Cockatiel issues

[Remy]

Hey! So I've had Remy for a little while,, and overall need some help and explanations for some things!

Firstly, Remy isn't food driven, so I reward her with praise and paper to chew. There are 2 things wrong with this though. Remy seems to enjoy chewing the target stick better than the reward, and when she does chew the paper she eats it.

Before I get he/her out of the cage for the first time, i've looked into it and decided to get her wings clipped just for the first time. Now, when mu uncles friend clipped his cockatoos wings, the cockatoo remembered that and hates that friend, so I don't want to do it so Remy doesn't develop a fear of me? Would having my dad do it be a good option? He lives in the same house I do.

 

[Zara]

i've looked into it and decided to get her wings clipped just for the first time

Remember, even if you ¨only do it once¨ it will deeply affect your bird.
Please have a read through these articles before making your mind up: Should I clip my birds wings?
This is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

 

[sunnysmom]

I strongly encourage you not to clip her wings. I think wing clipping is forcing a bird to be dependent on you and not building trust. Are you sure that she's eating the paper? If she really is, I wouldn't give her paper anymore. Have you tried giving her a sunflower seed or some millet spray as a training reward?

 

[Remy]

Remember, even if you ¨only do it once¨ it will deeply affect your bird.
Please have a read through these articles before making your mind up: Should I clip my birds wings?
This is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

Yes, I've done extensive research, gotten opinions ect, but my previous bird died from flying into the window, our house is covered in them. There are a few other factors that play into this decision, Though I would like to see your further opinion!

I strongly encourage you not to clip her wings. I think wing clipping is forcing a bird to be dependent on you and not building trust. Are you sure that she's eating the paper? If she really is, I wouldn't give her paper anymore. Have you tried giving her a sunflower seed or some millet spray as a training reward?

Hi! I have attempted giving Remy Millet, which she dislikes, and she struggles to open the sunflower seeds. Ill take your advise and not give her paper anymore Thankyou! Any other suggestions for a reward? <3

 

[Zara]

Sorry to hear about your other bird
A lot of members here use decals or curtains to try avoid crashes. When I babysit my friends birds I close all my curtains because they go straight into them otherwise. If your home has many windows, maybe decals could work for you?

Any other suggestions for a reward? <3

You can use anything your birds enjoys, if Remy likes almond, you can smash one and give a small piece or finely chopped walnut pieces. If Remy enjoys scritches.. maybe that could work?

 

[Remy]

Sorry to hear about your other bird
A lot of members here use decals or curtains to try avoid crashes. When I babysit my friends birds I close all my curtains because they go straight into them otherwise. If your home has many windows, maybe decals could work for you?

ou can use anything your birds enjoys, if Remy likes almond, you can smash one and give a small piece or finely chopped walnut pieces. If Remy enjoys scritches.. maybe that could work?

Thank you Zara! Though the place Im at doesn't belong to me, but I'll see what I can do, I'll also have to negotiate with the person in the house I'm with, because they were the one wanting Remy clipped. Ive never tried giving Remy almonds, nor walnuts, so I'll give that a go As for scritches, Ive only had Remy for around a month, and I haven't tried to pat Remy incase she/he becomes frightened, as much as I would love to, I'm going to wait until she/he gives me a sign that they want scritches, do you believe that would be the best option? <3

 

[Zara]

I'm going to wait until she/he gives me a sign that they want scritches, do you believe that would be the best option? <3

Yes I do

 

[sunnysmom]

Yes, I've done extensive research, gotten opinions ect, but my previous bird died from flying into the window, our house is covered in them. There are a few other factors that play into this decision, Though I would like to see your further opinion!




Hi! I have attempted giving Remy Millet, which she dislikes, and she struggles to open the sunflower seeds. Ill take your advise and not give her paper anymore Thankyou! Any other suggestions for a reward? <3

You can try an unshelled sunflower seed. My tiel Rosie doesn't like to open them either. I also will use a piece of cashew (unsalted of course) as a reward. Do you really think she's eating the paper? I hate to see her lose something she enjoys but it isn't good for her to ingest it. Maybe try some finger trap or balsa toys?

 

[Remy]

You can try an unshelled sunflower seed. My tiel Rosie doesn't like to open them either. I also will use a piece of cashew (unsalted of course) as a reward. Do you really think she's eating the paper? I hate to see her lose something she enjoys but it isn't good for her to ingest it. Maybe try some finger trap or balsa toys?

Yes I agree, she lives it, but heath comes first. She has interest in other things and likes to chew on my hair as much so I think I may just have to sacrifice my hair
Im going to give that a go too! Thankyou both in andvanced!

 

[Monica]

Sorry to hear about your past bird. Unfortunately, clipping your bird isn't going to necessarily make him any safer. It's sadly a common misconception.

onafricanwings.com

That said, there's always ways you can make the environment safer and work on training!


As far as target training goes... she doesn't *NEED* to touch the target in order to be target trained! So maybe instead of allowing her to chew on it, just reward her for reaching for it!

Definitely try sunflower seeds already hulled! Although ideally, you want the treat to be half or a quarter the size of a sunflower seed! (minus it's shell)