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Post by budgieboy on Dec 16, 2013 19:46:22 GMT
I'm going to get a cockatiel in July I need some help with getting the right cage etc.
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Post by Pammy on Dec 16, 2013 20:30:47 GMT
Chace, I don't want to be a downer, but you've told us that you can only be at your mom's house with your budgies half of the time. Cockatiels are even more needy of their human's love and companionship than budgies are, and it would not be good for a cockatiel to sit in a cage and wait for you while you spend half the week at your dad's. I'm so sorry to kill off an exciting idea, but I truly believe this isn't an ideal plan for you for now, unless your mom is FULLY onboard with being a very hands-on caregiver for your cockatiel during the times you cannot be there. I don't just mean providing food and water, but lots of time, attention and outside-of-the-cage cuddle time. I strongly suggest you talk with your mom and see just how much involvement she wants to have with your cockatiel.
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Post by Sarah on Dec 16, 2013 20:33:37 GMT
I agree with Pammy. I couldn't advise it unless it would be as much your parent's bird as your own, Chace. Cockatiels need constant love, reinforcement and activity - at least an hour outside the cage each day for play and affection. Your bird will become sour, angry and a screamer if you have to leave him in his cage for days at a time. Make sure your parents are really on board, and then I will walk you through all the things you need to make sure your cockatiel has a happy life
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 16, 2013 20:33:56 GMT
I can ride the buss to my moms every day and on the weekends I can get a ride I always think things through
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Post by Sarah on Dec 16, 2013 20:36:18 GMT
Is your father okay with you spending that amount of time away?
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Post by Pammy on Dec 16, 2013 20:46:54 GMT
Remember, Chace, that when you are supposed to be at your dad's, that's his precious time with his son, and he wants to spend it with you. He might not like the idea of you going to your mom's for an hour everyday during your time with him.
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 16, 2013 21:23:23 GMT
He is rarely home tho
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Post by rdkntriker on Dec 16, 2013 21:40:52 GMT
As a Parent and now a Grand Parent, I would also agree with Sarah and Pammy. I know many people that got to many pets to care for and in the end the pet loses. You have many many years in front of you to get a Cockatiel. If you are that set on doing it. Pretend you have one now and see if giving it the time now interferes. Ride the bus then when you get home read a book on them for an hour, then ride bus back. Same as getting a ride on the weekend.
This will give you and your Parents an idea of how this will work out. Many plans look good on paper just to fall apart on execution.
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 17, 2013 14:35:23 GMT
My parents live very close and if I do get a cockatiel it will be in July and I have a bike to get back and forth
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 17, 2013 14:40:51 GMT
I am getting a leopard gecko the day after Christmas
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Post by dianapalmer on Dec 17, 2013 14:44:00 GMT
You may be able to bike in the summer. However, a cockatiel would be a year-round pet. What is it that makes you want a cockatiel?
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 17, 2013 14:47:06 GMT
They are really pretty birds
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Post by dianapalmer on Dec 17, 2013 15:05:14 GMT
Chace, It must be hard, hearing us all talk about our cockatiels, not to want one. They are very pretty. However, budgies are, in many ways, even prettier. There is a difference between "having" something and "building a relationship" with something. There are different kinds of bird owners. Some just want to "have" the bird to look at. If the bird has a companion of the same species and a large enough cage this can work. To have a bird as a companion animal--to "build a relationship" with it, requires daily attention. I am fortunate to be retired. If I was still working, I think having a cockatiel would be too much of a commitment for me. Two or more budgies, however, would be an okay commitment. Cockatiels can develop serious problem behaviors if they do not have enough attention and training. They are known for screaming for attention. They can bite really, really hard. Everyone on this forum seems to have good relations with their cockatiels. I have been on another forum, just for cockatiel owners, where many report difficulties with screaming and biting. If you are still thinking about a cockatiel, I would recommend reading "Cockatiels for Dummies." It is quite a good book about what is required to take care of and build a relationship with a cockatiel. Another thing is, you may have only begun to explore the joys of having budgies. You could get a book called "Clicker Training for Birds" from Amazon.com. It describes how you can get your budgies even more tame and teach them to do tricks. Here is a lovely youtube video that shows what is possible with a parakeet:
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Post by dianapalmer on Dec 17, 2013 15:12:51 GMT
And, here's another video, with even more advanced tricks!
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Post by budgieboy on Dec 17, 2013 15:32:37 GMT
Something you don't know about me is I like a chalange and I would love building a great relationship with the cockitiel that I will get
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