Danielle
08-15-2008, 12:14 PM
Hi everyone, my name is Danielle, and I'm brand-new to both Cockatiels and birds in general.
I'm currently in the process of waiting for my first feathered friend, and I'm very much enjoying reading about everyone else's experiences with them.
I've never really had any experience with birds, and what little experience I have had hasn't generally been positive; I've been bitten and nipped at by Swans, Galahs, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Budgies...
I was pretty young at that time, and knowing what I now know about sudden movements and threatening behaviour with various prey animals, I have no doubt it was undoubtedly entirely my fault.
I finally gathered up the courage to try with a Cockatiel after the experience of taming a young wild ship rat, who is a huge departure from the domestic rats I've kept for the last nine years. I kind of figure that if I can handle being bitten hard by a nervous wild rat (not to mention hungry domestic rats who think my fingers are food and that my eyelashes are playthings) and not flinch, and have the patience to rehabilitate unsocialised and abused domestic ratties, I'm definitely ready to try a hand-reared Cockatiel from a reputable breeder.
I have a nice cage ready and a name picked out, it's just a case of finding a little friend who will be able to handle a novice like me. It's a difficult thing to do as there are no breeders near me, but I've found an interstate breeder who is happy to work with me to find the right fit.
I look forward to getting my new friend and joining in the fun here!
I'm currently in the process of waiting for my first feathered friend, and I'm very much enjoying reading about everyone else's experiences with them.
I've never really had any experience with birds, and what little experience I have had hasn't generally been positive; I've been bitten and nipped at by Swans, Galahs, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Budgies...
I was pretty young at that time, and knowing what I now know about sudden movements and threatening behaviour with various prey animals, I have no doubt it was undoubtedly entirely my fault.
I finally gathered up the courage to try with a Cockatiel after the experience of taming a young wild ship rat, who is a huge departure from the domestic rats I've kept for the last nine years. I kind of figure that if I can handle being bitten hard by a nervous wild rat (not to mention hungry domestic rats who think my fingers are food and that my eyelashes are playthings) and not flinch, and have the patience to rehabilitate unsocialised and abused domestic ratties, I'm definitely ready to try a hand-reared Cockatiel from a reputable breeder.
I have a nice cage ready and a name picked out, it's just a case of finding a little friend who will be able to handle a novice like me. It's a difficult thing to do as there are no breeders near me, but I've found an interstate breeder who is happy to work with me to find the right fit.
I look forward to getting my new friend and joining in the fun here!