Cockatiels

[roamingwyoming]

I come to you all asking for any advice, help, suggestions, etc., anything you might have on taking care of Cockatiels.

A friend from my mom's work is moving and couldn't keep the birds any longer, so we decided to adopt them. The owner thinks they're both females, and is supplying us with the cage, some food and toys, and other bird stuff.

However, I've never before owned birds and don't exactly know what to do. I checked out several sites, but some of them seemed a bit vague in certain areas.

Food is my main concern, as several sites told me that Cockatiels eat fruits, vegetables, pasta, and even things such as cheese and meat. Any fruits/veggies that they absolutely shouldn't eat? Meat and cheese seem like they would have too high a salt content for birds, but does salt really affect them all that much? I'm assuming cooked pasta, but my mom thinks otherwise, so some clarification on that would be nice.

Also, how to keep the birds clean? I assume they preen themselves and whatnot, but should I actually give them a bath or something every so often? Or even just give them a dish of water at times, like a bird bath?

As I said, anything you guys know would be extremely helpful, but as of the moment, those are some of my main concerns. Thanks for anything you may have!

[Brook]

Just a warning, these suckers make A LOT of noise. You're gonna wonder if they ever sleep, trust me.

[CosmicDebris]

@roamingwyoming:

Food is my main concern, as several sites told me that Cockatiels eat fruits, vegetables, pasta, and even things such as cheese and meat. Any fruits/veggies that they absolutely shouldn't eat? Meat and cheese seem like they would have too high a salt content for birds, but does salt really affect them all that much? I'm assuming cooked pasta, but my mom thinks otherwise, so some clarification on that would be nice.

Well, cockatiels also eat bird seed and pellets. It's good to give them some fruits and veggies for extra nutrition, but you don't need to make that their entire diet, you can go to a pet store and buy seed that is formulated for cockatiels and keep dishes of it for them.

Also, how to keep the birds clean? I assume they preen themselves and whatnot, but should I actually give them a bath or something every so often? Or even just give them a dish of water at times, like a bird bath?

I don't think you need to bathe a bird, but they do like to give themselvese baths in water. I don't know if the previous owners did anything in particular, but some people will take their birds in the shower with them. Are they tame? You should make sure their flight feathers are clipped. You should have someone who knows what they're doing show you how to do it though.
You do certainly need to clean their cages when they get dirty.

Birds are a big responsibility. Maybe you should find a book on cockatiels at the pet store?

[Kitanokokoro]

@roamingwyoming:

Food is my main concern, as several sites told me that Cockatiels eat fruits, vegetables, pasta, and even things such as cheese and meat. Any fruits/veggies that they absolutely shouldn't eat?

No avocados, chocolate, or anything high in salt, as birds cannot excrete salt. Unprocessed meats would be fine (so no lunch meat) - just make sure it is torn up into itty bitty bits. I'd try both cooked and uncooked pasta to see what/if they like.

Also, make sure to offer them pellets (available at pet stores) and some seed. If they aren't accustomed to eating fresh food they may refuse to eat and could starve themselves.

Also, how to keep the birds clean? I assume they preen themselves and whatnot, but should I actually give them a bath or something every so often? Or even just give them a dish of water at times, like a bird bath?

You can leave a dish of water in their cage, but it'll get dirty quickly (birds are insanely messy critters) so change it daily. Another option (if they are hand tamed) is to let them play with water set at a trickle from a faucet or, like Cosmic mentioned, some folks take them into the shower. You can also get a spray bottle and simply mist them periodically.

Since they are so popular you should be able to find a few books at your local pet store that can give you more indepth info. Cockatiels can be fun and entertaining (and LOUD!) little guys. Have fun with them!

[Gorlom]

@Kitanokokoro:

No avocados, chocolate, or anything high in salt, as birds cannot excrete salt.

really? chocolate contains salt in your country? i knew chocolate from my country was considered sweet but i didnt know they put in salt in other countries chocolate.

[Kitanokokoro]

@Gorlom:

really? chocolate contains salt in your country? i knew chocolate from my country was considered sweet but i didnt know they put in salt in other countries chocolate.

Ah, my apologies. That sentence was misleading - let me try that again!

"Do not feed avocados or chocolate. Also, don't feed anything high in salt, as birds cannot excrete salt."

Sigh…that's what I get for posting at 2AM...

[Gorlom]

hehe probably is just me that read it that way… =P

btw: avocados are the evul... (think its about the only thing i'm allergic too..)

[King Kobra]

@Gorlom:

btw: avocados are the evul… (think its about the only thing i'm allergic too..)

BLASPHEMY! They are the key for a tasy round of Tacos! >_<

Anyways, it would be nice if you had a place in your house (closed, yet not "inside" your house.) where they could fly freely without the perils of the outside world. Hell, that made my dad's owl happy, so I don't see how it couldn't work with freakin parrots/cockatiels/whatever.

[jadiesama]

@roamingwyoming:

Also, how to keep the birds clean? I assume they preen themselves and whatnot, but should I actually give them a bath or something every so often? Or even just give them a dish of water at times, like a bird bath?

a bird bath works fairly well. When i was working at a pet store last year we would mist them with a spray bottle full of water. they seemed to like it.

Make sure you get something so they can have calcium. Usually pet stores sell these things called cuttle (cuddle?) bones. Can't really remember what we fed them, except i know it had sunflower seeds in it.

Also, make sure you get their wings clipped regularly. We almost had one escape, if it hadn't flown into the window.