training cockateil

SkitzChik

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Dec 15, 2014
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Australia
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Cockatiel
I adopted a cockateil today and he is very aggressive. I have had cocjateils before but they had all been hand raised so I'm not sure how to train my little dude. He is very agrivated and just stares at me lol when I went to transfer him to a more suitable cage he bit me very hard and wouldn't let go. He is hissing and panting at me a lot aswell and just taking every possible measure to avoid me. I have never had a cockatiel like this and I'm just wondering if its normal? Will he be able to be properly trained to be like my other hand raised tiels? How do i go about training him properly to be the affectionate tiel I'm used to owning?
Tia everyone:white1:
 

EAI

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Jul 25, 2014
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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Budgerigar: Arrow, Esther, Kratos, Cora, Ducky.


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An angry, parent-raised cockatiel is pretty much what you'd expect after only a day and I would say it's normal.

It has been less than 24 hours, so he still needs time to adjust to his environment and get comfortable so he knows his new home isn't a threat. Because he's parent-raised it's common for him to have a deep fear and probably hatred of people/hands because he sees them as a predator. The biting and hissing is in self-defense.

How did you go about when transferring him to his new cage/how did you transfer him?

With a lot of patience and effort he should be as tamed like your other Tiels. Remember to go on his terms and continue only when he's ready. You don't want to break that trust. There are lot's of tips on training an untamed parrot. Don't be discouraged to see people getting their trust in less then a day or week. All animals are individuals and may require more time than others. Try different methods and see which one he responds more positively to.
 
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SkitzChik

SkitzChik

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Thank you for your advice :) the woman said he was hand raised but didn't get as much one on one time as the others.
When I transfered I tried pushing my finger under his chest and doing the usual "up" thing but he had none of it and just freaked out so I end up just picking him up around his wings and body and tried comforting him as I put him in his cage but he just latched on and would not let go of my fingers, he didn't break the skin although I could feel the bite right through my finger lol, I had to transfer him, the cage he was in was tiny and I wouldn't even home a budgie in it :/ i just wasn't sure if this behavior was normal as I've never had a tiel like this. I have been sitting by his cage most of the day just watching TV and placing my hand in the cage every so often so he gets used to me, and kissing at him and talking to him, he seems a bit more comfy with me at the moment, usually he sits right at the back of the cage against the wall but I looked over and he's on the front perch looking at me, so that's a good sign :)
I'll just keep up what I'm doing and sharing my fruit with him and I'm sure we'll be best friends in no time :)
 

MikeyTN

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Feb 1, 2011
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Antioch, TN
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"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
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A handfed tamed cockatiel can go wild easily if not socialized with on a daily basis. Especially when there's other cockatiels around. Best to get him into a room with no distraction and work with him one on one on the floor. It can be done! It usually takes me about 30min to do it. Then after that you just have to earn their trust and start working with the stepping up process. If your able to get him to sit on you, that would help quite a bit for socializing. Don't force the step up issue until you climb over his barrier for the time being.
 

strudel

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Sep 30, 2013
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You reminded me of how my weiros were when I first adopted them. They bit me, hard. And they'd climb away if I had to do anything in their cage and carry on like they were about to be murdered. They aren't fully tamed (because I don't really care that much) but they'll accept being handled and they'll sit on my finger if I put them there. I could probably get them fully tamed if I put in the effort. Chances are you'll be able to get your little bloke accepting you like old friends. I think sharing your food is a pretty good reason to get them to like you.
 
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SkitzChik

SkitzChik

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Dec 15, 2014
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Australia
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Cockatiel
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Thank you all for giving me such great advice :) I feel a little more confident in training him now :) I'll keep everyone updated in my progress.
I still haven't picked a name for him yet [emoji14] that's been the hardest thing so far haha
 

strudel

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I still haven't picked a name for him yet
You see? He's not the only one dealing with a stranger.... He'll get a name and then he'll be Calvin (or whoever) and you'll be Calvin's mum. You haven't even been properly introduced yet, either of you.
 

kalypso123

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I would leave the cage door open and see if he comes out on his own with you sitting there. Make sure you pick up anything that he could get into. He may decide he likes you on his own terms. He will also become more adjusted with his new environment.
 

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