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Anonymous
Hello /an/. I just got a cockatiel a few days ago and I am wondering some things since I have never had a bird before.

He seems to be shaking a little, I think it's just when I go near him but is he just scared or is it something to be worried about?

Also, he won't go down to the lower perch in his cage, which is where his food and water dishes are, he just sits on the top all the time unless I go to move something then he just climbs around. I'm afraid that if he doesn't go to the lower perch he won't be getting proper nutrition since the food dishes are in a fixed spot.

One more thing, how long should I wait until I can let him out and try to train him to step up? I have let him out twice and he just tries to get away the whole time.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!
>> Anonymous
1.get close to cage
2. put hand in cage
3. repeat until its not scared
4. get spray millet
5. put near bird and wait till it eats it
>> Anonymous
I actually wouldn't recommend sticking your hand in the cage and reaching towards the bird at this point. It may just be my own experience but they seem to acclimate faster when you just talk to them and let them set their own pace and come to you. Sticking my hand in the cage of a scared (though admittedly larger) bird has resulted in my getting my fingers fucked up a couple times.

Experiment with treats, too. Finding something it particularly loves can work wonders.

Try not to tower over the bird, either. They feel more secure if you're at eye level.
>> Anonymous
>>301631
>>301643
Combine these two post and you're be golden. Remember, it takes time.
>> anonymous
I would try using rice crispies as bribes. My cockatiel loves it.
>> Anonymous
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Hello again, /an/. A happy Labor Day to you all (unless you don't live in the US, I suppose). Anyway, I've gotten just about all of my fiddler rcab-related info straight, save for a few details. First, how should I haet the tank? I guess my options are eithera n under tank heater pad, or some sort of reptile heat lamp. So, which will it be? Also, do I need a heater for the water too, or will it stay warm with the rest of the tank?
>> Anonymous
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Don't get a ferret, they give you rabies and ah twomohr.
>> Anonymous
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>> Anonymous
what is .hta?
>> Anonymous
>>302401
Everyone's infected!
>> Anonymous
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Kiteh in the box. Awwww, So cute. *__*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9B9LMOwVuE&feature=rleated
>> Anonymous
In my experience they are always angry or scared. They are also extremely intelligent. He'll figure it out. I've had 4 cockatiel's in my lifespan. Two die of cancer. One dies of an egg she refused to let go of. Another of old age, it was 23 old enough to buy me booze.
>> Anonymous
>>302418
Also if they aren't angry or scared they are probably dieing. :[
>> Anonymous
Cockatiels are inquisitive by nature. Just sit around in the same room as the bird, he'll get curious after a while (or stop being so timid anyway). A couple of days after that, get closer. Offer one of those millet sprays (the kind that's shown in the pic, hanging?) from your hand.

Boom, tame-ish bird. Handfeeding always does wonders.
>> Anonymous
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Are you sure that's a male? I guess it could just be crappy picture artifacting but that looks like spots/stripes on the tailfeathers. Females are typically slightly more timid than the males, but either way just be patient and friendly to the bird and don't make any sudden movements, and eventually it'll warm up to you. I have two cockatiels, pictured: the one in the background is so aggressively friendly that he'll actually fly to my shoulder and nibble on my ear until I pet him.

Also, if you haven't already, you should switch your bird to a pellet diet. Seeds don't give cockatiels anywhere near their correct amount of nutrition. The absolute best pellet diet is Harrison's, but it's hard to convince tiels that it's food, and you may have better luck with Roudybush or even Lafeber's Nutriberries. All 3 of those options can give your bird much better nutrition than just a straight seed diet. A healthy bird is a happy bird, and a happy bird is way more likely to be a friendly bird.
>> Anonymous
>>302415
Hey guys Imma save this as 4chan.hta and shit bricks lol does that sound like a good idea?

I'm new to the internet you see...one question...shouldn't I shit bri/x/? Or shat bri/x/? Or bri/x/s will be shat? I don't know if I trust somebody that doesn't know the memes ya know?
>> Anonymous
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my dog has started to act strange. when ever he gets up he starts whining loudly. we checked him for physical injuries but so far haven't found any. he' salso acting erratic

do you have any idea whats wrong with him?
>> Anonymous
at one point i had about 125 of these little guys.

in a large aviary, i would go in the cage for an hour a day and some of them would fly to me, perch on me and some avoided me like the plague.

from my experience my cocatails loved sweet white corn on the cob freash from the grocery store.

give it at least a few months of just getting him acclimated, if he is a older bird they are far more stubborn and will probably not become tame, ideally you would want to start with one at about 5 months when they are really ugly.
>> Anonymous
I didn't think my thread would still be around lol.

>>302434
I really am not sure if it's a boy or girl but we've named him Percy so I guess that could go either way. And thanks for the suggestion on pellets.

Today I started to put my hand close to him in the cage and then give him some millet. He stays there if I don't get too close but if I try to touch him he still runs away. I think he's getting better.