Rehoming my Quaker

[myrebalynn]

I have decided that Mikey just does not fit into my home. I really feel like I've given it a good try. I have worked and worked to try to get him unafraid of my hands... it's just not happening. And he's too aggressive towards my cockatiel for me to feel comfortable. I think Mike needs to go somewhere to be with other Quakers.

Don't get me wrong. I like him. He can be cute and makes great squeaks and squawks. If I'm in the other room, he'll call back and forth with me. If I can wrestle him over to the couch, he'll climb onto me and kiss me and nibble my shirt or my ear. It's just the "HANDS ISSUE" and the biting and freaking out.

Anyone have thoughts? Should I put him on Craigslist and ask if someone wouldn't mind a halfway-tame birdie?

[kimtoo]

Quakers are known to be cage aggressive. Once out of the cage they are usually a different bird. My Quakers and my cockatiels are never out together, many species don't interact well. This is exactly why doing your research before purchasing a bird is sooo important.

I don't mean to be judgemental but I would not put any bird (or any other animal) on CL. Find a good rescue that will screen potential adoptees and donate your bird with cage and toys to the rescue if you are really ready to give up on him. It looks to me like you have had him less than a month? Most people that buy birds off CL are not educated about birds and will probably give up on your baby faster than you did. Give him the best possible chance to find a forever home while he is still young...

[myrebalynn]

Hi Kimtoo! Well... I did a lot of research and reading, I thought, and I picked "Quaker" as my new birdie. I got him at a bird show and was told that he was tame and sweet, that he was just upset at being at the show and that's why he acted like that. Well, his act has never changed. I talked to the breeder and of course he said "just keep handling him, he'll be fine." I do handle him every day but he sure hates it. I spoke to the owners of the local bird store, and they actually told me they quit selling Quakers, because unfortunately, as they get older, they become less tame, and a lot of people wanted to return them in short time. They said I can try to train him but he will probably remain aggressive. That's what made me make my final decision today. Do you think they are wrong?

[kimtoo]

Hi! Good for you for doing your research. I think that there are MANY wonderful quaker pets out ther and many owners who would strongly disagree with the statement that they become less tame as they get older. Hopefully some more folks who have quakers as loving pets will respond to you as well. Your baby is still pretty young but it sounds like he wasn't tame when you got him and it is going to take time.

Is it getting him out of the cage that he hates or all handling?

I don't know that you will ever be able to have him loose with your tiel but if you can handle that and have tough hands and a willing heart, give him a little more time, his best chance is right now, with you.

Anybody else got some advice to offer? Tiki?

[stepht25]

Is the issue you're having, happening when you ask Mikey to step up - or in trying to pet/scritch him? You really haven't had him very long and I honestly think giving up on him now is way too soon. I would try taking him to a room (where he can't see his cage and a room you don't normally take him in.) and putting him on a t-stand (or even the back of a kitchen chair if you don't have a t-stand). Find a favorite treat that you only give to him during "training" sessions. Get to where he's easily taking the treat from your hand. Then start using the treat to "bribe" him onto your hand. Use lots of praise and encouragement. Keep your sessions short at first - and always end on a positive note. You might want to give clicker training a try. I've heard lots of people use it successfully for teaching basic skills and then you can progress to fun little tricks etc. BirdCLICK You can sign up for an email list devoted to clicker training birds here. Even if you don't want the emails - it's worth it to sign up and be able to read all their files and detailed directions.

Another thing to consider is Mikey's age ( I think he's right around 6 months?) . He may be going through a bit of the "terrible 2's" and if you continue to work with him, it's very possible he'll come around.


We just adopted a 2 yr. old quaker who "hated hands, hated to be touched." If he's on or near his cage - it's a fairly true statement. But in another room - he's a big, sweet cuddle bug that LOVES to be scritched. Our other quaker that we've had for about 3 yrs. now ( I think, time goes so fast anymore, I have a hard time keeping track!) is also territorial in/around her cage. But she is also very easy going (for the most part) once in a different room than her cage. My daughter can flip her on her back and carry her around like a baby. But they have their days when even away from their cage they're not in the mood to be "cuddly." We just respect that, let them have a little space and try again later.

[stepht25]

Forgot I was going to comment on Mikey with your tiel. Skittles (our 3 yr. old quaker) "lives" in my daughter's bedroom along with our 2 tiels. They didn't get along for at least the 1st year we had Skittles (maybe even a little longer). I still wouldn't say they're good friends - but they can be out at the same together and all 3 even share a play area, supervised. They call to one another if we take one to a different room. I believe they've accepted each other as a flock. Now of course - there's no way to tell if Mikey and Elvis will ever get along. It's very possible you will never be able to leave Mikey and Elvis out together, even supervised. But just thought I'd share that Skittles and our tiels do now co-exist, seemingly happy, together.

[Monica]

Send him on over to me! I'd love to have him!

Seriously though, if you truly want to give up on him, then go through either a well respected bird store, avian vet, or bird club. These are normally your best options in truth.

However, please do remember that Rome was not built in a day... I've had Noel going on 6 years now, and it took several months for me to be able to handle her without her biting just because I was bothering her. She WAS NOT tame in any manner. She'd bite to draw blood. Mind you, I was 13 at the time, and hadn't had any REAL clue what I was doing other than trying to tame her down to handle her! She's not cuddly, heck, she doesn't even care for human interaction, unless it's to taxi her to her destination since she can't fly... however, she DOES love kisses! I think it was a good year or so before she stopped biting me for bothering her, and now only bites when I get her mad for doing something wrong, or when she gets startled/frightened.

If you have the patience and will to continue working with your quaker, then you should. It wont necessarily mean that he'll quit biting, but with more work, it's a likely chance... especially if you have ways to distract him from biting... i.e. don't encourage him to bite in situations that you know he'll bite... instead, try to work around the situation in a way so that he wont bite... i.e. if he bites while on his cage, see if you could pick him up on a perch instead, or get him onto a gym... then pick him up. Do step ups with him, laddering him from one hand to the other... reward him with phrase or treat when he steps up nicely, and a stern "NO biting!" and the evil eye when he bites. You can also try teaching him "be gentle". IF you work with him, your efforts WILL be repaid...

[myrebalynn]

Originally Posted by kimtoo

Is it getting him out of the cage that he hates or all handling?

He hates hands; he bites and attacks when a hand comes near. He does not draw blood; but if I leave your hand there the bites get harder and harder. He hates it when I reach into his cage with his food/water replacements so I've started shielding my hand by putting the bowl between my hand and him.

[myrebalynn]

Originally Posted by stepht25

Is the issue you're having, happening when you ask Mikey to step up - or in trying to pet/scritch him?

Another thing to consider is Mikey's age ( I think he's right around 6 months?) . He may be going through a bit of the "terrible 2's" and if you continue to work with him, it's very possible he'll come around.

He actually lets me pet him -- but only with my chin! He will sit near me and give me kisses and do dances for me -- if I keep the "scary hands" far out of the way. I got a parrot training video and it came with a clicker... so hopefully I'm on my way! Thanks again for all your advice, board buddies.

[myrebalynn]

Originally Posted by Monica

and a stern "NO biting!" and the evil eye when he bites. You can also try teaching him "be gentle". IF you work with him, your efforts WILL be repaid...

Currently, anything I say or do, such as speak sternly, yell, or clap my hands, doesn't affect him as he's misbehaving... he does what he wants to do. Then when he knows he's in trouble, he does something cute! I can't believe how SMART he is!