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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 16, 2014 19:54:00 GMT
Hi, all.
Silver has been here three days now, and I think things are going well.
- He knows how to step up.
- He will sit on my finger or on my shoulder.
- If I try to touch his head or put my hand over him he tries to fly away.
- His wings are clipped, but he still manages to get a little altitude.
- He is eating well and beak grinding, even if I am near him.
- When I go over to the cage, or even when I first get him up on my finger, he will stand on one foot and stretch out the opposite wing. I was surprised when he first did that after getting on my finger. I was surprised that, being so young, he had that amount of balance!!
I am wondering the following:
- I am supposed to take him back to the store next Wednesday for a health check, and they said they could clip his wings a little more and grind down his nails a little (they are quite sharp).
--- Do you think I should have him clipped just a little bit more?
--- How have you tamed your cockatiels to allow head scratches or to allow being picked up for grooming? Do you think I should start training this with millet, or is it too soon?
I am very eager to do everything right with Silver. I want him to be affectionate. I am keeping him in a separate room from my other birds.
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Post by Sarah on Feb 16, 2014 20:17:51 GMT
I would start training him immediately, so that he will settle in to life in your home like that within his first month adjustment period. It took a little while for me to be able to pet Pirate the way I do now, because he didn't know me yet. Just be with him, and work with him, and he will start to love you  If he already steps up and perches well, I would start on recall training, so that you can command him to fly to you. Cockatiels are so prone to obesity and the illnesses that come with it, I don't like the idea of close clipping them even when they are young. It is important for him to be able to exercise. |
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 16, 2014 21:25:50 GMT
Thank you, Sarah.
I love him so much already. I think I will avoid any further clipping.
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 16, 2014 21:54:22 GMT
In my opinion, you should not clip him again. Lucy flew just as much as you say Smokey does when I brought her home. But I have not had her clipped since. It makes life easier for me because now she is pretty much full flighted. I've had her since late October. It takes so long for them to grow back you should be fine. Lucy bonded with me a lot in the time period from when I brought her home to now.
As for head scratches just gradually introduce him to it. Take the suggestion Sarah told me you should reach for his head as an open palm as if you were opening a doorknob. Then scratch his cheek patch. They hate fingers being projected towards them.
Hope it helps!
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 16, 2014 23:15:02 GMT
Lisa--
Does that mean put the hand over his head, coming from the front of the bird? Or, from the side of his head?
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 16, 2014 23:16:41 GMT
Either/or. Your hand is much bigger than the bird's head so I just go from overtop of Lucy's. She gets very angry when I come at her with just a finger out. Lol
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Post by roxhum on Feb 17, 2014 14:48:18 GMT
Be careful what you wish for. Lucy is like the dog that is always rolling over on his back for a tummy rub. She constantly wants her head, neck, cheek and jaw scratched.
I have another question, or two. Pearl obviously was trained to step up on a stick and will shy away from fingers when she is loose and I want to get her. Suggestions on teaching her to step up on my finger instead. Pearl is hard to put away. She will step up on a stick, I can transfer her to my finger, or not, but as soon as she knows we are heading for the cage she flies off.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 15:15:23 GMT
Roxhum,
I have read that one should place a finger along the stick (not that close to the bird at first), then gradually move the finger a little closer to the end of the perch each day, until the perch disappears into your hand.
As far as getting back into the cage: It's been a while since I have had that problem. But, last night Emma just wouldn't go in. I tried millet, I tried turning off the lights. Nothing helped. She was such a stinker! Millet usually works. I think last night it may have been because she can hear that another cockatiel is in the house.
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 17, 2014 15:33:18 GMT
For me I just cup Lucy in my hands then put her in her cage! Like I cover her wings so she can't fly
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 17, 2014 15:35:24 GMT
I like the cupping idea, of course you have to get them to let you have them on the palm.
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 17, 2014 15:38:12 GMT
Ever think about putting peanut butter on your finger to get them to step up and stay there? Just a thought.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 17:10:01 GMT
I will try the peanut butter. I don't personally like peanut butter and don't have it in the house. But, if it would work, I'd use it!
I have a feeling the cupping might work for Pearl. I will be interested in what Roxhum says. Emma is too quick and handshy.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 18:51:43 GMT
Roxie, when you get Pearl onto your finger, and she's good with it until you head for the cage, try gently putting your other hand around her back so she won't fly off. Let us know how these suggestions work for you.
I keep forgetting about peanut butter! With all my kids, we always have peanut butter right here in the cupboard. I'm gonna give my birdies some right now, for a special treat....
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Post by roxhum on Feb 18, 2014 14:53:37 GMT
Thank you all for your suggestions. The easiest would be to put my hand over her back to take her to the cage. I was being stubborn and wanted her to just behave. LOL
She is totally finger trained, accept for when she is loose and in high up places. It is just kind of weird that she refuses my finger but will readily get ion a stick. I am so spoiled with Sweetie who is easy easy easy. Pearl is much more flighty and head strong. Consequently she ends up getting less attention. I need to figure out a training program for her.
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