i just got two cockatiels, the pet store said they are still babies or young ya know. iw as wonder any tips on teaching the step up technic? to get them on ur finger and such cause they dont want nothin to do with it, any advice on this is much appreciated.
2007-02-13 14:30:39 · 10 answers · asked by lil_momma21505 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
you don't need to clip their wings, that's nonsense.
I have two cockatiels as well as other birds, in a large aviary outside. Both were about a year old when purchased and semi hand raised.
If you want tame birds, ensure they are either hand raised or semi hand raised, with lots of human contact.
you simply need to spend a lot of time with them, talk to them in a calm voice and whistle to them. Naturally curious, they will eventually come closer and closer and fly onto your shoulder or head. This may take some months!
Then, just gently place your flat hand in front of their bellies while whistling or talking to them. They will eventually simply step up, but only after they have established your trust.
Both my birds are now tame, after another year. They fly around a 3 x 5m aviary and now readily fly onto me, copying whatever whistles I give them. They also love a scratch on the head.
Give them plenty of stimulating toys, as they are very inquisitive.
Good luck, be patient and ensure they are not 'stuck' inside a small cage.
2007-02-20 02:44:36 · answer #1 · answered by Aussie mum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to give your bird a period of adjustment. Your bird is stressed in its new situation and probably flaps around the cage when you approach. Do not consider taming it until it has settled into a routine. This may take a few days to a couple of weeks. Once a cockatiel is eating well, vocalizing, preening, and bathing, it is adjusted to its new home.
Once the cockatiel has settled in, you can begin taming. Make sure your bird's wings are clipped. A cockatiel with free flight will simply fly away from you and not return. Its important to clip the wings during the training period- the feathers will grow back in time if you want them to.
Once the bird's wings are clipped you can begin the taming process. With a small towel, remove your bird from its cage and hold it gently in the towel to prevent it from biting you. It may scream and struggle, but you should continue to be calm and talk to it in a low, soothing voice. Take the bird to a small room- a bathroom is ideal, but be sure to close the toilet lid and remove any dangerous items that may fall and break if the bird comes in contact with them. Sit on the floor with your knees bent into "mountains" and place the bird gently on top of one of your knees, holding it there for a moment before you let go. The moment you let go the bird will probably flutter away from you in a desperate escape attempt. Gather up the bird again and try to place it on your knee again. Repeat this action until the bird eventually stands there for a moment. Remember to remain calm. The bird may not want to stand on your knee in the first few sessions, but keep trying. You can do this twice a day for 20 minutes each session, but no more than that. You want to begin to build trust with the bird, not stress it out.
Once you've reached the point when your bird will stand on your knee, talk to it in a very calm voice and begin to move one hand slowly up your leg toward the bird. This may cause it to flutter off of your knee again. No matter- simply try again. Little by little, session after session, move your hand slowly up your leg until the bird allows it to come very close. The idea here is that the bird should eventually allow contact with your hand. This may take quite a while, so be patient. Once the bird allows your hand to approach closely, try to tickle its chest with your finger or scratch its head and neck if it allows, still moving very slowly. After a few sessions of doing this you can begin to try to get the bird to stand on your hand. Remember, all of this should be done with a lot of patience. Using low lighting in the bathroom can often help.
2007-02-16 12:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by miss preetyface 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before you begin training the step up command begin by letting your birds get used to you. They will feel more confident about stepping up when they are comfortable with you and feel they can trust you. When they are not shying away from your hands or your approach to the cage begin the step up command. Put your finger directly in front of the chest and above the feet. Gently push on the chest and say "Step Up" clearly. If they step up repeat the process by using your other hand in the same way. Then create a virtual ladder by continually going from one hand to the other. Repeat for about ten times and then call it a day and work on it again tommorow.
If when you first try it they shy away or back up from your hand instead of coming onto it. Give them some more time to get used to you. Spend time with your hand in the cage just talking to them. Put some of their favorite seed/treats in your hand for them to eat.
2007-02-13 14:37:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To Get them to step up up you put your finger on or near their chest and tell them step up, come on, jump or what ever phrase. It just needs to be the same phrase every time you do this. They can learn all kinds of tricks, but you do need to spend time with them handling them. another fun one to teach them is when they are sitting on your finger, hold them up to your face (not directly in your face) and tell them "give me kisses" or whatever phrase you like and then make a clicky kissy noise. This is a easy one and soon they will do it to you with out you having to ask.
I have a 1 year old male he doesn't care to be petted but loves to play (he wrestles with my hand) is a great talker and is in love with my dog.
My Little guy has quit a few sentences but still wont say hello... Go figure....
You pretty much just spend time holding them petting them and lots of talking (yes cocktails can be very good talkers)
2007-02-13 20:36:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also got a cockateil today. I did alot of research about it. I think you should try to get him use to you first. Then try training the step ups by telling him to step up on to your finger. Try repeating yourself over and over until it does it. Then if he finally does do it, give him a nice reward. GOOD LUCK!
2007-02-13 19:15:49 · answer #5 · answered by tomcc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first thing you need to do is start a bonding period with your tiels and yourself. The easiest way to do this is to first make sure that their wings are clipped. This makes them have to depend on you. Spend time with them for a few days holding them, talking them, and letting them ride on your shoulders. Try to get them to take treats out of your hands. It's pretty instinctive for birds to step up when they are touched on their chest right above their legs. Take your finger and touch the area and say step up, hop up, up, whatever you want to call it. When he steps up say GOOD BIRD! and give him scritches. then tell him to step down, and place your hand near a surface for him to step off of. When he does, again praise him and say GOOD BIRD, and give him scritches. You can do the drill with him for about 15 minutes per session each day. cockatiels are smart and if you already earned their trust the step up and down command comes pretty easily and instinctively. Just spend time with your bird and when you put him on your finger say step up. But, if you haven't gotten their wings clipped, I strongly advise that you do. that way they are forced to 'submit' basically. Hope that helps. For the record I have to of the most tame tiels you have ever met. They both sit on my shoulders and lay their heads down on me for scritches. I can take them anywhere without them trying to fly away. One of them gives me kisses and makes kissing sounds. the other will lay on her back and let me scratch her tummy.
2007-02-14 02:44:26 · answer #6 · answered by stop_staring_please 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just spend time with them, they will become bonded to you and you will see how each of their individual personalities come alive. I love my cockatiels.
2007-02-14 21:22:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're trying to teach your birds to say words then it takes a while.
Say something you want them to say a few times a day. Then they start to pick up what you want them to say then eventually they say it on their own.
2007-02-13 16:55:47 · answer #8 · answered by car.ken. 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do it slowly it takes time... i don't remember how i got my cockatiel to get one my finger... all i remember is that i got him to kiss me on my cheek for about a week and that was it.... know he doesn't want anything to do with anybody
2007-02-13 14:38:04 · answer #9 · answered by armywifes3lb 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jen Your big news here...
:)! http://www.osoq.com/funstuff/extra/extra03.asp?strName=Jen
2007-02-13 14:55:09 · answer #10 · answered by did h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