best food for a cockatiel?

Question

first bird and need much information

Answer 1

the majority of the food should be fresh fruits and veggie... washed very well to get rid of pestisides. no avacado or chocolate!!!!

they can eat anything you can eat,, and this is good for them because they can get a lot of nutrients from a wide variety of foods.

if the bird doesn't like the food at first you eat it and it'll peak his interest

when you see your bird is molting (a lot of down feathers laying around) makes sure to give them egg filled foods (and the eggs must be cooked really well to eliminate any diseases).

pellets (ZuPreem are the best and most readily accepted) and seed should be offered on the side, they love millet, but only about half of a stalk per day (it's like birdie crack)

Answer 2

I am not a vet, and I see here that many people are telling you NOT to feed him seeds. Maybe that is good advice.

However, I had a cockatiel named Chico who lived healthy, happy, whistling and talking up a storm for 19 years. All he ate were seeds (bagged cockatiel food, bought at the pet store) and the occasional cracker, fruit or veggie snack.

Chico was the bomb, and was older than me when he died. Therefore I really am not sure if seeds can necessarily be all bad for your bird.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Cockatiels being Australian birds, more of their diet consists of seeds than other parrots.

I would say 5 to 10% of the diet should be a high quality seed mix, no artificial colours. 80% should be a high quality pellet mix, again, no artificial colours. I disagree when someone suggests KayTee because they use artificial colours, high seed contents, and are generally not very good. I highly recommend Harrison's, Roudybush, Zupreem, or TOPs. The rest should be a healthy balance of vegetables, fruits, pastas, and grains. Leafy greens are especially high in calcium and very healthy, but be aware when you feed kale and spinach because their calcium levels are so high, feeding too much could bind calcium and be counterproductive.

Answer 4

Cockatiels can easily get fatty liver disease if they are fed a high fat diet such as seeds.
Their diet should consist of aprox 80% high quality pellets 20% seeds. They should have fresh fruit and veggies available daily. Most human foods are acceptable, no caffiene, chocolate, or avacado. There are other foods they cannot have, please check the web for lists of safe foods for them to eat.
They should NOT have grit. Birds that shell their seeds have no need for it and it can cause crop impactation and lead to death.

You can see cockatiel care tips at http://www.cockatiel.org/tips/index.html
This site has lots of great information, please visit it!

Answer 5

I buy budgie seed and sunflower seed thats all the cockatiel seeds are.

and I also give them canary seed and tropical parrot mix

Your bird is dependant upon you for everything. Therefore, it is very important that you provide all the necessary things that your pet needs for health, vitality and quality of life.

Regularly wash out your birds environment.
Provide clean drinking water every day.

Your bird needs more than just seeds for food. So whilst it is paramount to provide a quality mix of bird food every day, it is essential also each day to vary the diet with a different supplement.
Try these suggestions:-

Salad Cress - Peas - Apple - Celery - Courgette - Sweetcorn - Watercress - Boiled Rice - Parsley Sprig - Grapes - Cucumber - Dandelion Leaves - Broccoli - Board Beans - Carrots - Finger of bread soaked in water - Mashed Boiled Egg (shell also) - Tomatoes - Lettuce - Cooked Pasta - Radishes (leaves also) -

Millet Spray is an especially loved treat for birds, but it is important not to give this too often as they will refuse to eat their regular seed in favour of it!

It is best not to give Cabbage as this can cause digestive problems.

Other important requirements for your birds health are Cuttlefish Bone, Grit, and Iodine Block. These are necessary for your pets bones and digestive system.

Your bird will occasionally enjoy a dish of tepid water to splash in.

Keep your pet away from draughts and direct sunlight. House plants, chemical cleaners, polish, & hair sprays, etc are highly toxic and dangerous to your bird.

A bird in a cage on its own will need your companionship for the large part of the day, unless you provide many distractions such as toys, mirrors, swings , lots perches and possibly a background sound like a radio. Birds are naturally inquisitive and playful animals and will become listless, distressed, destructive and possibly aggressive if bored and frustrated with their existence.

Your pets wings may have been clipped so flight will be restricted though not prevented and so doors, windows and other potential hazards should be taken into account before letting your bird out of its cage. Allow your pet out of its cage regularly as this exercise will keep them interested in their environment and alert. (Have your birds wings clipped approximately every three months).

To gain a subdued bird let it accompany you in your daily routine. Perching on your shoulder or head your pet will enjoy the variety of the surroundings as you move about freely. You will be able with patience and determination train your bird to talk and perform tricks.

To train your pet to talk you will need to provide close and regular contact, repeating the same phrase consistently. Your bird will be unlikely to talk if it has the companionship of another bird, or if it has too many toys, especially a mirror! However, as mentioned before these accessories are essential to a bird that will be left on its own over long periods of time.

Birds can be taught to mimic tricks you teach by the action of a finger. Reward positive behavior with a tasty treat..

With a healthy lifestyle in which you take good care of your pet, play with it and make its life interesting, your bird will likely live a long and happy life.

Answer 6

Give your dog a bath rather then paying someone else to get it done.

Answer 7

Create nut products in addition to cheese for you to greens

Answer 8

Wander everyday 40 min each day

Answer 9

Slide a smaller trampoline under your couch in addition to pull it out for Property of Cards marathons.

Answer 10

A pelleted diet such as Kaytee brand, a small amount of seeds and safe, washed fruits and veggies.