How to tame

ph33nyx · Jan 16, 2018

To make a long story short, I have found myself as the new owner of an untamed cockatiel (as of Sunday) named Finn. What I've done so far is: I've left him in his cage and I will talk to him for about 10-15 min at a time. However, he can just about always see and hear me with Peanut, my pineapple gcc. Last night I thought I'd try giving him some spray millet, which he would take through his cage bars, but not with my hand in the cage.
Am I doing ok with this, or am i moving too fast with things? I've never had to tame a bird.
TIA

LordTriggs · Jan 16, 2018

I'd say you're going okay so far, one of the largest steps is taking food with your hand in the cage. Being able to offer a treat through the bars is a good step

just time and patience right now until it clicks for Finn that the hand is a good thing

reeb · Jan 16, 2018

Hi!

Last year I made a sticky post on taming and bonding with budgies, and this method is as effective on 'tiels! You can read up about it here. I went into a lot of detail so I hope it will help in some way.

Good luck!

MooshieBird · Jan 16, 2018

There isn't really a generic too fast or too slow, different birds react differently. From what I read sounds like you are doing fine. If you go too fast Finn will let you know. And thank you for taking on the responsibility of Finn.

ph33nyx · Jan 16, 2018

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try hand in cage today, but not move my hand, and see what he does.

ph33nyx · Jan 16, 2018

That was an interesting event. At first he didn't even seem to notice my hand. Then he went into "attack mode", but it didn't last long (maybe a minute), then the pecking turned into more like licking, and the next thing I knew he was standing on my arm. I called it a good session after that and am letting him have some time to rest.

reeb · Jan 16, 2018

ph33nyx said:
That was an interesting event. At first he didn't even seem to notice my hand. Then he went into "attack mode", but it didn't last long (maybe a minute), then the pecking turned into more like licking, and the next thing I knew he was standing on my arm. I called it a good session after that and am letting him have some time to rest.

That’s amazing progress!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ph33nyx · Jan 16, 2018

I'm beginning to think Finn was tame at one point and he just lost his manners. I've now got him eating treats from my hand and he will step up!
I still can't give him scratches on his head, but the way things are going I don't think it will take too long.

MooshieBird · Jan 16, 2018

Grats! sounds like you have nothing to worry about.

Carl_Power · Jan 17, 2018

Try hand in cage, offer treat then hand straight out. Its just about making the bird feel comfy. If he is taking food from your hand then its a really good sign. Try his fave fruit, something he cant resist, it will allow you to hand feed him for longer periods. You will get there dont worry x

ph33nyx · Jan 17, 2018

So, here's a question for you...
When will it be safe to let him out of the cage. I hate to do it now, since he's still getting used to everything (including me).

ph33nyx · Jan 18, 2018

I thought that Finn and I were starting to become buds. He had started stepping up, eating out of my hand, etc. Then today he was eating from my hand, then when his treat was all gone he hauled of and drew blood biting me so hard!

How to tame

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