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Post by Tiffany on May 2, 2012 18:39:52 GMT -5
I received 5 new tiels about 4 days ago now. The cage was VERY dirty when I got them home. I cleaned everything and put them back inside. Today especially, they seem to be getting used to the new environment. The two males are talking and the 3 females are moving around the cage more. None of my tiels have leg bands. Is this a bad thing? I had one tiel, still mine I guess, that my grandmother has now. I see him all the time and speak to him when I go next door to see my grandmother. He has a leg band. Can I put a leg band on the tiels I rescued? Or does that defeat a purpose that I don't know of? Also, at least two of them are breeding pairs. They spend time grooming each other and such... If they have chicks, could I band the chicks? Or because the parents aren't banded, I can't band the chicks? I am not sure how any of this works but I am interested and want to do it the right way. Thank you for your replies!!
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Post by marieandchirpy on May 2, 2012 20:44:07 GMT -5
Banding is generally used for filing and identification. I'm pretty sure a closed band cannot be put on an adult bird. You would have to put on an open band on an adult bird and then close it. Yes leg bands can be put on the chicks.
Sounds like you have a couple of rehomes to work with.
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Post by Tiffany on May 3, 2012 13:19:13 GMT -5
Awesome! Thank you for your reply. Why do you say that I have a couple of rehomes to work with? Is it because there are 2 breeding pairs? The woman that I got them from said that they would lay eggs but that none of them ever hatched. I do not know how long she had the birds or how many infertile eggs we are talking about here. When there are more than 1 mating pair in a cage, does it confuse them and cause them to not want to mate? Or do you mean each mating pair should have their own nest box?
It seems that the woman I got them from didn't know much about the birds. I am not a professional, but I do know that with the condition the cage was in, they wouldn't mate in those conditions. Also, I know that you can put shreds of paper in the cage to bring about their natural foraging instincts and for them to build nests with. What kinds of paper can I use?
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Post by marieandchirpy on May 3, 2012 21:22:51 GMT -5
Rehome is a term for an adopted animal. Basically an animal that has found a new home.
Try plain white paper. You could also try timothy hay. I made a foraging toy for Chirpy out of a shoebox lid and timothy hay.
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Post by jonbingham on May 7, 2012 18:58:07 GMT -5
Banding adult birds means using open bands, which in my opinion isn't worth the trouble because you risk unnecessary injuries. Usually banding is used by breeders to keep track of birds for breeding purposes (to avoid inbreeding). Also, most organizations that run shows require a bird be banded to compete in the show. It's just a control mechanism. I would recommend not worrying abut bands unless you plan on breeding large numbers of cockatiels or breed over a long period of time. If you do want to breed I would recommend that you yu set up the pairs in seperate cages and provide them their own nest box because they get pretty territorial while breeding. If you keep them all together though and don't provide nesting type materials or spaces and keep light exposure to ten hours or less the birds won't get serious about breeding and even though they might look interested they'll be fine together and you most likely won't see too many eggs on the bottom of the cage.
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