Cockatiel doesn't like to come out of his cage

[harpo]

Our new cockatiel is 4 1/2 months old. We have had him for 2 months. He was hand raised and is tame but resists coming out of his cage. He runs away and it takes a couple of tries before I can get him to step up on my finger and bring him out. Once he comes out he is fine and we can spray him with water which he seems to like. We then take him to his play pen but he soon wants to be taken back to his cage. In the past we had English Budgies which were fearless! Is it just a matter of being patient until he gets more used to us? Thanks.

Lewis and Andrea

[cece123]

Hello, I remember my bird doing the same thing! What kind of cage do you have? I ask this because before we had a cage with a play area on top we had the ssame concern. we use to take her out of her cage and carry her to her play station. She would never come out on her own, then we bought a cage with a play station on top. we would to take her out and put her on top of the cage and before you knew it, she was doing it herself.
Shes a young bird, I think they might be a little fearful of things that first year. but after that watch out! My bird is eight years old, shes a messy handful but i love her. I just hate all the dander. Im a clean freak. Good Luck.

[dodgewoman]

I have the opposite problem age wise. Jesse used to love to come out of his cage, now the old grump(he is 14) doesn't want to!

It sounds as she may be a little fearful. Once you get her out of her cage work with her in a neutral room(a room she doesn't go in often). Have her get used to a good strong up command. Get her used to stepping up on a dowel/stick. Anything to build a bond and trust. Hopefully that will help.

[harpo]

Thanks for your replies. Today we got him out and instead of taking him to his playpen we let him stay with us. For over an hour he climbed over our arms and shoulders and ripped up a magazine in my lap and generally treated us as his playmates. We think he needs more time like that with us before he feels secure enough to be out alone on his playpen. We got a cage with a rounded top that was recommended as a cockatiel cage by the breeder where we got him. I think the play area on top of the cage is a great idea but it unfortunately won't work with our cage.

L&A

[tielfan]

You can encourage him to come out by offering a food reward, like a piece of millet spray. First make sure he knows what it is and likes it. Hold it near the cage door so he'll come there to take a bite, then gradually move the millet back so he'll have to come outside to get it.

And/or: offer him frequent bites of millet spray while he's out so he realizes that good things happen when he's out and with you. Until he loses his shyness, don't leave millet spray (or whatever other treat you're using) in the cage for him - keep it for a special being-out treat.