[Danielle]

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!

 

[Bea]

Welcome to the forums!! I hope you find the perfect tiel for you soon. They're really great first time birds.

 

[Danielle]

Thanks, Bea!
The breeder is currently watching all of her head-reared chicks carefully to see which would be best suited to me. She said most would probably be weaned in about a week, but as yet I have no clue which mutation or gender I'll be getting. In any case, his or her name will be Harlow.

 

[xxxSpikexxx]

Welcome to the form Iam sure you can handle a cockatiel just fine and of course you can always ask questions here. I was bit by my hamster before but a rat I bet that would hurt alot more.

 

[Danielle]

Well, the black rat has a very mild bite, so it's pretty easy to not flinch. My domestic boys bite much harder, even though they only bite accidentally when they're playing and get excited, or if my fingers smell and taste like food.
I definitely have had more bites from my overly-friendly pet boys than my wild-rescued little guy, who is actually more laid-back than they are. I'm sure Hamster bites are pretty bad, they have such strong cheek muscles.

In any case, I've learned not to flinch at painful bites, so hopefully it will serve me well if Harlow gets sassy with me. Thanks for the welcome!

 

[Malorey]

Welcome! Goodluck!

 

[kikee]

Hi and welcome. Like you im new here and also am a first time tiel owner. Good luck in finding your feathered friend

 

[sweetrsue]

Good Name? Sounds like you need a sexy hen!