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Post by orange on Jul 16, 2006 18:13:46 GMT
Ok so now I have a cockatiel who is from a pet shop, I have no idea how old he is because my mum bought him for me as a surprise and didn't think to ask. I have had a look at a good site called something like cockatiel cottage which had some good advice about taming them but I was hoping that I might be able to get some advice from you owners and experts about it, any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
I hope he will take to it better than the kaks... I am starting to think that they just don't like me or something. Everyday when they are in their cage (which isn't much) I sit with my hand in there watching tv and talking to them softly, holding a piece of brocolli (Pukus fav) and only a few times in the whole time I have had her has she come and taken a nibble, the rest of the time they might come and land on my hand or arm for a second, maybe give me a nibble and fly off after a second or two!!! When they are out, they fly really close and occasionally land on my head or something but thats it. It was better when I was feeding Ollie because Puku was curious and come right over and walk on me to see him but now, they just would rather be with each other!! Oh well, I will have them for years so hopefully in their own time they might take more interest. Hopefully too, if I can tame Bertie well, then they might be more inclined to come and see me if I have him out with me?!! anyway, waffling... sorry!
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Post by lin on Jul 17, 2006 0:34:13 GMT
Tiels are probably the friendliest small parrot. Follow basic taming tips - and here I will tell you that tiels would do cartwheels for millett They love head scratches - just behind their crest is a bald spot, and they love to have that scratched - although Woosie prefers her chin stroked, but I believe that is quite unusual. Once tame, you will NEVER get this bird off your shoulder Before you know it, poor Mr Orange will be overrun with tiels However, I think that a tiel can turn even the hardest hearted person into a willing slave. My tame tiels were handfed, so I have no experience with taming at an older age, but any help I can give you I am more than willing too. Just ask
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Post by orange on Jul 17, 2006 0:55:07 GMT
Thats great, thanks lin!!!
It's funny you should mention that bald spot, I noticed it earlier and was going to ask about it!
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Post by silvercloud on Jul 17, 2006 9:03:53 GMT
Oh thats wonderful. I'm sure you'll have him tame in no time.
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Post by judy on Jul 17, 2006 10:09:50 GMT
Good luck with taming. You will do a good job.
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Post by orange on Jul 17, 2006 10:52:21 GMT
Thanks guys! I do hope so, seeing as it says everywhere how easy they are to tame!!! lol
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Post by a11ycat on Jul 18, 2006 12:42:08 GMT
Just remember that tiel's can be stubborn little things, if they get stuck in their ways then it'll take a lot to change it! I have two tiels, Sunny loves being scritched around her neck, particularly under her chin, whereas Minstrel still hates fingers and I've had him for 6 months! Good luck with him!
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Post by lin on Jul 18, 2006 13:41:32 GMT
All;ycat - isn't that unusual - my Woosie likes being stroked along the jaw line, but I haven't known any other tiels that like it! We must have odd birds #cheesy#
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Post by orange on Jul 18, 2006 23:20:12 GMT
Well, Bertie won't let me get near him yet, so I am a bit far off scratching him anywhere!! The last couple of days I have been putting his cage on the coffee table right in front of the sofa so that he gets used to us being near his cage and walking past all the time. Whenever I have watched the tv I have sat there with my hand just in the cage and he seems to be getting used to that as he now sits and preens himself and sings after a few minutes and seems pretty relaxed. I think that it's going to take a long time, he is very nervous! It's a bit of a shame, if I would have bought one myself, I would have got a hand reared one, specially seeing as I don't have experience with this sort of thing! Ah well, I will get there eventually!
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Post by a11ycat on Jul 19, 2006 9:33:43 GMT
It sounds like its going well already for you! If he can relax with your hand in the cage then thats great! Have you tried offering him millet? That would probably be the ideal bribe to get him to come nearer your hand!!!
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Post by Berserka on Jul 19, 2006 10:50:49 GMT
Good luck with the training Dawn, I'm sure with your patience you will soon have him sitting on your hand.
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Post by orange on Jul 19, 2006 16:07:52 GMT
I do hope so, thanks for the vote of confidence! I haven't tried offering him anything yet but in the next couple of days I will, I want him to get used to the hand first.
I was just wondering, is it normal for tiels to just sit and do nothing for ages?? I am used to the kaks always being on the go. Just want to make sure he's not ill or anything, he eats, drinks and preens has a little chew of his toys every now and again but doesn't hop around much at all! His poos look normal too, maybe he is still just settling in, I have only had him for 3 and a half days.
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Post by lin on Jul 20, 2006 0:46:53 GMT
Tiels are very placid birds. My Woosie rarely does anything that requires enegy- the only reason she shredded the mouse cord was because she wanted scratches, and the mouse was getting them all #cheesy# #cheesy# #cheesy# Princess is a bit more active, but, they really are placid, and happy to just sit and contemplate. I'm sure yours will become slightly more active, but, compared to kaks, tiels are comatose #cheesy# #cheesy# #cheesy#
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Post by silvercloud on Jul 20, 2006 3:10:28 GMT
LOL@Lin
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Post by orange on Jul 20, 2006 9:55:47 GMT
Oh good! Glad to hear that it's normal behaviour! I am getting clsoer, today he has stopped shimmying away from me when I go to his cage! Small progress every day!
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