| Jones |
| | 08/26/08 at 11:46 AM | Reply with quote | #31 |
|
| Any sanctuary lets you meet a bird before adopting. Try http://www.petfinder.com. Getting another cockatiel is a good idea, but if there is a female and a male, you will have babies, and it doesn't seem like your parents will be happy with that situation. Or you can substitute the eggs for fake ones. But I would try to get the same sex cockatiel if you get another one. You can explain to your parents that the bird will be lonely, but if they really don't want a 2nd bird, don't push it because they may be resentful later on. In the end, if the bird isn't wanted, it is not a good situation for anyone. Good luck, and it seems like you really care about your cockatiel, and the bird already has someone who cares alot, which is better than in some homes. Also, do a search for Connecticut and bird shelters to find a sanctuary if you do decide to adopt another cockatiel. |
| Loading... | |
| maria |
| | 10/04/08 at 09:16 PM | Reply with quote | #32 |
|
my friend has a lovebird and it already got use to her and we got them the same day o i have my white-faced cockteil for about three weeks its still not use to me i really want to hold her and play with her but she is sooooooo scared of me the petstore said i could trade her in for a lovebird but i got attached to my bird alredy HELP |
| Loading... | |
| meowingaround |
| | 11/04/09 at 11:43 PM | Reply with quote | #33 |
|
I got my first bird from a friend who got her from a "no attention" petstore. She SCARED my, she hissed, bit, and flew into two walls the first time I got her out of her cage *with a leather glove.. and yes feathers were trimmed straight away*
I finally read something that made me giggle and rang true.. show no fear of the little all of feathers... it only has a beak...sure it hurts.. but if we stop acting afraid the bird will stop using the ferocious bite. It's true
It was terrific to see this bird who was so terrified of people, realize we aren't so bad.
It was even more wonderful to feel her push her face against mine so I could rub her neck harder
What a difference sixth months made, from a dirty cage in a pet store, to living it up on the top of her own cage
But she was still quiet and didn't really know how to play with toys, so I got a baby tiel to help her with those issues.
Now I love them both dearly, and they both have a home for life. BUT getting one to help another, ESPECIALLY if you don't have extra time to deal with each bird, is just cruel.
My baby tiel has more issues than the adult could ever think of having... *terrible clip by a horrible vet has resulted in endless bloodfeather distasters.*
Course I also have three cats, who all need their own attention too. so maybe I'm over reacting.. but adding another bird added more stress than it solved.. I'm sure that with hard work, and time all will be well. But as of now the two birds can't be together unless I won't the "sweet baby" to bite my face off. he's horrible obsessive if he can see her, just frantically paces and even as I reach in to pick him up to put him with her, BITE..
ba stupid birds....
I seriously think the baby is trying to drive me into an institution 
|
| Loading... | |
| Lin |
| | 04/27/10 at 09:53 PM | Reply with quote | #34 |
|
I have recently inherited a female cockatiel that was originally purchased by my late mother-in-law from a pet retail chain. I am not sure of its age nor do I know very much about them. Your information about infertile egg laying is greatly appreciated.
I cannot seem to get her to eat anything other than seeds. I have placed fresh banana, apple, etc. in her cage and nothing. Not sure what to do. She also loves to bath in her water dish. I placed a small pie tin in her cage and also tried a small dish but nothing. Not sure what to do there either.
In her cage I have a cuttle bone which she loves, toys with mirrors and bells-loves them, millet -loves that, and a honey treat stick-absolutely loves that.
On another note, I cant seem to handle her. I was told that the pet store said she was had raised/fed. I cannot get close enough to her. She actually hisses at me  and has already bitten my husband. I talk and sing to her and she seems sweet but still does not allow me to touch her. Help.
Also, for one cockatiel what size cage is best?
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any advise you can provide,
New Mom
|
| Loading... | |
| Asha |
| | 04/28/10 at 01:59 AM | Reply with quote | #35 |
|
Lin, I found that the fastest way to make them come to you is to behave like a statue every day, for a little while. Talking and singing makes them recognize your voice. Every one of my birds made the first move when I sat like a statue. They wanted to check me out. As long as I did not move, they felt safe. Over time, they will know you better. Of course, others have had success with other methods. Do a 'search' and you will find help on this site. Same for foods. Good Luck.
