My mom bought Cockatiels about 10 years back.. for about 6 years she neglected them, just ignored them. The are mine now and they are not plesant. I've been thinking about getting rid of them but they can't be seperated or they'll die. They're destructive sometimes too. I don't know what to do, I can hardly touch them. Any suggestions?
2007-03-08 08:26:56 · 5 answers · asked by All I have to do is dream... 4 in Pets ➔ Birds
for as long as these birds have been wild (neglected) it will probably be pretty hard to tame them. I don't think that seperating them would kill them. I would start looking into a breeding program. You can find a breeder that would be happy to take them in I'm sure.
2007-03-08 13:56:16 · answer #1 · answered by peek-a-boo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a Cockateil many years ago, and could not stand the screeching. I did not want to just let the bird go, as it would not have survived. I spoke to the man at the Pet Store and he took the bird back to sell to someone else. Maybe this is an option for you. There will be other people who can maybe manage these little creatures. Shame they have been handled that way, but if you cannot help, pass them on to someone who can.
2007-03-08 16:36:13 · answer #2 · answered by Lorraine P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are destructive for that exact reason, they were neglected. Birds need at least 15 minutes a day out of their cage. Sometimes when birds bite or get deffensive, they are scared. Be gentile with them, and don't get frightened or jumpy when you try to be with them. When they bite, slowly take your hand out of the cage or slightly blow on them. I hope this advice works.
2007-03-08 19:14:03 · answer #3 · answered by Emily I 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am assuming a few things here, so bear with me. you say they cant be separated, so im assuming you have a bonded pair (possibly a breeding pair). good call with not separating them. im also assuming you only have 2.
the first thing you need to do is give yourself a pat on the back for seeking help instead of just dumping the birds on somebody else.
ok, the best place to start is to get a 'training perch'- this is any perch with no food or water or toys that is tall enough that they cannot just jump off of.
clip thir wings (or get somebody to do it if you are unsure of what to do). you will agree it is easier to work with a bird that is on the perch as opposed to on the cabinets in the kitchen.
take one of them out and put him/her on the perch. you need to establish that you are 'top bird' in this flock and the best way to do that is to establish dominance by making him go where he doesnt want to go and be nice about it.
by that i mean, teach him the 'step up' command. you will prob'ly be bitten your fair amount of times. do not wear gloves. just deal with it. use some kind of treat. i used seed sized little pinches of marshmallow to teach my bird and it worked great.
you may not be able to teach them this in one day, and your fingers will prob'ly be sore.
and speaking of fingers. do not EVER jerk your hand back when they lunge at you or bite you. if you jerk your hand back you are letting them win and that just says that they are top bird and not you.
be patient and be gentle, they will need some work being so old and set in their ways.
i hope what i have told you helps
good luck!
2007-03-08 17:28:55 · answer #4 · answered by JessicaL 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just be gentle to them and pet them and feed them little carrots.
2007-03-08 16:30:49 · answer #5 · answered by urrrp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