Post by Julie on Feb 14, 2006 15:04:40 GMT
New to cockatiels?
How can I tell if my bird is a male or female?
The only 100% accurate way is to have a DNA blood test performed. There are signs which can indicate a male or female. Females may have bars on the undersides of their tail feathers, but these can be very difficult to see. Cockatiels have 2 bony ridges at the base of their abdomen. In the female, the ridges are more flexible and further apart. An avian veterinarian or an experienced breeder may be able to feel the difference when examining the bird.
I work all day, should I get a cockatiel?
No, not unless you plan on getting a pair of birds. Cockatiels are companion birds and need either another person, or another bird to be with them throughout most of the day. Leaving a cockatiel home alone all day will cause problems. It may stop eating, become a feather plucker, a screamer, a biter or become cage bound. Cockatiels suffer from loneliness the same as a human. A single cockatiel is totally dependent upon you for companionship.
Should I get one bird or two?
There is no doubt that any cockatiel would enjoy another bird in the house. A single bird tends to bond closer with their owner. Once a second bird is brought home, if the 2 are kept in the same cage, the single bird will bond closer with the new bird than with you. If you can spend enough time with your cockatiel throughout the day, getting a 2nd bird is entirely up to you.
If I get a second cockatiel, can I put it in the same cage as my other bird?
No, not immediately. The birds may fight over territory and one bird may peck the other bird to death, or prevent it from eating and drinking water. Keep the birds in separate cages in the same room after the 30 day quarantine. In a few weeks, move the 2 cages closer together so the birds can get to know each other better. After another week or so, take the 2 birds out of the cage and play with both of them together to see how they get along. Let them play together for a few more weeks, then put them in a brand new cage so that neither one of them fights over territory.
Can I keep a parakeet in the same cage as my cockatiel?
Some people do, but it's not safe or advisable. Parakeets are much more aggressive than a cockatiel. They will aim for a cockatiel's feet and toes, pecking at or attacking them. Your cockatiel can be severely injured and may end up with missing toes or other types of injuries. Parakeets also tend to over preen their companions. Your cockatiel may end up with bald patches.
Do I really have to quarantine my new bird?
Yes, absolutely. There are fatal diseases, viruses and bacterial infections that can be transmitted through the air. All new birds, must be kept in a different room where air space isn't shared with your other bird. Sometimes birds that look very healthy may have an underlying disease or illness. The stress and change to a new environment will trigger the onset if one exists. When you bring a healthy looking bird into your home, the move will cause the illness to appear. You don't want to infect your healthy birds. You must keep the bird you already own safe.
What type of cage should I buy?
Purchase the largest cage that you can afford. The recommended minimum size cockatiel cage by most manufacturers is 20 inches by 20 inches by 30 inches in height. Other manufacturers state that cages which are 18 inches by 18 inches by 23-27 inches are safe as well. Your bird should be able to completely stretch out its unclipped wings and flap them vigorously. Cockatiels will grasp onto a perch and start flapping their wings for exercise. If the cage is too small feathers and blood feathers will break. Spacing between bars should be no wider than 5/8ths of an inch. Manufacturers claim that 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch wide bar spacing is safe. However, I personally think that smaller sized cockatiels could get their heads stuck in between bars and break their necks if bars are spaced 3/4 of an inch apart. Cage bars that are constructed horizontally instead of vertically will make it easier for your bird to climb up and down to food dishes, toys and perches that are placed in the upper level of the cage. Having little doors to access the food and water dishes is very convenient. A cage that has a door that will stay open for a landing or perching platform is also a desirable feature. Purchase a cage that has 4 corners instead of one that is round. A cockatiel feels more secure in a cage with corners. The cage should also have a grate over the bottom to keep your bird's feet out of droppings. Cockatiels will hold pieces of food with their feet. This will also prevent your bird from eating contaminated food that has fallen to the bottom of the cage. Perch diameter should be 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch. Use a variety of different materials for perches. Avoid abrasive and sandpaper perches that claim to keep nails trim. They will eventually cause pressure sores and lesions on your bird's feet.
