Should I buy these birds

[Sum]

Hi everyone. I have found a person looking to rehome their cockatiels. They are adorable pair of male and female. However the owner says they haven't had time to tame them so they never leave their cage. My main concerns are:

Would having a pair of untamed birds make taming them difficult? As from what I have read pair of birds tend to prefer each other so are less likely to bond with owners.
The fact they don't leave their cage cause any behavioural problems in them that would make owning them difficult? As I have read birds that are not socialised tend pluck feathers or develop other behavioural problems. The birds don appear to have plucked and so would having company prevent this behaviour.
As a male and a female pair, would they be prone to breeding? As I am not a all looking to be breeding birds.

I am grateful for any advice you may have.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Wow.

It sounds as if any change would be an improvement!!!
And... you sound concerned, open-minded, and ready to reach out.
I hope you take them.

Keep us informed, please.

 

[Lacewing]

Have they mated before at all? If they do nest and lay eggs there are options you can do to prevent hatching. Because they have no flying experience their muscles will be weak. You can train them to fly in a small room preferably with no Windows or mirrors. Have they seen an avian vet at all? What are they eating in the area of healthy foods? Do you have the time and patience to tame them both separately?

 

[Sum]

Wow.

It sounds as if any change would be an improvement!!!
And... you sound concerned, open-minded, and ready to reach out.
I hope you take them.

Keep us informed, please.

Thank you for the encouragement

 

[Sum]

Have they mated before at all? If they do nest and lay eggs there are options you can do to prevent hatching. Because they have no flying experience their muscles will be weak. You can train them to fly in a small room preferably with no Windows or mirrors. Have they seen an avian vet at all? What are they eating in the area of healthy foods? Do you have the time and patience to tame them both separately?

The owner says they haven't laid eggs. But he also said he didn't check if they had been mating.
I planned to train them separately as someone else said that would speed up the training. I don't have a room without windows but I have one with only 2 windows and they are covered with curtains.
I don't they have seen a vet from what the owner is telling me. But I plan to take them to a vet the moment they are settled and calm.

 

[LeaKP]

Please keep us posted, I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing. Tiels are so often deemed as less than valuable but they are awesome birds.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to the three of you!

 

[Scott]

I would give this strong consideration! Cockatiels can be among the most gentle of birds, they certainly have much potential. Having two will be a bit more complex if they are bonded. If you have the opportunity to handle them before deciding, you'll have a better idea how interested they are interacting with a human.

 

[Sum]

I would give this strong consideration! Cockatiels can be among the most gentle of birds, they certainly have much potential. Having two will be a bit more complex if they are bonded. If you have the opportunity to handle them before deciding, you'll have a better idea how interested they are interacting with a human.

The person lives quite far from me and I am getting a ride from a friend since I can't drive. So it would probably be the only time I get to see them is on purchase. Plus I don't know if I could leave them even if they weren't interacting with me. They look just too cute and I am worried about leaving them in that condition.

 

[Scott]

I would give this strong consideration! Cockatiels can be among the most gentle of birds, they certainly have much potential. Having two will be a bit more complex if they are bonded. If you have the opportunity to handle them before deciding, you'll have a better idea how interested they are interacting with a human.

The person lives quite far from me and I am getting a ride from a friend since I can't drive. So it would probably be the only time I get to see them is on purchase. Plus I don't know if I could leave them even if they weren't interacting with me. They look just too cute and I am worried about leaving them in that condition.

Understand! You'll have to make the best possible decision prior to purchase. I'd encourage you to read as much as possible be best informed. Cockatiels are a less risky chance than two conures, amazons, or cockatoos under identical circumstances!!

 

[itchyfeet]

Teils are wonderful and sweet and you sound like you've got their best interests at heart.
If we were to play a game of 'worst case senarios' - what if they didn't tame up? Will you still enjoy their company? If so, I think it's well worth it. If not, and they're a bit older, you may end up disappointed. Good luck!