Our local pet store has a beautiful white cockatiel for 49.95. It is only 12 weeks old but was not hand fed. Will this be a problem when it comes to training it? If so I would like to find another one, but don't know where to look.
I used to breed and handfeed peachface lovebirds and cockatiels - you could try seeing if it allows itself to be handled before you buy it. I'm suspecting it won't. Hand fed babies get very tame , as they're handled as soon as their eyes open and "imprint" on people. A parent-raised cockatiel won't ever be as tame as a hand-raised one. Check the pet ads or craigslist online. Hopefully you can find a private breeder near you that's hand raising them.
Cocktails have personalities just like people. Each is different and a lot of that personality develops when the bird (or person) is young. Before you buy any bird or any pet, you need to interact with it and make sure that you're a good match. Does it like you? Does it seem to enjoy being around you? (Ours is particularly attached to my teenage son. I'm not sure why as he rarely interacts with it. But the bird's never explained it to me.) Or does it bite and seem to want to get away? If it does, this attitude or personality is not likely to change. I'd suggest spending some time with the bird , go back to the store several times and interact with the bird and see how the two of you get along. If you get along well, then everything else will be much easier. If not, neither of you is likely to be happy. And remember, these birds live for about 20 years or so. That's a long time to be unhappy.
If it is not hand raised it will never be as tame as a hand raised one. It will never be as close a companion to you as a hand raised one.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I would suggest you try to find local breeders, or try a different pet store.
Best of luck.
