brand new here...brand new cockatiel

[kristiash]

i've had this cockatiel for almost two months now. Its all brand new to me so a lot of help would be wonderful...my first main question is that he really HATES bathing. i thought that was something they were supposed to enjoy?

[KDK241]

Welcome! I thought that too...Sophie will bathe just fine, loves taking baths but Zeke will not take a bath if his life depended on it. I spray him once a week with a spray bottle. Don't spray directly on him but spray above him so it's like rain. Both he and Sophie love that. Check out the cockatiel section...more things to learn than you ever knew possible! ;)

[PowerBBS]

Give them time. You may find they take "baths" on their own out of sight. You may find they like to be "sprayed". It's all just time. Eventually you will catch them in the act and you'll be able to develop a bathing routine that they are comfortable with.

[birdlady49]

Some like it and some don't. When I bring the spray bottle into my flight, some of my 'tiels come closer and start flapping in anticipation. Others can't get away from me fast enough. But they still get sprayed because it's an important part of their care!

[flyingfluff]

How are you trying to bathe him? Some birds hate getting bathed-period. Others, it depends on how. Some birds like to get bathed in the sink with a little bit of water to splash around in, some like to be sprayed with a spray bottle, others will come right into the shower with you.
One suggestion I have is to set him up in front of a mirror and spray him with a spray bottle. This way he'll see the other bird aka his reflection taking a bath, and maybe it'll help encourage him. If not, just keep trying. It's possible he just has to warm up to the idea.

[dodgewoman]

Welcome! I have a cockatiel that doesn't really love baths. I have to get him very very wet then he starts getting into it. I use a mister for plants making it come down like rain. Also when it's hot out Jesse will get into his bath much more. It all depends on the bird.

[cactuslil]

I just put the birds in the shower with me. I let them either set in the shower caddy or on the window ledge. I towel them off or if anyone really gets into their bath and gets soaked, they get the blow dryer. This seems to resolve any problems with bathing. Everyone seems to be happy, including me. Everything is all done at once.

[kristiash]

thanks for everyone's input ... i'm trying the spray bottle thing and its not a huge hit still, but its easier than trying to keep him in the sink!! I'm glad to hear that its not just me or my goofy bird!!

[catschair]