Where should I place my bird's cage?
Place the cage up against a wall in a well lit area, but out of direct sunlight, where there is plenty of family activity. The bird's perches should be about level with your chest. Keep it away from any inside doorways or halls. People coming and going unexpectedly can startle your cockatiel. Keep it away from drafty windows and outside doors. Hold a lit candle in the area to test for drafts. If the flame flickers, there's a draft.
Should I have the cage all set up before I bring my bird home?
Yes, it's a good idea to have all of the perches, feeding dishes and toys already set up. This way when your bird enters the cage it can immediately start becoming familiar with its new surroundings without being disturbed.
I'm afraid to use newspaper for lining the bottom of the cage. Is the ink poisonous?
Most inks are toxic but most newspapers now use a non toxic soy ink. Call your newspaper and ask them what type of ink they use to be safe. Most newspapers sell their end rolls of paper. This is paper left on a roll that isn't used when there will not be enough paper left to complete another run of the press. It has no ink or ink stains on it. It's inexpensive and it's perfect for lining cages for birds that chew paper. Call your local newspaper and ask about it. The cage that you purchase should have a grill over the bottom so your bird can not reach the newspaper to chew on. If this is a concern of yours, you can use white paper towels instead, or you can purchase special cage lining papers at the pet shop or through a good catalog.
What should I do when I bring my bird home?
Place your new cockatiel in its cage and try to keep the noise level in your home low. Avoid shouting and loud noise from TV or music. Give your bird a few days to a week to adjust to you and a new environment before trying to take it out of the cage and actively taming it or teaching the step up command. Go about your normal routine, and let your bird observe the family activities. Do NOT put your hand inside of the cage or grab your new bird. This will frighten him/her and could start biting problems. (Most cockatiels do not like to be held or restrained with a closed fist.) You want your new bird to come to you willingly, not by force. Go over to your bird and talk to it for about 10 minutes every hour or so in a soft, quiet, reassuring voice. Cockatiels respond to our voice tones. This will help start the bonding process between you and your cockatiel. Don't hover over your new bird every second of the day for the first few days or handle it during the first week. Keep strangers and visitors away from your bird until it adjust to you and its new family. If your bird is a hand tamed, handfed bird it may want to come out of the cage within a few hours. If this is the case, then take your new bird out by using the Step Up Command. DON'T EVER put your hand inside of the cage and grab your bird. Keep the sessions short, 10-15 minutes.
How do I tame my bird and teach the Step Up Command?
DON'T EVER put your hand inside of the cage and grab your bird to take it out of the cage for taming or for any other reason. Cockatiels can become very territorial about their cages, toys, food dishes etc. and will become biters if they feel you are threatening their home or their possessions. Think how you would feel if somebody barged into your home, picked you up bodily, tied you to a chair and forced you to sit in it. You want your bird to come to you willingly and not by force. Keep taming sessions short, 10-15 minutes and have frequent sessions throughout the day. Taking the bird into a different room where it can not see the cage as well as getting the wings clipped will help by making your bird feel more dependant on you. Ask for a moderate clipping, just the tips of the first 4 flight feathers so your bird will not drop to the ground like a rock, get hurt or break tail feathers and blood feathers when it does try to fly. An avian vet will clip them for you and can teach you how to safely and properly clip the wings yourself at home. Specific directions for taming your bird and teaching it both the Step Up Command for taking it out of the cage, as well as the Go Home command, so it goes back inside of the cage. There is no average time for taming a bird because each one is an individual. The more time you spend with your bird the sooner it will trust you and become a tamed bird.
My bird is facing the wall and won't turn around. Doesn't my bird like me?
Your cockatiel is frightened. It has just been taken away from the only flock it has ever known. All cockatiels will face the wall when they are frightened. This does not mean that your bird doesn't like you. It's normal behavior for a bird during the first few days in its new home.
