Free as a bird
Well-known member
- Jul 29, 2023
- 637
- 779
- Parrots
- 2 cockatiels
Since one of my cockatiels died my other tiel, Shifty, has become more difficult to put into his cage. There are just the two of us in the flock now and we share the space we live in. Shifty has a small cage inside and a large cage outside in an enclosed area.
There are only a few times that I need to put Shifty in his cage, when I cook, have a shower, leave my place or when it's sleep time. But getting him into a cage can be an ordeal.
I used to be able to put both of them into the cage while perched on my hand. But now Shifty refuses to even step up onto my hand, he can read my body language so well and if he does step up he just flies away as soon as he sees the cage coming.
I have to sit down and pretend I'm just chilling, then I can get him onto my hand and hold him. He usually likes being held cos he gets cuddles and scratches. Once I have him in my hands then I get him into the cage.
Otherwise once he knows I want him in the cage I have to catch him which I hate doing cos it can damage the trust in our flock.
I'm wondering how other people get their stubborn birds into their cages, do you have a routine, do use bribery or blackmail, or do you have to trick it like I do... 🙂
There are only a few times that I need to put Shifty in his cage, when I cook, have a shower, leave my place or when it's sleep time. But getting him into a cage can be an ordeal.
I used to be able to put both of them into the cage while perched on my hand. But now Shifty refuses to even step up onto my hand, he can read my body language so well and if he does step up he just flies away as soon as he sees the cage coming.
I have to sit down and pretend I'm just chilling, then I can get him onto my hand and hold him. He usually likes being held cos he gets cuddles and scratches. Once I have him in my hands then I get him into the cage.
Otherwise once he knows I want him in the cage I have to catch him which I hate doing cos it can damage the trust in our flock.
I'm wondering how other people get their stubborn birds into their cages, do you have a routine, do use bribery or blackmail, or do you have to trick it like I do... 🙂