Not Bonded; About to Give Up; Please Help!

[S&SCockatielMom]

Hello!

We got our first cockatiel (Sunshine) in May 2022. He became part of the family; playing with us, eating with us, letting us get his pin feathers, and even showering with us.

In March 2024 we decided to get another cockatiel, thinking it would be double the fun. We were told the cockatiel that we got (Sprinkles) was hand trained and a great companion.

It turns out that Sprinkles likely was never hand fed or hand trained. He still flops around from fear when we try to get him out of the cage, and now that his flight feathers have grown in, flies away from us if he does happen to step up on our hands. He will not eat from our hands and runs to the other side of the cage if we sit next to the cage.

Sunshine has now started to behave similarly. He no longer lets us get his pin feathers, won't sit with us, and won't ever leave Sprinkles' side. He's also started behaving like he's scared a lot, like Sprinkles does.

At this point we're thinking of finding a new home for Sprinkles, but I'm worried it won't help and we'll never get our lovebug Sunshine back to the way it was before we got Sprinkles.

We really just want Sunshine back and feel like we've lost him and the joy that he brought to our lives.

Is there anything we can do to get Sunshine re-bonded with us and/or to bond with Sprinkles? None of the normal stuff has worked and we're about to give up.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome... sorry it's under troubling circumstances...
Please don't give up!
I'm hoping and betting you'll get some advice here. I don't have an answer for you, BUT while you're waiting for some, the search engine here is really good...
Maybe try looking for bonding, bonded pair, separating bonded pair, etc.? Good luck. I think it's a great sign that you're here, reaching out.

 

[S&SCockatielMom]

Welcome... sorry it's under troubling circumstances...
Please don't give up!
I'm hoping and betting you'll get some advice here. I don't have an answer for you, BUT while you're waiting for some, the search engine here is really good...
Maybe try looking for bonding, bonded pair, separating bonded pair, etc.? Good luck. I think it's a great sign that you're here, reaching out.

Thank you! I will use some of those search terms!

 

[P&Eteils0101]

you should split them up, regain trust with both of them separately then re-introduce them. Do u have 2 cages you could use? if nothing else works then rehome one of them.

 

[S&SCockatielMom]

you should split them up, regain trust with both of them separately then re-introduce them. Do u have 2 cages you could use? if nothing else works then rehome one of them.

I was JUST telling my mom I was thinking about trying this! I don't currently have 2 different cages but can buy another one.

When I get the second cage, would it be okay to keep them side by side in the same room? Or do they need to be completely separated into different areas of the house? When they are separated they freak out until they find each other again so I'll probably keep them in the same room but get that second cage unless you all think separate areas of the house would be better.

Thanks so much for your response!

 

[P&Eteils0101]

I was JUST telling my mom I was thinking about trying this! I don't currently have 2 different cages but can buy another one.

When I get the second cage, would it be okay to keep them side by side in the same room? Or do they need to be completely separated into different areas of the house? When they are separated they freak out until they find each other again so I'll probably keep them in the same room but get that second cage unless you all think separate areas of the house would be better.

Thanks so much for your response!

yes, you can keep them side by side but have a cardboard divider, so they get used to not seeing each other all the time. i hope everything works out! even if the second cage is a temporary cage until you build a bond with both of them then you could possibly put them back together.