Keeping BIRDS

[Hiney]

Not the human variety, in the basement, but actual birds, in a cage.

Specifically Cockatiels

It's a long story but my Mother-in-Law lives with us and she has got it into her head that she wants a Cockatiel. No prizes for guessing who will be lumbered with caring for this beast, so what do we need to wary of?

Anyone had one?

 

[OzMike]

Not the human variety, in the basement, but actual birds, in a cage.

Specifically Cockatiels

It's a long story but my Mother-in-Law lives with us and she has got it into her head that she wants a Cockatiel. No prizes for guessing who will be lumbered with caring for this beast, so what do we need to wary of?

Anyone had one?

Plenty here mate, all over the place, flying free as nature intended, catch my drift.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

I've had one. The best thing to do with a cockateil is handle them a lot when they are young.

The more they are handled the tamer they are. A tame cockateil makes a great little pet as they can be very affectionate little buggers.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I could have the wrong end of the stick here, but I think [MENTION=70]Easy 10[/MENTION] knows a lot about BIRDS.

 

[ack]

I could have the wrong end of the stick here, but I think [MENTION=70]Easy 10[/MENTION] knows a lot about BIRDS.

Handle a young bird from day one, never use a net to catch or gloves. After a few weeks they will become your best friend.

 

[Springal]

Grow some BALLS and remind her whos HOUSE it IS.

 

[Superphil]

Birds belong in the trees

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

It should be noted if a Cockatiel isn't handled much they can be a bit feisty and cantankerous at times.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Birds belong in the trees

Yes they do. Easier to shoot that way.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Is it not cruel to cage birds?

Genuine question, caging any animal seems cruel, but in particular one that is meant to fly.

Depends on the bird. A Budgie can sit in front of a mirror all day happily chirping at its own reflection.

My cockatiel was very tame and spent a lot of time out of its cage. Despite that he chose to walk almost everywhere rather than fly.

They don't need to fly, that's just how they safely travel. They don't do it for fun.

 

[Superphil]

Yes they do. Easier to shoot that way.

I am a member of the Clay Pigeon Preservation Society as my scorecards will usually confirm.

 

[Superphil]

Honestly, I've been listening to (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) this afternoon, and track 8, Freebird, just came on!

 

[dougdeep]

Best not to keep birds if anyone in the house has asthma or related conditions.

 

[Easy 10]

Had my cockatiel for 6 or 7 years now, he's no trouble.

DO NOT buy one from a pet shop though, they will not be tame. As Tyrone says, get one when its young and handle it a lot. We picked one from a breeder when he was a chick and left it a few weeks before going back and picking him up. He was still on liquid food when we brought him home, like a mushy seed mix which I fed him through a syringe - thats how they gain trust of humans and are not inhibited by hands or being handled. Put your hand in front of him and he'll hop on every time.

Very easy to look after. Bit of seed, water, a slice of apple, some millet spray, clean the cage out every 7-10 days, thats all there is to it. He comes out for a fly and a poke around, goes on the scrounge for crisps and treats. Then I pick him up and put him back in his cage. Doddle.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Your YAPPY little dogs will go MENTAL!

 

[jevs]

I used to breed cockatiels. Absolutely lovely birds but can be noisy buggers and will bite if threatened....and they can hurt !!!! Get a hand reared one from a private breeder if possible and handle it every day.

lots of nice colour varieties too....apart from the normal greys, lutino and white faced are both nice.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

I've always wanted a parrot, as soon as I've managed to buy a house (whenever the hell that might be) I'm going to seriously look in to getting an African Grey! Huge commitment though as they live for around 60 years I believe, unless I live in to my late 80's it would outlive me!

 

[Hiney]

Your YAPPY little dogs will go MENTAL!

Only ONE now, and the blindness and deafness means she doesn't even go slightly angry, let alone MENTAL.

 

[The Stout Yeoman]

No idea about cockatiels but a guy a few seats along from me has had a cockatwo.....

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Only ONE now, and the blindness and deafness means she doesn't even go slightly angry, let alone MENTAL.