Thank you to Sal!
How can I tell if my bird is a male or female?
The only 100% accurate way is to have a DNA blood test performed. There are signs which can indicate a male or female. Females may have bars on the undersides of their tail feathers, but these can be very difficult to see. Cockatiels have 2 bony ridges at the base of their abdomen. In the female, the ridges are more flexible and further apart. An avian veterinarian or an experienced breeder may be able to feel the difference when examining the bird.
I work all day, should I get a cockatiel?
No, not unless you plan on getting a pair of birds. Cockatiels are companion birds and need either another person, or another bird to be with them throughout most of the day. Leaving a cockatiel home alone all day will cause problems. It may stop eating, become a feather plucker, a screamer, a biter or become cage bound. Cockatiels suffer from loneliness the same as a human. A single cockatiel is totally dependent upon you for companionship.
Should I get one bird or two?
There is no doubt that any cockatiel would enjoy another bird in the house. A single bird tends to bond closer with their owner. Once a second bird is brought home, if the 2 are kept in the same cage, the single bird will bond closer with the new bird than with you. If you can spend enough time with your cockatiel throughout the day, getting a 2nd bird is entirely up to you.
If I get a second cockatiel, can I put it in the same cage as my other bird?
No, not immediately. The birds may fight over territory and one bird may peck the other bird to death, or prevent it from eating and drinking water. Keep the birds in separate cages in the same room after the 30 day quarantine. In a few weeks, move the 2 cages closer together so the birds can get to know each other better. After another week or so, take the 2 birds out of the cage and play with both of them together to see how they get along. Let them play together for a few more weeks, then put them in a brand new cage so that neither one of them fights over territory.
Can I keep a parakeet in the same cage as my cockatiel?
Some people do, but it's not safe or advisable. Parakeets are much more aggressive than a cockatiel. They will aim for a cockatiel's feet and toes, pecking at or attacking them. Your cockatiel can be severely injured and may end up with missing toes or other types of injuries. Parakeets also tend to over preen their companions. Your cockatiel may end up with bald patches.
Do I really have to quarantine my new bird?
Yes, absolutely. There are fatal diseases, viruses and bacterial infections that can be transmitted through the air. All new birds, must be kept in a different room where air space isn't shared with your other bird. Sometimes birds that look very healthy may have an underlying disease or illness. The stress and change to a new environment will trigger the onset if one exists. When you bring a healthy looking bird into your home, the move will cause the illness to appear. You don't want to infect your healthy birds. You must keep the bird you already own safe.
What type of cage should I buy?
Purchase the largest cage that you can afford. The recommended minimum size cockatiel cage by most manufacturers is 20 inches by 20 inches by 30 inches in height. Other manufacturers state that cages which are 18 inches by 18 inches by 23-27 inches are safe as well. Your bird should be able to completely stretch out its unclipped wings and flap them vigorously. Cockatiels will grasp onto a perch and start flapping their wings for exercise. If the cage is too small feathers and blood feathers will break. Spacing between bars should be no wider than 5/8ths of an inch. Manufacturers claim that 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch wide bar spacing is safe. However, I personally think that smaller sized cockatiels could get their heads stuck in between bars and break their necks if bars are spaced 3/4 of an inch apart. Cage bars that are constructed horizontally instead of vertically will make it easier for your bird to climb up and down to food dishes, toys and perches that are placed in the upper level of the cage. Having little doors to access the food and water dishes is very convenient. A cage that has a door that will stay open for a landing or perching platform is also a desirable feature. Purchase a cage that has 4 corners instead of one that is round. A cockatiel feels more secure in a cage with corners. The cage should also have a grate over the bottom to keep your bird's feet out of droppings. Cockatiels will hold pieces of food with their feet. This will also prevent your bird from eating contaminated food that has fallen to the bottom of the cage. Perch diameter should be 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch. Use a variety of different materials for perches. Avoid abrasive and sandpaper perches that claim to keep nails trim. They will eventually cause pressure sores and lesions on your bird's feet.
