Help with biting

[JoeysKeeper]

Hey guys! I've had biting problems off and on with my little guy, Joey, for quite a while. It's only my hands he tries to attack. Never my face. Or anything else. I've had him for over 2 years and I think he was 6 months old or so when I got him. The previous people that had him had let him play with their dog and all the people - so he had zero boundaries. They let him go and he was jumping on customers outside of my work and taunting dogs. They were going to call animal control - so I did what I thought was best and took him in. I second guess myself all the time on what he might have been able to do. Maybe he could have been rehabbed... but it didn't seem likely since he didn't understand that dogs and people would hurt him. Anyway... I travelled cross country with him to move him to my new place (I moved from Louisiana to Oregon). He even has his own room so I didn't have to worry about electrical cords getting to him or anything like before when his cage was in my room. His cage is big, it's about 4' x 3' and meant for a bird so there is tons of space. His diet is really good. He gets 2 HHBs and healthy fruits and veggies everyday.

So I don't understand why his behavior is so erratic. Some days he is fine... other days he seriously attacks my hands. Today, by the time I was able to get him back in his cage, my hands were essentially covered in blood. I try my best not to tense up - but I know he can sense me being upset, which probably ends up making it worse - but I'm in serious pain some days so I can only stay so calm. Anyway. I was hoping you guys would have some advice. I want to be able to give him out of cage time, but I can't keep getting hurt this bad. Has anyone had luck with using any sort of gloves? I'm willing to try anything. I want him to be able to have fun. And he can't unless I can also function in the room.

Other things I've rules out:
-likely not a soap I'm using. I've tried washing my hands, not washing them, using different soap, and most of my soap is unscented.
-He's healthy.. He recently had an infection and I got him treated at the vet and his blood work was done twice. After all the meds and fluids - his blood work came back great.

I guess I'm always worried people will think I did something wrong or blame me here since maybe he could've been rehabbed a while ago. But I just couldn't tell. I've always tried to do what is in his best interest. So I hope I don't sound like I'm being neglectful or something with how I've taken care of him or chosen not to release him early on. I just couldn't tell. We all kind of do what we can with what we know at the time, you know?

I really love my little guy even with all the havoc. I'm typing now with taped up fingers because I'm out of bandages. Haha. I'm in an apartment completely out of the area I'd prefer to be in - just so I could afford a place where he could have a safe room. So I truly will do anything to try and fix this problem. I'd just like some tips on what I can do to actually let him out more often and avoid being in pain or needing stiches or anything!

I really appreciate you guys being here. Thanks in advance for the help & your time.

[farrelli]

Yes, several people use gloves. Some find that they immediately lose interest.

Good to see that you've investigated scents as the cause because it often is. Hand cream is a common culprit.

[lilidukes]

Well because of the move there is NO way he can ever be released!

At his age he is at the peak of his sexual maturity and some aggression
is to be expected. He will mellow with age. This I know fist hand from
having NR's mature.

Out of cage time with you should have NO food or nuts. Wearing heavy
fleece and gloves will help. If he starts attacking try to be firm and put
him back into his cage asap. But protect yourself first. New toys,
fresh branches and things to get his interest away from you may help.
Cat trees etc.

Hang in there.....I own stock in liquid bandage now. lol

[MJS]

I HAVE A 13 MONTH OLD FEMALE THAT I'VE RECENTLY HAD SOME BITING ISSUES WITH...FIRST, AFTER THE DEATH OF HER SISTER AT 9MO., AND THEN WHEN SHE CAME INTO HEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WITH HER, FOOD PROTECTION CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE SO...THIS IS WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
1. SHE ONLY GETS FOOD (OF ANY KIND) WHILE SHE IS INSIDE THE CAGE;
2. SHE CAN'T HAVE OUT OF CAGE TIME IF SHE HAS AN UNEATEN NUT IN WITH HER;
3. HER CAGE PANS ARE TAKEN OUT AND DUMPED DAILY TO PREVENT STASHES FROM ACCUMULATING...I DO THIS SLOWLY AND ALWAYS AFTER SHE'S BEEN OUT OF THE CAGE FOR A LITTLE WHILE;
4. I GIVE HER AT LEAST A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER SHE GETS HER LUNCH PLATE BEFORE SHE GETS HER AFTERNOON OUT OF CAGE TIME (PLENTY OF TIME TO EAT ALL OF THE GOOD STUFF :grin3); AND
5. I PRETTY MUCH LEAVE HER SLEEPING HUT ALONE SINCE SHE NEVER TAKES FOOD IN THERE (SHE HAS IT SO CRAMMED WITH FLEECE AND PAPER TOWELS THAT THERE'S BARELY ROOM FOR HER!)

I'VE ALSO BEEN WEARING THOSE LIGHTWEIGHT WHITE GARDENING GLOVES WHEN SHE FIRST COMES OUT. SHE HAS GOTTEN USED TO THEM AND HAS NEVER BITTEN ME HARD SINCE I STARTED WEARING THEM.

[JoeysKeeper]

He has no treats out of the cage - hasn't for years. And his cage is always clean.

What kind of gloves do you guys recommend using?