Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    
     Well, a little 1 1/2 year old will probably tend to squeeze too hard. 
    :^)  I think they'd probably enjoy them, especially if you can get them
    to talk or whistle tunes.  
    
>>  Then after reading further about mites, colds, eggs (I'd have a heart
>>  attack if I had eggs!), etc.  I start having second thoughts.  Somehow
>>  I don't remember all that kind of stuff with my Parakeets.
  
    I never had parakeets, but I doubt if the things you mentioned are
    specific to cockatiels only.
      
    Chris D.

    Adult supervision is required --- but that is about it. Tiel's are
    great - male or female doesn't matter. BUT - what you want is a healthy
    hand fed. As long as you treat the bird well - you shouldn't have any
    problems. >This would be true of any pet!<
    
    You might want to pick up a book on Tiels to get familiar - but I think
    they make a great first bird - keets also. If you were closer - I would
    sell you one of mine - but I don't think you want to drive to Ohio!
    
    Good luck on what ever you decide!!
    
    		Dora (owner of 4 cats and 11 birds)

    I have three children 9, 5 and 3 and we bought a Tiel in December
    and the kids have loved them. I also built a play gym for Rosey
    which the kids think is great. My daughter just had a birthday party
    at which time Rosey was transferred between the hands of 15 children
    with no problem. (Note - high level of supervision!)
    
    As I live near you may I suggest that you consider checking Family Pet 
    and Aquarium for a tiel? They are located on 101A in Nashua. That is 
    where I purchased mine and the folks there are VERY helpful to a new 
    bird owner.
    
    If you are in the Merrimack area I would be glad to show Rosey to your
    kids and let them handle her. I also have three keets, one of which is
    also hand tame. A good comparison test.
    
    chet @ DTN 264-7321 
                       

    Chet,
    
    Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that.  Tomorrow (my day off)
    me and the kids are going to stop by and see the cockateils at Pet
    Potpourri.  The sign outside of the store saids "baby hand-fed, tame". 
    Also, Chris (note 673.1) has been very helpful and has some eggs ready
    to hatch.  If I go this route, I feel more comfortable buying it from a
    person rather than a store.
    
    I'll let you know how I make out and give you a call to see when a good
    time to visit would be.
    
    Wendy

    We never had any problem with our parakeet (wings not clipped) and any
    of the foster babies in our house at the time. 
    
    The bird used to keep the babies amused for hours, but took great care
    to stay just out of reach of tiny hands.  
    
    Linda
    

    Well, we had a blast at Pet Potpourri on Friday.  They had two huge
    parrots, some tiels, some Budgies, some Parakeets, a canary, some
    finches, a Minah bird, and a small parrot.  Nothing was labeled, so I
    cannot tell you what kind of parrots.  Lisa's (my 4 1/2 year old) eyes
    almost popped out of her head when she heard the Big Parrots say
    "Hello".  Then the little Parrot got going and was whistling "Old
    MacDonald had a Farm" and saying "How ARE you?  Lisa and Scott were
    giggling and then Lisa got shy and would only wave to him, which
    cracked me up!  Scotty started walking up to every cage and saying "Ha"
    (hi in Scott-talk)
    
    The sales person finally came up and took a Tiel (grey) out for us to
    play with.  What a treat!  Lisa was a little nervous, but she did well. 
    I was thrilled, it brought back memories for me and Scotty watched on,
    getting a kick out of everything.  The Tiel's were $100.00 and cages
    were $50.00 and up.   Then we went downstairs and looked at toys and
    supplies etc.
    
    On the way home we stopped a another pet store in the Milford Oval. 
    Their cages wer $40 and up and their Tiels were priced on what kind you
    got.  I didn't know what was what, and no one was around to ask.  They
    had a beautiful pale yellow one with orange cheeks, that I admired.
    
    My next stop is the library, so I can read up on these little creatures
    a bit. And K-mart, etc to price cages.
    
    The questions I have from my little adventure are:
    
    Can you clip wings yourself with ease?  I think that is something I'd
    have to do, we have big windows on the south side of our house.  I'd
    hate for it to get hurt.
    
    What size cage should I get.  Is wider better than taller?  What about
    a stand?  They should be up high, for draft purposes, correct?
    
    What about male versus female?  Can you even tell?
    
    What are the chances of teaching a Tiel to talk?  Is it common?
    
    Now all I have to do is convince my husband that we need a pet.  He
    seems pretty agreeable to a bird, though.
    
    One more question.  What do you do when you go on vacation?  Could I
    have my mother bring the bird to her house for two-weeks?  Is that
    safe?  Would I be better off having her come to the house?
    
    Thanks all!
    
    Wendy

    
>>    Can you clip wings yourself with ease?  I think that is something I'd
>>    have to do, we have big windows on the south side of our house.  I'd
>>    hate for it to get hurt.
    
