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I`ve had Chief for about 2 years and believe him to be around 3 in september. He was stressed as a young one by previous owners dog jumping up at the cage. I thought after a wjile we would be able to tame him. I started by trying to handle him 3-4 times a week which proved stressful for both of us and when he eventually tired would stay with me for around 5-10mins before flying off. But he always looked stressed. Then it was noticed his chest plumage was getting patchy, he was plucking his feathers. At one point i really worried as he was getting really bad. Had him at the vet and the only advice they could give was to try changing his diet.

As an experiment i only let him out once a week when cleaning his cage out and leaving him be otherwise. He has grown back his feathers , looks amazing. He is now got his full black ring aswell which i never thought was coming. Is it wrong to keep him like this. It frustrates me that he is not that friendly but i understand not all birds ar the same.

I have bought him th ebiggest cage i can have at the moment aswell so that he can exercise

Colin

Have you considered clipping his wings? sometimes clipping helps when trying to tame them, they rely on you more. Clipped birds can still practice flying without really flying so you can let them out and they hold onto things and flap away but don't actually let go. Mine still do it even though they are fully flighted.

I've had a tiel for many years now that just never wants to be near hands. He is happiest being untouched and just whistling with us through the bars of his cage. For a few years I tried to tame him and he just ended up stressed and would scream more often instead of whistling. I just came to the conclusion that is just how he is. His favourite thing is still whistling with us through the bars of his cage.

I used to have chief clipped and yes he did rely on me more to get about but the initial stand off at the cage and also when it was time to put him back in were a struggle. I am going to get them clipped again this week. Im not sure whether to try taming him again, I hated seeing his feathers in bad condition and he is looking so bright and healthy now( will post up pics soon) .