Soon to be tiel owner

[Rio&Molly19]

This may be a bit long, i apologize.

Hello! Today I will be going to pick up my first two tiels today. As far as I know I will be the third owner of Rio and Molly. The current owner is not sure of the ages. Shes had them for about a month as she rescued them. The first owner (not sure if they are the first) never handled them or tamed them. I was told Rio had got out of his cage and the owner grabbed him and pulled out alot of feathers. The current owner said when she received Rio and molly, Rio was terrified and bleeding from the capture previously. Current owner does not really handle them and their wings are not trimmed. She said they will allow her to change food and water bowls and to clean. She also leaves the door open if they want to come out. But they have not since they have been with her. I wanted Rio and Molly because I've always wanted a cockatiel. And also I'm a stay at home mom who can interact with them alot. I'm hoping I can gain their trust in the long run. I was also told that they have been mating but no eggs have been laid. Do I separate them? Keep them together? I really just need some tips to get by on when I bring them home. I know it will take time for them to adjust. But how can I help by letting them know I'm not going to harm them. I'm excited but nervous lol

 

[Appolosmom]

Beautiful glad you are taking them

 

[Ripshod]

Definitely keep them together. They're bonded and in a strange new place with a strange new parront.
They won't mate for a while either, until they settle in and get comfortable. As long as you leave nowhere for nesting (nesting boxes, coconut shells, boxes or anything enclosed) they shouldn't produce eggs, or maybe just one. If you do get an egg you can either replace with a fake egg or quickly boil it and replace. Mating doesn't have to be a bad thing with a bonded pair.

 

[CeciliaZ]

Welcome and thank you for taking them! Give them time to adjust to their new home - talk to them softly, don't force them to come out of their cages, offer them treats through the cage bars - they love millet. As they become more comfortable - they will learn to trust you. Don't separate them if they are a bonded pair. They may still mate but do not encourage it by giving them a nest box. You can always replace eggs with fake ones. Good luck!

 

[Tiel Feathers]

What cuties! Thank you for taking them in and giving them a loving home. You might want to partially cover their cage for the first few days so they will be more at ease. Just take everything slow and at their pace, and eventually they will learn that you won’t harm them. Congratulations, and I can’t wait to hear updates on them!

 

[sunnysmom]

Thank you for helping then. Just remember- time and patience. I'm sure they're come around soon.

 

[Sylvester]

That is so nice of you to take these little guys in.

Tiels are a joy, no matter if they are tame or not. You will have endless fun with them.

Take it slow, and just talk to them outside their cage. Give them a treat, now and then, in their food container.

 

[Pipper]

buy this book on how to care

The Cockatiel Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks): Mary Gorman: 9780764142925: Amazon.com: Books

Them being adults it is going to take weeks of work and figuring out their favorite two seed types (probably spray millet & sunflower seeds) and withholding those from them and using them as treats while they continue to eat a more bland seed mix like parakeet seed mix.

 

[Rio&Molly19]

Thanks everyone. I didnt get them last night, but hopefully will going to get them today. I was so heartbroken yesterday when I couldnt get them lol

 

[TinyFeathers]

Best of luck to getting your new birds!

I didnt get them last night, but hopefully will going to get them today. I was so heartbroken yesterday when I couldnt get them lol

I'd be pretty disappointed too!