      Make sure you have the store you how to do it. Also might help if you 
    	pick up a book that shows you how. 
    
    
>>    What size cage should I get.  Is wider better than taller?  What about
>>    a stand?  They should be up high, for draft purposes, correct?
    	
    18" minimum - I like Preview or Hoi (spelling) cages. They cost a
    little more - but are worth it. Make sure it is larger that a Keet
    cage (usually the type you get at Kmart)	
    
>>    What about male versus female?  Can you even tell?
  
    	They say males are more vocal - I haven't found that to be true
    	though. It is really dependent on the bird. The only way to tell
    	on a grey is wait until it is a year old - then the tail feathers
    	and lower breast region are solid (same on a Cinnamon). Lutinos
    	are very difficult to tell. Some very experienced people can tell
    	by feeling the pelvic region (not me !---). It really doesn't
    	matter unless you are going to breed.
    
      
 >> What are the chances of teaching a Tiel to talk?  Is it common?
    
 	With time and patience very possible.
    
    
       
    
>>    One more question.  What do you do when you go on vacation?  Could I
>>    have my mother bring the bird to her house for two-weeks?  Is that
>>    safe?  Would I be better off having her come to the house?
    
    	Take him/her to Mom.
    
    
>>	$100
    
    	For a grey - that is a little heavy. For Lutino or Cinnamon that
    	is not too bad. You might as about health guarantees - 7 days
    	is normal - and better than nothing.    
    
    
    
    	Hope this helps!
    
    		Dora

    I just *have* to address the talking 'tiel question.
    
    We had a very nice cockatiel named Spruce.  We taught him to say
    Good morning, How are you? and to sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas
    (which usually came back as some sort of free-form jazz music, but
    very nice.)  Then I taught him to say Oh-Oh, the cat!  But, since
    he apparently had trouble pronouncing "th" sounds, really was
    Oh-Oh, da cat.  But we knew what he meant.
    
    Then we acquired a second tiel, Ta Bird (he's Cambodian) (don't ask).
    Ta had been in a very quiet environment with not much stimulation
    so he didn't talk at all and really didn't even sing very much.
    After he had been with us for about a month, we noticed him singing
    a lot more and making noises like he was trying to talk.  And then
    one day he did.  The first bird taught the second bird to say
    Good Morning, How are you? and Oh-Oh, da cat!  (he can't say "th"
    either).  And they're very polite...only one speaks at a time.
    
    

    That is a riot!  About how long did it take before Spruce said his
    first word(s)?  Do you still have Spruce and Ta?
    
    Wendy

    It seems to me that Spruce picked up his first words really quickly...
    like within the first month.  And he was just a baby when we got him.
    Unfortunately, he is no longer with us...gone to bird heaven.  But
    we do still have Ta Bird.  
    
    gwen
    

    	I have a grey also who we've been able to teach to say a few
    phrases.  He says, or rather whistles, I Love You, What A Good Boy,
    Poopy Boy (don't ask!) and whistles The Rollings Stones song 
    Miss You!  It took alot of repetition but Cory finally caught on.
    	And he's also quite the little jazz musician!
    
    Tom

    It took awhile, but we did it.  We are the new owners of a 10 week old
    Lutino named "Dolly".  She's great, so far.  She tolerates Scotty for a
    second or two and seems to like Lisa if no one else is available.  I 
    actually think she is "in LOVE" with my husband.  Her behavior when she
    is with him is like nothing she displays with anyone else.  She was
    even mean to me when I took her from him last night!  But anyway, to
    answer my own initial question, I think Birds and small children are
    going to go together just fine.  We've only had her a week and she
    seems to go with the flow.  And the flow at my house can be pretty
    crazy!
    
    Wendy

    
    Wendy,
    
          Congrats on getting Dolly. Is she weaned yet?
    
    
    Chet

    Chet,
    
    What do you mean...from baby food, or my husband!!  Actually, she's
    eating her seed real well.  She's tackled a couple of sunflower seeds
    successfully.  But she's not interested in any food that's wet; like
    apples or carrots.
    
    As far as Bob is concerned, that situation is starting to irk me.  Who
    feeds this bird? (me), who cleans the cage? (me), who sings "Hello
    Dolly"? (me)  Who does she prefer to be with time and time again?
    (BOB!)
    
    That's a kid for ya!
    
    Wendy

    
    Wendy,
          Could it be your singing? ;-)
    
    Chet

>>    Who
>>    feeds this bird? (me), who cleans the cage? (me), who sings "Hello
>>    Dolly"? (me)  Who does she prefer to be with time and time again?
>>    (BOB!)
    
      Well Wen, there's your answer right there.  She thinks you're the
    maid!!!   :^) :^)
    
    Chris D.

    You guys are a riot!  I needed that laugh today!!
    
    Wen
    The maid that can't sing