just goy my first tiel from petsmart and i need help

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Postby chibi-tori on Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:24 am

I'll throw this out for whatever it's worth. Most of my gang, barring Chibi, will not get on Emi (wife) hand. Yesterday, I told her to make a fist, and offer it with fingers hidden. It worked, even with Smokey, who has NEVER liked Emi's hand, and would normally try to bite her. My theory is fingernails! Of course, I don't have long nails, but my hands are a lot bigger too, but have ya'll ever tried the fist approach or tried without nail polish on?
Hi, my name is Sam, and I'm a 'tiel addict !
Smokey, Gizmo, Missy, Pixie, Patches, Suzie, Chirp, Lil 'bit, J.J., Bandit, Daisy, Cuddles, Cappy, & Shelly


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  • Postby bubbabird85 on Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:18 pm

    I was reading through some earlier posts about fear of hands, and thought i might toss in my two cents--

    As most of you have probably noticed, many tiels are afraid of hands--Bubba is, and I hand fed him! They are especially afraid of the hands of strangers, and for a bird that is new to you, you are included under the term stranger. It seems that Bubba is especially anxious of new men's hands-- they are generally larger and a bit more intimidating than my small hands. The best way I have seen to introduce a tiel to a new person's hand is by the finger--one or two fingers. This is less intimidating to the bird--your finger is a little easier to deal with, and a lot less scary to him. Treats also help :o)

    Good luck!

    -Jackie and Bubba
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    Other advice

    Postby rradrobyn on Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:19 pm

    Renaldo,
    I have two tiels. Both were kept in their cages for the most part the first few days. I would practice taping right above their feet, and say "Step up". Both eventually got it. They got use to my finger as a way to freedom. Now, Tiki, suddenly stopped wanting my finger after having him for 6 months. Now, he comes out of his cage when it is wide open. Loki still will get on my finger with no problem.
    As for getting them talking, Tiki only chirps. Loki, who came from Petsmart, came talking. But, he has learned new sounds and phrases, such as "What are you doing?" and whistling the Andy Griffith tune. He sometimes whistles "Charge" and for our dogs. Pick one thing, say it over and over and over and over and...Eventually, esp. if he is male, he'll pick it up.
    Good luck. They are a blessing!
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    hey

    Postby Renaldo on Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:27 am

    every thing is going ok , he whistled again so that was cool but i only got him to do it once, he is funny he is pretty snooty he will get out of his cage come and play around then when he gets tired of me and his surroundings then he will go back in his cage , he still wont come to my hands or get to close to me so if you have any adivce for me that whould be helpfull, i would really like to be bale to pick him up, and start working with him
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    Postby mytielwoody on Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:45 am

    I know, the urge to want to pick them up right away is great, but it took time with mine. I think the fact that he comes out of his cage is a really good sign-----my tiel still doesn't like to come out----he likes it, but he doesn't actually like the part where he leaves the cage! after he's out he is ok. He will come around, just give him some space and some time----believe me it's worth the wait!
    Kim
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    Postby Luna Bella on Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:54 am

    Try leaving the door open. Also when you go to "pick him up", don't grab him, they don't like the big scary thing mouth coming after them. Instead, leave your hand open so it is less threatening - doesn't look like a mouth. Let him come to you. You have to earn his trust and show him your hand isn't a big scary mouth trying to eat him! Also move slowly.

    Hope it helps!
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    so funny

    Postby Renaldo on Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:36 pm

    my bird is too funny so he finally got comfortable enough to start whistling again, so i started whistling back and he whistled at me again , i changed it and he whistled that back and i whisted again and starteds laughing cause he was doing so well, so he whistled what i whisled and added a laugh at the end
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    Postby Rosies Mommy on Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:47 pm

    OMG He laughed too? How cute!!!!!! I just got my tiel 2 weeks ago and shes a girl so she don't do that but thats great and oh so cute that he done that.. Awwww yeayyY!!!
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    no contact

    Postby Renaldo on Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:23 pm

    i still cant get hm to come to my hand , its starting to get annoying, he is a high maintainence statue
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    Postby chibi-tori on Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:45 pm

    Renaldo,

    If all else fails, try using a wooden spoon handle to get him to step on and come out of the cage, or at least get where you can get him on your shoulder. I still say it's something about women's hands that is intimidating to birdies, especially when they are new. I've never had that problem, but I'm a guy too...
    Hi, my name is Sam, and I'm a 'tiel addict !
    Smokey, Gizmo, Missy, Pixie, Patches, Suzie, Chirp, Lil 'bit, J.J., Bandit, Daisy, Cuddles, Cappy, & Shelly
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    ok

    Postby Renaldo on Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:52 pm

    im a guy too he interacts and mimics me like crazy he comes out of his cage but i dont know how to approach gettin him into my hand, evertime i try he play bites and then backs up
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    Re: ok

    Postby tnjcreationz on Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:32 pm

    that is a dominace game that especially male tiels play, the more you let him play bite and back up the more he thinks he is the boss and he wins. talk to him sternly telling him step up while approaching him with one finger and push on his lower chest, if still runs away, take other hand from the back of him and gently enough grab him so he can't run and at same time put other hand with finger up to his chest pushing telling him step up. you have to show him you are boss and not him, another thing to do is clip his wings so he has to rely on you picking him up from floor, etc.

    this is based on my experience with tiels in almost 10 years of breeding cockatiels, also breed lovies and quakers



    Renaldo wrote:im a guy too he interacts and mimics me like crazy he comes out of his cage but i dont know how to approach gettin him into my hand, evertime i try he play bites and then backs up
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    Postby Renaldo on Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:18 am

    youseem to have some experience , is there anything else i should know
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