[Emmraa]

Hi everyone, lovely to be here and glad I have found this group.
I have just taken in a 10 month old male cockatiel from a friend who was struggling to keep him as she realised she is alleric to him after having him for 4 months.

I have brought him home this afternoon with his cage, toys, food etc that he had at my friends house.

I have never had a bird of any sort and there is so much conflicting advice online!
Please can you advise me with how much and how often to feed him?
Should he have a range of toys at 10 months old?
Is he likely to get much bigger?

Anything else I need to know?!

Thanks so much in advance for any help

 

[thatliltiel]

You should give him fresh vegetables every day( a mix of multiple, around 2 tablespoons), fruit around once a week( a few pieces or so, like half a strawberry), and either a good brand of pellets or seeds or both (around 2 tablespoons) every day. If your bird only eats seeds slowly mix the other things with them.
Also, for the quantity just see how much your bird will eat the 2 tablespoons might be too much or little, you know your bird best
Good Luck!

 

[thatliltiel]

Oh I forgot to add,
Yes he should have a range of toys, including foraging toys, natural toys and toys he can shred.
Cockatiels usually grow up to 30cm - 33cm as the maximum

 

[Emmraa]

Thanks so much, that's really helpful advice 😊
My friend told me she was filling up his food dish with a seed mix every 4 days and I should continue to do that, that he was too young for toys and that he'd never had any fruit or veg.....I'm glad I asked here as I wouldn't have known any different!

 

[VIVAAN]

You should always give them a balanced diet.
*Seeds and Pellets

*Veggies: Broccoli, Carrot, Green peas, Mint leaves, Chillies, Beans etc.

*Fruits: Pomogranate, Various Assorted Berries, Guava etc.

I have attached a chart for your reference.👇

 

[Emmraa]

Oh wow, thank you so much!

This morning when I got up, my tiel started really flapping about and pacing around the base of his cage for good 5 - 10 mins. Is this normal behavior? Was he scared? Did he just want to be let out?

Thanks so much for all and any help 🙂

 

[thatliltiel]

Oh wow, thank you so much!

This morning when I got up, my tiel started really flapping about and pacing around the base of his cage for good 5 - 10 mins. Is this normal behavior? Was he scared? Did he just want to be let out?

Thanks so much for all and any help 🙂

He sees you as a safe place, and since he’s still adjusting to his new home he’s going to want to be on or near you at all times. Unless if he isn’t tame he might want something else, in that case I’m unsure sorry. However, if he is tame and just wants to be out try to take him out when he stops pacing, but maybe for the fist few days just let him feel comfortable.

 

[VIVAAN]

Oh wow, thank you so much!

This morning when I got up, my tiel started really flapping about and pacing around the base of his cage for good 5 - 10 mins. Is this normal behavior? Was he scared? Did he just want to be let out?

Thanks so much for all and any help 🙂

Give your cockatiel time to adjust to your home. When you first bring your new cockatiel home, he may need anywhere from a few days to two weeks to get comfortable in his new environment. Limit your interactions with him during this time.

• Having a comfortable cage will help your cockatiel adjust to your home. Make sure the cage is large enough for him to spread his wings without touching the sides of the cage. Also, a square or rectangular cage is preferable, since a round cages tend to make birds feel nervous.
• Put his cage in a busy part of your home. Since cockatiels thrive on interaction, getting him used to human activity will help him acclimate to your home.
• Place wood perches of variable diameters in his cage to give his feet good exercise. His food and water dishes should go at the height of the perches to prevent them from getting contaminated by his droppings.
• When you first bring him home, consider sitting with him for about 20 minutes in the room where you have placed his cage— without putting him in his cage. By doing this, he will learn that the space outside of his cage is safe, making it easier for you to take him out of his cage later on.
• I am sure you and him will make a true bond!
• Good Luck!

 

[Emmraa]

Thank you 😊

 

[VIVAAN]

Thank you 😊

Your Welcome!

 

[Zionzion]

My tiels flap when excited , usually yummys they are about to get, when filling pots blow off husks daily may look full but no seed left only husks, give broccoli weekly contains vitamin A stops eye infections. Give dark green veg best for vitamins. If you find the birds stools are loose ease off fruit and veg can cause bird to get very ill charcoal good for loose stools