Can you hand tame lovebirds that have been in the same cage? Or would I have to seperate them?

Question

I am thinking about buying a pair, and they have always been together. So I was hoping that i could tame them myself.

Answer 1

It is usually easier if you separate, but not necessary.
How long have then been "wild"? It is pretty much impossible to completely hand tame an older bird. Here is an example:
My male (3 yrs) was hand tamed at 6 months. Then for the next year and a half- no one did anything with him. I bought him last year and he was basically wild. I could not touch him or even put my hand near him (would attack, bite and hold drawing blood). The only reason he would step up on my hand is because the female was completely tame and he wanted to go by her. Now, one year later after daily work, he will step on my hand when he wants to- or when I threaten him with a spray bottle. I still can not actually touch him, and most of his bites do not draw blood anymore.
I think the biggest factor in his taming was watching the female (completely tame) and wanting to be by her.

I suggest clipping their wings if you do not already do so, it makes the process a bit easier.

Answer 2

Most 'cage-birds' can only ever really be 'tamed' by hand-rearing them from not long after hatching. If they are more than a few weeks old, they will always fear being handled to some extent.

Answer 3

Yes, it takes quite a bit of work but it's possible. I was given two Peach Faced hens of unknown age. They were both parent raised (not raised by humans) but their old owners had tamed them. One is tamer than the other and they can both bite HARD if they want to. They are also both very territorial, so I need to get them out of the cage with a handheld perch, then I can handle them.

Answer 4

i have 2 in the same situation, 3 month old brothers and i can handle both just fine.