Best Wishes
Asha |
| Loading... | |
| Arlene |
| | 04/28/10 at 03:30 AM | Reply with quote | #36 |
|
Hi Lin,
You really seem to care about this little bird that you have inherited, and you found your way to this site, so I think you have the makings of a great bird-mama!
I don't know how long you have the bird, but any time there is a change in their lives (going from one home to another, losing a mate or human companion, etc.) there is a period of adjustment. Look at it from the bird's perspective: first it was taken from its parents and placed in a store. Then it was bought by someone and taken out of the store environment that it was used to and into a new home. Now that person has passed away (my condolences on your loss) and the bird goes to yet another home, with new people to get adjusted to. That's a LOT of major change for a little bird. And YOU know you will be good to the bird, but the bird doesn't know that yet. That's why it's hissing and biting. Other than flight, it's a birds only defense. Give this little one time to acclimate to all of these changes and learn to trust you, and by time, I could mean several weeks to a few months. I would introduce any more new things very slowly; it's got enough to deal with for now, and it sounds like you have all the bases covered.
I've had cockatiels for 30 years. They all have unique personalities, but they are all wonderful pets. Some I had from babies, other I got as rescues. Some don't like to be held, but always want to be where you are; others jump right on your hand. All LOVE to have their heads scratched! I never had one that didn't get attached to me with time and love.
I would suggest to just let the bird get used to you and your husband. Talk to it, sing, whistle, just let it learn that it is nice to be around you. I wouldn't try to get it on my hand for a while ~ let it come to understand that you mean it no harm; never grab it. After a while, you can try to get it to step up on your finger, and you can scratch its head (top of head, behind the tall crest feathers - they just LOVE this.) They generally don't like to be petted on their back (actually, this is sexual behavior, you should never peta bird along its back). Most love head scratches and if you pet their ear holes(under the orange cheek patches), sometimes it makes them yawn Also, if they are sitting on one foot making funny creaky noises - it's the bird equivalent of a cat purring. Means they are content.
Also, keep in mind that the bird's cage is its personal territory and protective space - respect it. Don't EVER grab a bird inside its cage. That's intruding on its safe space.
Food-wise, I've found that cockatiels are mostly seed-eaters. It takes a while to get them to eat other stuff, but keep at it. They don't usually like wet food or fruit. I had one that liked to eat all the seeds out of a strawberry, another liked a few bites of apple. One of mine would grab a strand of spaghetti and run with it and nibble on it. A lot of times, I've seen it happen that once the bird has bonded with you, it will eat what it sees you eat. Mine likes whatever cereal I eat and it LOVES chewed up bits of pretzel right from my mouth! Loves broccoli, and raw fresh stringbeans - I slice open the bean and let the bird pick out the seeds inside. Just expose the bird to a variety of healthy stuff.
Besides a good brand of seed, there is a wonderful pelleted food made by a company named Scenic. Just Google the name and check out their website. I order the multi-flavored cockatiel pellets (think it's called Paradise Mix) - there's a small size and a larger one for small parrots - my bird actually likes the larger size better. It's highly nutritious and birds LOVE it. I couldn't get my bird to go near Harrisons pellets, and they are supposed to be excellent, but he loves the Scenic, which I think is as good if not better.
Do some Google searches for cockatiel info, and you'll find tons of info. Also, I wouldn't recommend clipping its wings. They are the most wonderful flliers and basically, they will swoop around once or twice and pretty much just follow you, maybe fly back to their cage. They are much happier if they can fly. Just make sure it is safe for them to fly (no doors or window open to the outside, everyone in the house knows the bird is up and about, etc.).
I think you and the bird will do fine - like I said, time is the answer. The bird doesn't understand what has happened, why it is in a new place and who you are. It's scared. Letittakeallthe timeit needs to learn to trust you and develop its personality and you won't be able to imagine life without this little guy or girl! And everyone here will help youif you need it.
Oh - MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD AVIAN VET!!!!!! You may rarely need one, but when you do, you will need one fast. If the bird is sick or injured, you need to get it to the vet ASAP. We get people who waste precious time e-mailing this site asking if the bird needs to go to the vet and they describe a situation that CLEARLY indicates medical treatment. In some cases, the bird could die while they are wasting time on the computer.
Anyway, hope I've been a little helpful. Good luck with your new feathered friend, and don't worry, I think you're doing just fine.
|
| Loading... | |
| Arlene |
| | 04/28/10 at 03:50 AM | Reply with quote | #37 |
|
Oh - you asked about cage size - you want to get a cage that is large enough for the bird to stetch its wings open and have perches of different sizes (it's better for their feet than all the same) at various heights.
