after a few years! I will put some pictures in here soon

[Michael]

Sure, why not? Even a budgie can do most of these tricks.

[InsaneX3]

Today i took out the foot for 5 hours and look at that!! they wasnt this scared when i approached them with the millet, they took a bit and i praised them.I hope that they get used to my hand when i keep it up.

But i have a question, should i start using a clicker with the millet ? or after some weeks?

[Michael]

After a couple days of eating millet from your hand you can start using the clicker. If it is a loud one, hold it behind your back the first times so it's not as loud and doesn't scare the bird.

[InsaneX3]

What should i do if they dont want to get in their cage ? I let them out today for like 4 hours and want to get them back in but they are just sitting on the cage

[liz]

Put a goody in the cage.

[InsaneX3]

Put a goody in the cage.

goodys as in food ?If yes isnt this a problem? they would eat till they are satisfied and i cant give them any millet with my hands cause they arent hungry anymore.And forcing them to go in is a no-go or?Some say you should catch them with a net when they dont get in on its own.

[Shelby]

There is a difference between treats and meals. I suggest making a schedule. Feed them their meals ONLY in the cage, after you've played with them a bit. This will encourage them to go in. You can give them treats like millet while they are out of the cage to tame and train them. Do not use a net. That will set you back in your taming progress. They will become scared of you all over again.