baby love birds & biting

[argolove]

Hi, i'm Drew. I have been hand feeding my first clutch of masked lovebirds. They are all going well and are just starting to fly. I have learnt a lot from the internet - it has been a huge help! I've also started doing some training with the eldest. I have trained it to fly to me on the command 'step up'. We are still working on stopping them from biting. Have tried a couple of things like saying 'no' in a stern voice however this seemed to encourage it. Does anyone have any tips??
Thanks, Drew

[pennyandrocky]

they don't really know what no means.it's best to avoid the bite by paying attention to body language birds almost always give warning before a bite.my did a dance,and my will grumble.others might pin or flash eyes,and some fan out their tails.this means they are done and want to be left alone.

[liz]

Most all babies put things in their mouths. Your babies are doing the same. Are they real bites or tasting?
Myrtle likes the taste of my left ear lobe. She will latch on and I can feel her tounge. My ear does get sore after a while but she is not biting. I tell her "no - fly" and she will go away for a while.
They learn the word no just like a toddler. Once they learn it they will tell you no.

[argolove]

Thank you penny and liz I have to go out but will reply when I get home. But things are looking up

[argolove]

After reading pennys post I started watching body language and read "back to basics" in the trained parrot blog. After using these techniuqes they are aleady friendlier. Now I am ingoring any beak contact unless it hurts, then I will move the body part towards the bird slowly but firmly. As before I was pushing into the bird quickly, with almost any beak contact. This was making the little guys aggresive. So in answer to your question Liz I dont know if they are bites yet. Sometimes I definately know and this is when Ill move my hand towards the bird slowly but firmly. I bought them their first cage today and johnson the eldest, took some convincing that he needed to be there. But they seemed happy in there after about an hour. I put some familiar toys in there and lots of different types of food. So thanks again guys