I would say a good cage size is around 20" wide by 25" high. And always cover the cage at night. Cockatiels sometimes get night thrashes - they are known for this! In the middle of the night, you will hear them thrashing around in the cage. Something has spooked them and they go crazy in the cage. I just go in, calm the bird either by talking to it or sometimes I do open the cage and take the bird out and hold it and pet it. It calms it down. This is the ONLY time I ever recommend doing this. Then I place it back on its perch and it settles down. No more problem.
Age of the bird might be hard to tell, once they lose their baby coloring. Don't worry, with good care, they live 15 to 30 years.
As for sex, this is easy - the males whistle more, and they love to look in the mirror. Females don't seem to be as interested in the mirror. Also, males will do courtship display either to the mirror or to you! They will bow and cock their heads, and hold their wings slightly open - it's so cute! The females seem to have a sort of "little girl" sweetness about them. Both males and females are delightful.
If you have a female, don't encourage nesting. Egg laying is hard on them. My female would fly to my kitchen cabinets, and it took us awhile to realize she had made that her nesting area. Once we didn't let her have that option, she didn't lay any more eggs. Except for one we found under the bed!
|
| Loading... | |
| Sharon K. |
| | 05/01/10 at 12:58 PM | Reply with quote | #38 |
|
If you have a cockatiel, they will not eat fresh fruit, and they also do not like fresh vegetables very well. I live with twelve cockatiels. Since cockatiel birds are grain eaters, try to feed them Cheerios.They love it. On another note, again if she is a cockatiel bird species, and the tail and wing feathers are bared (stripped) she is a female. If the tail feathers are solid black, then he is a male. Here is another point, males do not care for bath. I spray them down sometimes. The females with take a bath. Do not offer only all seeds. Feed them Zupreem or other pelleted foods. My bird veterinarian recently told me to only to offer seeds every other day. And, to keep Zupreem in their cage at all times. |
| Loading... | |
| birdlady1 |
| | 05/01/10 at 09:15 PM | Reply with quote | #39 |
|
My cockatiels (all 20 of them) eat fruit and vegetables and pasta and grains and greens and anything that's put in front of them. All birds should be taught to eat fresh fruit and veggies and one should never give up on this. It took my African Grey TEN YEARS before he finally picked up a piece of broccoli, even though it was in his bowl every single day.
My cockatiels also readily eat all sorts of pellets including Roudybush and ZuPreem. You'll often read that their birds won't touch the stuff but you must be more stubborn than they are. KEEP AT IT! Don't give up! Your birds' health is at stake if you don't give it your all.
|
| Loading... | |
| birdlady1 |
| | 05/01/10 at 09:17 PM | Reply with quote | #40 |
|
Re the Cheerios and any other cold cereal....read the ingredients. There is usually an excess of iron added to the cereal (meant for human children of course who need it) so any cold cereal should be offered in moderation and not on a daily basis. Too much iron will cause serious medical problems in birds. |
| Loading... | |
| birdlady1 |
| | 05/01/10 at 09:19 PM | Reply with quote | #41 |
|
Re baths: Sometimes my male cockatiels are the first ones in front of the spray bottle and push the females away. They love it! |
| Loading... | |
| Cate |
| | 05/02/10 at 12:34 PM | Reply with quote | #42 |
|
| Birdlady is absolutely correct in mentioning iron but there is another ingredient in Cheerios that can be harmful if not deadly. Zinc. It can be accumulated in a birds body and not show any symptoms until the bird becomes very ill. |
| Loading... | |
| canarylover |
| | 05/06/10 at 01:26 PM | Reply with quote | #43 |
|
Tiels eat cooked whole grains mixed with cooked vegetables very well (they love corn, diced carrots, chopped green beans, baby peas, etc). They also love fresh greens but most of them only eat fruit in chunks during the breeding season. But getting used to eating a large variety takes a long time so you need to keep on insisting even if it takes years.
As to her unfriendliness, even hand-raised birds will revert to a more untamed behavior if not handled constantly. I don't believe in keeping small birds as pets so I cannot help you with changing that.
As to the size of the cage, in my personal opinion, the size mentioned before is too small. I would use a medium size flight cage.
|
| Loading... | |
