I have a cockatiel now that I could not say no to coming into my home. I am the 3rd family he has known, (traumatic) just as any of my pets I have a real weak spot for them, thier family abandonded them. I have a lot of outdoor animals and quite a few outdoor pets, but this is the first one that was totally dependent on human contact. He is fine, his name is Vito and he is totally spoiled getting the run of the house. My problem is that I work long hours and he is alone at least 8 to 10 hours a day. He is fine with 2 to 3 hours of play outside the cage, but, I NEED TO KNOW, he talks and whistles and has a lot of words now, sorry didn't know he would learn words so easily,(nothing vulgar). I have heard if I got him a mate he would stop singing and talking, but then again if he had a male playmate he would be fine!! I definately do not have the time to care for his offspring if I did get a female..........from what I have read on cottage website. He is probably 10 now, any advice?
2006-11-06 07:55:50 · 6 answers · asked by lin 6 in Pets ➔ Birds
I automatically turn on the radio when I go to work, but in this country the power does wierd things and when I come home to static, I let him out right away cos I don't know how long he has been listening to it. My nerves get really fraid when I come home and think he is freaking out, but he seems almost human and shows it. I've rescued wild birds and have only a few that could not go back, but Vito is don't know how to say it, almost like a kid?? Seemingly saying protect me! He is so childlike, dunno.
2006-11-06 08:23:49 · update #1
Em & Angie, don't know how to vote. Will wait 10 minutes, but both of you have excellent advice. This is taking a long time to type cos Vito is on the keyboard trying I think to put in his say..At least he did not go near the esc key this time. Yeah he did!! and took it to his cage!! Honest, I have witnesses! He is sooooo, cute.
2006-11-06 08:45:29 · update #2
I have heard about the quarantine process, but don't know if I have the time to monitor it. Thank you Angie, will look foward to your other answers and advice. Ciao and thank you again.
2006-11-06 08:56:38 · update #3
Thank you Shelly his is pretty amazing, I need to vote now it is late 11 pm here in Italy. Thank you again.
2006-11-06 08:59:22 · update #4
Just voted, but I got a message that said I had to wait at least 4 hours. I will try tomorrow night. Thank you all again. Buono Serra. I am an American retired living in Italy, just wanted to explain the time differences.
2006-11-06 09:04:44 · update #5
The two to three hours a day that he spends outside of his cage is plenty fine for quality time. As long as you're around, he's a happy guy. He's a middle-aged man now. Besides, finding home for the offspring that you know you can't take care of is hard: they live longer than cats and they require more care.
When you're home, just make an effort to take him where you go. Get him a play stand, so you can carry him to the room you're in. You can also get a shower perch. They love to take a shower with you. The only place I don't recommend taking him is into the kitchen, where the fumes are. The smell of burning oil alone can be deadly to him. If you have any teflon in the house, get rid of it, too (I'm sure you read that at cockatiel cottage).
I have tons of parrots. I'll include a link to their pictures in my "source" section if you want to see them. I leave the house for class every day until evening, and they're all happy. I've never had a plucker or a squawker, because their cages are in the room where the "action" is, and I talk to them.
Here's a link to a message board I go to all the time for advice, and to meet other owners. They have a section just for cockatiels. Everyone here loves to talk. You'd be surprised how many people join who have this same issue all the time. Enjoy your pal! You're doing just fine! Here it is:
http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=13
2006-11-06 08:11:37 · answer #1 · answered by Em 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you did get another bird there is no guarantee they will ever like each other. At 10 your bird may not know he is a bird anymore. At first they would need to be kept very separate. First quarantine then close to each other within sight but not within attack range. A bird that has been talking a long time will probably teach the other bird to talk but no guarantee there is more chance that he will totally reject any intruder in his territory. I think you would need another cage that nobody owns.
A radio, good food and enough toys will keep him happy just the way he is.
2006-11-06 08:36:16 · answer #2 · answered by Angie C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never had any birds but you could just move his cage somewhere near a computer and make a big playlist on iTunes and just put it on playlist repeat and it wouldn't go static or anything, and when the monitor turns off the music keeps playing so he would still be able to listen to it
2006-11-06 08:30:02 · answer #3 · answered by Lindsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's no longer disrespectful till you consistently throw your selections in different's faces, putting down their option to have a distinctive existence. attempt to no longer be so protective approximately your existence selections. i think of you will properly be satisfied residing the type you desire, as long as you do attempt to maintain some close very own relationships. If persons venture your selections, properly, it is their subject and additionally you do no longer would desire to respond in any way - do no longer enable them to make you offended! that's a waste of your capability. stable success along with your existence.
2016-10-03 08:39:06 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put some toys out for vito and if the radio messes up ; leave the t.v.on and that way it would be like people were their with him.. sounds like a nice pet
2006-11-06 08:50:05 · answer #5 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why do you think he's not happy by himself.? leave the radio on for him for company. he'll be ok and he might learn some new words.
2006-11-06 08:05:22 · answer #6 · answered by Texas T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