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Birds--General/how to tame a parakeet

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Expert: - 4/14/2006


Question
Hi.  I have had a parakeet for 5 years now(it used to belong to my niece yet she stopped caring for it and now it has becme my responsiblity).  He has never been outside of his cage nor tamed.  Is it too late to attempt to tame him at this age?  If not then how do I go about this.
Thanks

Answer
Hi, Dwight.  Thanks for posting.

I'd say at this point, yes, it might be a bit too late to try taming your keet, but you can try.  First thing is to clip or have both wing flight feathers clipped.  This will ensure he can't get away from you when you are working with him.  Then, I'd start off with letting him come out of his cage so he can get used to doing this.  He may be too cage bound to even want to come out of his cage.  If/when he gets used to coming out of his cage, then you can try interacting with him, i.e., teaching him to step up on your finger/hand.  You may have to take him away from his cage in order to work with him (take him into another room with minimum distractions and where he cannot get access to his cage).  Just set him down on the floor, couch, bed, etc., and play with him, talk with him, see what you can do with him.  

If you can get this far with your keet, come back and I'll work with you more.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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