So confused

[Revali]

My bird is scared of me for sure. Offering seeds to him is not an option he just wont. I've only had him for three days. How do I first get my bird to not think I'm an enemy? If I let him out and he doesn't want to got back in at all wouldn't forcing him back in be traumatic. I spoke with an aggressive bird lady at a bird only pet store that said I need to just go in and get him out and that's that.. well bad idea he's defiantly MORE scared now and I feel bad about it and got bit very hard . Now he wont stop trying to jam his head through the cage.
My impression was first I only deal with him in the cage until he's not scared of my hand and then move on to letting him out. Is this correct? cruel?

 

[iamwhoiam]

You really have to just be very patient. Remember that he is in a new environment with new objects and people and he is scared. Don't try to force him to come out and step up. Let him guide you. Sit next to him, talk to him, drop a treat of some kind into the cage when you walk by. That aggressive bird lady gave you bad advice. Once again, BE PATIENT!
How is he doing with eating, btw?

 

[Revali]

You really have to just be very patient. Remember that he is in a new environment with new objects and people and he is scared. Don't try to force him to come out and step up. Let him guide you. Sit next to him, talk to him, drop a treat of some kind into the cage when you walk by. That aggressive bird lady gave you bad advice. Once again, BE PATIENT!
How is he doing with eating, btw?

Now when I sit by the cage he shuffles back and forth then shoves his head through the bars (he's trying to squeeze through)
above all I want him to be safe. I let him out and was just letting him explore he got into a cold corner of the house (too cold) and hunkered down. I managed to get him up onto a big wooden spoon and I put him back into his cage and now he's eating. Thank you very much for the help.
P.S. Are there any essential training books you recommend?

 

[iamwhoiam]

Is the bar spacing too big for him? Not good if he is trying to stick his head between the bars and gets stuck.
Use a dowel, perch or t-stick and have him step up on that as long as he is willing to do that.
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[Revali]

Is the bar spacing too big for him? Not good if he is trying to stick his head between the bars and gets stuck.
Use a dowel, perch or t-stick and have him step up on that as long as he is willing to do that.
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Yes its too big his new cage should be coming in the next 5 days. Hexagonal Cage - Exotic Nutrition
I think his 5 mins out may have made some headway between us. He's been pigging out for like 35 mins now. As for getting stuck... I know, I'd never forgive myself if he got hurt. If it continues going on ill have to get some window screening to keep him safe.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Curious as to why you ordered that cage. Not what I would consider the best choice. Sorry, JMHO. I think a flight cage would have been a much better choice. Good to get a cage that is wider than taller or at least more equal in width and height.

 

[Revali]

Curious as to why you ordered that cage. Not what I would consider the best choice. Sorry, JMHO. I think a flight cage would have been a much better choice. Good to get a cage that is wider than taller or at least more equal in width and height. [/QUOT

According to a video I watched she or he had stated that bird cages are not for flying and it only needs to be big enough for the bird to flap its wings. Also I live in an apartment and it looks like it would tuck into corners nicely. Would you recommend returning it or would you think its passable?

 

[Lady Jane]

I agree on the choice of cage.

 

[Revali]

I agree on the choice of cage.

Flight cage?

 

[Feather]

According to a video I watched she or he had stated that bird cages are not for flying and it only needs to be big enough for the bird to flap its wings. Also I live in an apartment and it looks like it would tuck into corners nicely. Would you recommend returning it or would you think its passable?

Round cages are generally a bad idea as birds feel less secure in them. They're also a whole lot harder to clean and furnish properly and they really don't fit nicely into corners. Looking at the one you posted, I'd think it was designed to sit in the middle of the room rather than beside any wall. While birds may not do a lot of flying in their cage, they do do a lot of climbing and it looks like the bars of the hexagonal cage are almost all vertical, which makes climbing difficult.

As for your original question, three days is no time at all. Birds require a ton of patience. It took two years of working with him before I could handle my cockatiel. If he's so fearful that he's trying to squeeze through the bars of his cage to get away when you're near, then you definitely have to take a step back. Get a chair in there and talk/read to him softly from across the room. Let him get used to your presence before you move a little closer each day until he's comfortable with you near his cage. Proceed from there. You're dealing with a very scared prey animal and you absolutely need to take building a relationship with him at his pace.

Be calm, be patient. He'll come around when he's ready.

 

[Lady Jane]

Flight cage would be 100 percent improvement.

How To Set Up A Bird Cage For A Cockatiel, Parakeet or Parrot | PetHelpful

 

[Revali]

I done goofed again..

 

[Revali]

Round cages are generally a bad idea as birds feel less secure in them. They're also a whole lot harder to clean and furnish properly and they really don't fit nicely into corners. Looking at the one you posted, I'd think it was designed to sit in the middle of the room rather than beside any wall. While birds may not do a lot of flying in their cage, they do do a lot of climbing and it looks like the bars of the hexagonal cage are almost all vertical, which makes climbing difficult.

As for your original question, three days is no time at all. Birds require a ton of patience. It took two years of working with him before I could handle my cockatiel. If he's so fearful that he's trying to squeeze through the bars of his cage to get away when you're near, then you definitely have to take a step back. Get a chair in there and talk/read to him softly from across the room. Let him get used to your presence before you move a little closer each day until he's comfortable with you near his cage. Proceed from there. You're dealing with a very scared prey animal and you absolutely need to take building a relationship with him at his pace.

Be calm, be patient. He'll come around when he's ready.

Thanks

 

[Feather]

I done goofed again..

You're still new to this. We all made mistakes at the beginning (and we all still do ). The important thing is that you're learning and asking questions.

 

[iamwhoiam]

How much do you want to spend on a cage? There are various flight cages with a range of prices.

 

[Monica]

Seems like the hexagonal cage would be better than the current cage he is in...


Agree though, patience. Pet store lady told you wrong (sadly, common advice ) and it's been a very short time... his world has been turned upside down, he probably doesn't have much reason to want to trust you right now...

"Self-Tamed" Cockatiels | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

 

[Revali]

How much do you want to spend on a cage? There are various flight cages with a range of prices.

250 I think, I'm going to have to look into the return policy and see from there. I do know the round cage would work best in my apartment but ultimately I'd like whats best for my bird.

 

[Lady Jane]

As far as flight cages go you can get a really nice one for that price. Amazon has them for just over $100 and up a bit. With a flight cage you usually do not have access to the food dishes from the outside. Some people don't mind and others do mind.