I dont think my new cockatiel has ever been handled, please help me!?

Question

i got a cockatiel off the rspca, not a baby! he gets very scared if i even walk up to his cage, i sit by the cage and talk to him, spend lots of time with him and its just like he isnt getting used to me!! and another thing, if i get very close he makes a hissing sound, didnt thing cockatiel did that although he is my first so not sure, please give me as many tips as possible, i just want him to be happy and have fun, his name is Oscar!

thanks in advance :)

ps iv had him for 2-3 weeks now

Answer 1

thats a tough one....i feel sorry for you. i have been looking to buy a cockatiel and i hope that doesnt happen to me.i love his name! i might steel the name from you......lol =D

Answer 2

although you're spending time with him and talking to him at times it takes more time to tame birds. just keep trying and don't loose hope. just do what you're doing now and remember to change the food and news paper on the bottom the cage that way he'll get used to you're hand. you could also give him treats add it in his bowl once you change the food.

Then when your cockatiel gets used to your hand going into the cage take one of his perch (that's the size of your finger) in side the cage put it against the bottom of his belly and say up gently. keep repeating this until he is used to this step and move on to the next step.

next you still need the perch but now put your index finger on top of the perch he will not notice the difference once you say up he'll notice that the perch is much more comfortable. again repeat until his used to this step and move on to the next step.

in this step you just press your finger gently on to his chest say up and let him get used to that move on.

next is getting him out of his cage each day have a treat out and get him to perch on your finger and slowly take him out further and further from his cage each day with the treat waiting for him at that point remember don't move him too far only an inch each day. remember to not give up after all you've only had him for 3 weeks taming birds take time especialy because of their personalities and maybe their past relations with other people. if they had previouse abusive owners.

for any more training tips visit lisashea.com

Answer 3

whenever i got my firs cockateil it looked as he too was never handled. It took him 3 weeks to come out of the cage and 3 more to get on my sholder.

What i did was every time he would get on top of his cage i would slowly approach him with my arms like im giving someone a hug. So he had nowhere else to go but jump on my hand. i did that couple of times. He would hiss and hiss but eventually he would clime up my shoulder without any hessitation. I would take him away from his cage to watch tv with me. And if they are in unfamiliar surrounding they usually start to trust you sooner :)

   now after i think i got the first cockateil 5 months ago he comes to me on his own. Loves to give me kisses.

    Anyway hope yhis helps. Wish you luck. DOnt give up:) its worth a while:)

Answer 4

They hiss as a warning.  It will take him some time (who knows how he has been treated in the past), but eventually he will learn to trust you.

Talk to him softly and often, and give him treats.  Play him soft music, especially when you can't be around.  When you go to get him out of the cage, he may hiss and make biting gestures, but stay calm and keep talking calmly to reassure him.  You can also start by leaving his cage door open and encourage him to come out rather than reaching in after him, at least at first.  Obviously you will want to have his cage in a safe enclosed room when you do this, to make it easier to catch him if he gets scared and bolts.

It will take time and patience but I promise he'll come around if you are committed to working with him every day.  Oscar is lucky to have you!

PS if he does go to bite you, try not to get upset or shout at him.  It will hurt about as much as a very sharp pinch.