Cockatiels being hand shy?

Question

i got two 1 1/2 y.o female tiels last night, the lady that had them never took the time to hand tame them. she would just let them out, and come and go as they wanted. (we are not letting them out of the cage just yet) we are taking our time, and letting them get use to us, and i have the cage right next to me in my living room. their wings are not clipped...so heres the question..how am i going to clip their wings, if they are hand shy? i dont want them free flying around my house, and when i do hand train them, it will just make it that much easier. and any suggestions on how to "butter" these lil ladies up will be appreciated. lol

Answer 1

Well it takes lot of time to train your bird to be hand tame. The thing that is most important is your relationship with your bird. Like if you grab the bird with your hand right away it is going to be terrified of you. You must take time for him/her to trust you.  

Answer 2

Patience is the key. 1.5 years of no human contact is a long time and is harder to "butter" up than young ones. Just let them get used to their new home and maybe slowly (everyday) put your hand in the cage so they get used to it. Offer them treats like millet and soon they might hop on your hand and eat from your hand. But all this might be easier to tame them if you have their wings clipped. You can also go to a pet store (preferably a bird store) and ask them if they can clip their wings. They charge as little as nothing to twenty dollars.

Answer 3

Take them to either a pet shop that has birds and avian grooming services (be sure to have their toenails clipped too) or perhaps your avian vet offers this service (it cost me $4 for the toe clip and $7 for the wings or $11 for each bird) .  Best to have someone else clip their wings, be the villian instead of you.  Plus cockatiels can deliver a hurtful bite and I'm sure you don't want to start out with either you hurting or the 'ladies' resenting you for clipping their wings.  You know tho', I've found that no matter how well (not short) a cockatiel's wings are clipped, they still manage to fly.  They're very strong flyers so don't be upset if you take them out after having a professional clip their wings and find out they're still able to get to wherever they want by flying there.  That's just how it is.  I've also found that an older tiel does not warm up to being hand tamed easily, especially if she has a bird friend.  You shall learn the true meaning of patience my friend... but if you are truly devoted, dedicated and consistent and still love them to pieces, they may come around... but then again, they may not. I hope you are prepared for the fact they may not meet your expectation of what you think they should be or do or act.  I hope your heart is big enough so that should they not become your ideal, you will love them anyway and appreciate their beauty and grace ... and individual personalities.  Best of luck and God Bless.

Answer 4

Try puting a treat on the tip of your finger.Once it eats it put a nother farther on your hand.than another in the middle of your hand and then on your palm.This sould work with in three days to week.