Ask Lafeber

Is it terrible to use gloves while handling your IRN if he is afraid of your acrylic nails?

I’ve had my IRN for about 3 months now. When I first got him he was terrified of humans and definitely hands. I sat by the cage and he would just freak out. We’ll fast forward to now and I can get him out and he will climb up my arm, rest on my shoulder, and LOVES to get on top of my head. .. but I did make a mistake, I wore gloves when first handling him because I thought he was afraid of my hands. Well what I’ve learned now is he is afraid of my acrylic nails! If any of my kids reach out their hands he will step up and they don’t have gloves on… it’s only with me that if I try to get him to step up without gloves on he freaks out and makes a very loud alarm type sound… this is how I’ve figured out its my nails. Is it terrible if I have to always wear gloves?

Hi,

If he is not afraid of the gloves, then it’s fine to wear them. Birds develop fear based on their experience. They do not necessarily have a natural fear of gloves, but if they have been handled roughly with gloves, they develop a fear. So if he steps up and isn’t scared, keep using them. Otherwise your nails have to go! LOL

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda