dankell@techsup.TANDY.COM (05/17/88)
Ok who knows about Parakeets? I have currently aquired two new Parakeets to add to the one I had before. I also have two large (1.5'w x 1'd x 3.5'h) and one small standard size cage. I am trying to teach the new birds to be friendly and not be afraid of my hand. Currently the they are in one large cage and the older bird is in the other. Some have told me that the two new birds will be better off together in the same cage. Others have told me that the two will only become friendly with each other if they are kept together. Any suggestions? Dan Kellner
bob@primerd.prime.com (05/20/88)
It helps if you start with young birds, but if you really want them to become tame you will be better off if you don't cage them together. Yes, they will get a little lonely at first, but that is the point. You want them to bond to you, not the other bird. And move *slowly*. Women are often better at taming than men because men are such oafs! Talk *quitely*. It doesn't matter what you say as long as it comes out soothingly. Don't try taming inside the cage. That's the bird's home and he's not likely to be very receptive while he's in his own territory. Take the cage into a small closed room (a bird-proofed bathroom is good) and let him out. The space should be small enough that the bird can't get away from you, so he is forced to face his initial fear and realize that you are not going to have him for dinner. (I presume his wings are clipped.) Be patient. Bob Pellegrino bob@deep-thought.prime.com
pkb@ihlpa.ATT.COM (Benson) (05/20/88)
In article <-82278655@techsup>, dankell@techsup.TANDY.COM writes: > > Ok who knows about Parakeets? > > I have currently aquired two new Parakeets to add to the one I had before. > I also have two large (1.5'w x 1'd x 3.5'h) and one small standard size > cage. I am trying to teach the new birds to be friendly and not be afraid > of my hand. Currently the they are in one large cage and the older bird is > in the other. > > Some have told me that the two new birds will be better off together in the > same cage. Others have told me that the two will only become friendly with > each other if they are kept together. > > Any suggestions? > > Dan Kellner If you want them to be very tame and come to you willingly, you have to seperate them. If they are kept together, they will form a bond for each other and have no need for your friendship. They will get used to your hand because of cleaning out the cage but not be interested in coming out to join you. I can give you an example. I have had my 'keet for almost 3 years now. I got him when he was 5 weeks old. He is very friendly and tame (will spend hours on my shoulder going where ever I go in the house) and says many words and phrases. I birdsat for my girlfriend for about 3 weeks with a baby 'keet (he was a surprise birthday present for her daughter). The baby had just come from his nest and was used to bird company. He took one look at Ziggy and wanted to be with him constantly. Ziggy took one look at the baby and left. I don't think Ziggy realizes he is a bird and he didn't want anything to do with the baby. In fact if the baby got too friendly, Ziggy would scold him and then try to find confort under my hair. The baby is now with his new family and doing just fine. So it depends on what you want the birds for. If you want to just enjoy them in the cage and not have them sharing with you, then keep them together so they don't get lonely. Otherwise seperate them and spend lots of time with them umtil they want to join you instead of being in their cage. GOOD LUCK Pam B. ihlpa!pkb