Please someone help me with my bird?

Question

I'm trying to help my cockatiel bath by turning the water in the sink low and setting her in so she can bathe and clean her feathers and stuff. The problem is, everytime I tried this she kept running up my arm to my shoulder. I tried turning the water off then setting her in, then turning water on but it didn't work. All that happened after this was her tail feathers got wet. I took her out and brought her back so she could settle down a bit. Now when I put her on my finger she's terrified that she has to bathe again and she jumps on my shoulder. Please, I need tips so my cockatiel won't be afraid. I've tried the sink 3 times. She always chirps and screams when I try. (I don't need people saying why are you giving your bird a bath! etc.) I need real answers from experts

Answer 1

i have a cockatiel too. if she's just a baby (up to about 4 years), then she's just a bit scared if this is a new thing....and needs alot of love & attention when flying around the house & sitting on ur sholder...
& the way i bathe her is that i get an old (or new- it's optional) shallow pan & fill it up part way with luke-warm water. then instead of just plopping her in there, i place her on the edge of it & kinda tap the water. then i go about my own business (but always keep an eye on her). my bird likes her privacy when bathing, eating, or climbing out of it's cage.
Good luck with ur bird!!

Answer 2

First, if your cockatiel ever does get used to bathing in the sink, don't just put her in the sink itself. There are all kinds of bacteria that could make her sick, and you also don't want to put her in there right after you've cleaned it with any chemicals. Use a clean kitchen sink, and set a shallow pan or pie plate in it with some lukewarm water in it.

Now, since she's not taking to the sink, don't try to force her. Try the spray bottle and mist her once a day. Use a brand new, clean bottle that's never had anything in it, and that sprays a fine mist not a hard stream. Spray her in the morning so she has the day to preen and dry, and don't spray her directly in the face. You don't want to get water in her nose or eyes. Just use plain water. Don't use the bird bath sprays you can get at the pet supply stores. Cockatiels produce their own oil to coat their feathers from their preening gland, and you don't want to disturb that balance with chemicals.

You can also try taking her into the shower with you. My cockatiel sits on the shower rod when I'm in there and he looked curious one day so I took him down, set him on my shoulder and very slowly moved him under just the edge of the shower where the water doesn't come down as hard. He loved it! He fluffed up, spread his wings and chirped up a storm. However, it was a one-time thing because I haven't been able to get him to do it since then.

Most of all, be patient. The main thing is not to frighten her or traumatize her by forcing her to do something she obviously doesn't want to do. Good luck!

Answer 3

Baths don't always have to be "baths". Spraying a mist of water over him with a spray bottle can substitute as a bath if your bird likes it. You will be able to tell as he will fluff his feathers out, spread his wings and dance around under the spray.

If you want some interaction with your bird you can go as far as letting him shower with you. They do sell perches you can hang in your shower or you can make your own. Either way be sure to allow for a spot where he can get away from the water if he wanted to.

Answer 4

I think the best way to start is to use a misty spray. Really gently spray on the bird so she can get the idea of the water. Another way is to put a small container in the cage, but sometimes they don't even know it's for taking a bath. You can't force a bird to take a bath.

Answer 5

Try getting her a bird bath that fits on to the door of the cage. Also, try misting her lightly to get her use to the water. I know for a fact that if you keep at it, EVENTUALLY you will get her to bathe, and she will love it and bathe every day!!

Hang in there! Bathing is good for them,especially Cockatiels, as they have heavy dander.....

Steve

Answer 6

the best thing to do is remove all the stuff from the cage and leave a bowl of water on the bottom. The bird will get the idea. then move on to putting the bowl of water in the sink. Get the idea? It will work if you are paitent

Answer 7

No, it truly is a parasitical birds egg. Cuckoos do this. Cowbirds do this, although they promote off the unique eggs. A parasitical poultry lays eggs in yet another form birds nest and the the poultry who's nest it really is will advance the parasites youthful. some species will wait till hatching to promote off the unique eggs, or kill the unique nestlings,. bypass to perfect ten and ask poultry female for an identity of the egg. i imagine Indigo is ideal. I purely were given an identity at " Cow poultry egg " in my handle bar and it appears that evidently like a adventure. This seems a version on common Cow poultry dumping habit, although.

Answer 8

These are some very good answers. But you need to find out what your bird wants. Birds will groom and keep themselves clean, but they need to do it their way. Let her tell you how she wants to do it.
Try what everyone has suggested and even misting her with a spray bottle. If you keep doing what you're doing, she will no longer trust you and your bond will be broken.
Plus you'll give her nightmares. Yes, animals do have nightmares.
Listen to her. It's good training for having children.
Good luck

Answer 9

You can get like a pie or cake pan and put some warm water in it. Let her try it out. If that doesnt work get a spray bottle (brand new, never used for anything) and mist her. I hope i helped

Answer 10

I used a spray bottle with water in it to bathe my bird.