Where should I place my bird's cage?
Place the cage up against a wall in a well lit area, but out of direct sunlight, where there is plenty of family activity. The bird's perches should be about level with your chest. Keep it away from any inside doorways or halls. People coming and going unexpectedly can startle your cockatiel. Keep it away from drafty windows and outside doors. Hold a lit candle in the area to test for drafts. If the flame flickers, there's a draft.
Should I have the cage all set up before I bring my bird home?
Yes, it's a good idea to have all of the perches, feeding dishes and toys already set up. This way when your bird enters the cage it can immediately start becoming familiar with its new surroundings without being disturbed.
I'm afraid to use newspaper for lining the bottom of the cage. Is the ink poisonous?
Most inks are toxic but most newspapers now use a non toxic soy ink. Call your newspaper and ask them what type of ink they use to be safe. Most newspapers sell their end rolls of paper. This is paper left on a roll that isn't used when there will not be enough paper left to complete another run of the press. It has no ink or ink stains on it. It's inexpensive and it's perfect for lining cages for birds that chew paper. Call your local newspaper and ask about it. The cage that you purchase should have a grill over the bottom so your bird can not reach the newspaper to chew on. If this is a concern of yours, you can use white paper towels instead, or you can purchase special cage lining papers at the pet shop or through a good catalog.
What should I do when I bring my bird home?
Place your new cockatiel in its cage and try to keep the noise level in your home low. Avoid shouting and loud noise from TV or music. Give your bird a few days to a week to adjust to you and a new environment before trying to take it out of the cage and actively taming it or teaching the step up command. Go about your normal routine, and let your bird observe the family activities. Do NOT put your hand inside of the cage or grab your new bird. This will frighten him/her and could start biting problems. (Most cockatiels do not like to be held or restrained with a closed fist.) You want your new bird to come to you willingly, not by force. Go over to your bird and talk to it for about 10 minutes every hour or so in a soft, quiet, reassuring voice. Cockatiels respond to our voice tones. This will help start the bonding process between you and your cockatiel. Don't hover over your new bird every second of the day for the first few days or handle it during the first week. Keep strangers and visitors away from your bird until it adjust to you and its new family. If your bird is a hand tamed, handfed bird it may want to come out of the cage within a few hours. If this is the case, then take your new bird out by using the Step Up Command. DON'T EVER put your hand inside of the cage and grab your bird. Keep the sessions short, 10-15 minutes.
How do I tame my bird and teach the Step Up Command?
DON'T EVER put your hand inside of the cage and grab your bird to take it out of the cage for taming or for any other reason. Cockatiels can become very territorial about their cages, toys, food dishes etc. and will become biters if they feel you are threatening their home or their possessions. Think how you would feel if somebody barged into your home, picked you up bodily, tied you to a chair and forced you to sit in it. You want your bird to come to you willingly and not by force. Keep taming sessions short, 10-15 minutes and have frequent sessions throughout the day. Taking the bird into a different room where it can not see the cage as well as getting the wings clipped will help by making your bird feel more dependant on you. Ask for a moderate clipping, just the tips of the first 4 flight feathers so your bird will not drop to the ground like a rock, get hurt or break tail feathers and blood feathers when it does try to fly. An avian vet will clip them for you and can teach you how to safely and properly clip the wings yourself at home. Specific directions for taming your bird and teaching it both the Step Up Command for taking it out of the cage, as well as the Go Home command, so it goes back inside of the cage. There is no average time for taming a bird because each one is an individual. The more time you spend with your bird the sooner it will trust you and become a tamed bird.
My bird is facing the wall and won't turn around. Doesn't my bird like me?
Your cockatiel is frightened. It has just been taken away from the only flock it has ever known. All cockatiels will face the wall when they are frightened. This does not mean that your bird doesn't like you. It's normal behavior for a bird during the first few days in its new home.
Thank you to Sal!
