I just found this forum and I am hoping experienced cockatiel people can help. I had two wonderful cockatiels until this morning. My little girl died in my arms and left behind her buddy Eddie. She was 7 years old and he is 6. They had been together for 4 years and now we are worried that he will be lonely. He used to live with a friend and was very lonely until he met Skuttle. She died of a respitory illness and he is showing no signs of the same. We would like to get a new companion for him soon and would like advice. He and Skuttle used to be in separate cages, but became insepartable so they shared. I have no problems with them living together or separate, but I would like him to have a new friend. Is it better to get a male or female for him, or does it matter. Should I wait a long time or get one soon? Should I get him a new friend at all? I don't know if he will accept a new friend. Thanks in advance for any help.
New friend for Eddie
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Hi there welcome to the forum, I am so sorry to hear about Skuttles, Eddie must be so sad without her after all this time together, Its hard to say whether or not he would accept another friend some get along great and others just do not, I have 4, 2 males and 2 females, Lee and Minnie are inseparable and Georgie and Ollie tolerate each other but Georgie really doesn't like anyone, I got Ollie as a friend for Georgie and its been about 10 months they have been together and he is still not allowed to get to close to her or she will try and beak him 
as long as your prepared that they might not be as close as Eddie and Skuttle are he might enjoy the company of a new friend, as far as male or female I don't think it really matters but seeing as he has been with a female for so long he just might enough the company of another female.
Its really up to you on the time, some wait and some get one right away keep in mind they have to be in quarantine in separate rooms for at least 30 days to make sure neither of them is carrying and hidden illnesses.
I am sure there will be others along that can give you some more advice on this good luck in making your decision.
as long as your prepared that they might not be as close as Eddie and Skuttle are he might enjoy the company of a new friend, as far as male or female I don't think it really matters but seeing as he has been with a female for so long he just might enough the company of another female.Its really up to you on the time, some wait and some get one right away keep in mind they have to be in quarantine in separate rooms for at least 30 days to make sure neither of them is carrying and hidden illnesses.
I am sure there will be others along that can give you some more advice on this good luck in making your decision.
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Welcome to the forums, i'm sorry it's such a sad circumstance that brought you here.
This is the most important thing i was going to say...
It might be worth getting Eddie vet checked just to make sure he hasn't got what Skuttle died of. They can carry these things without showing symptoms until it's very serious.
This is the most important thing i was going to say...
So whether you get one today or 3 months from now it's not going to be a quick fix.Laura said:
It might be worth getting Eddie vet checked just to make sure he hasn't got what Skuttle died of. They can carry these things without showing symptoms until it's very serious.
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Welcome to the form Sorry to hear about Skuttle I would take Eddie to an avian vet to get him checked out, as birds are really good at hiding their illnesses. After that if you want a companion for Eddie you can get him one Just remember to quarantine. As to the sex of the new compainion a female may be nice, or if you don't want to worry about them trying to breed and having eggs (or you may not get this problem, just look at Ollie and Georgie ) you could get another male. Hope this helps
Sorry to hear about Skuttle I would take Eddie to an avian vet to get him checked out, as birds are really good at hiding their illnesses. After that if you want a companion for Eddie you can get him one Just remember to quarantine. As to the sex of the new compainion a female may be nice, or if you don't want to worry about them trying to breed and having eggs (or you may not get this problem, just look at Ollie and Georgie ) you could get another male. Hope this helps Thanks everyone for your thoughts and hints. I do know about the quarentine process in introduction period. I am glad that everyone informs about it because I know plenty of people don't know that you should or get excited over a new bird. I used to breed doves and it is very important.
Skuttle apparently had a tumor that grew quickly and killed her. Eddie seems to be in good health, although pretty stressed. He keeps calling her and is very upset that she doesn't answer. We are planning on finding him a friend this summer so we have all summer to give him and his new friend time to get to know each other. He and Skuttle never laid eggs together (I think he wanted to, she didn't lol) but he is 6 and I am worried about bringing a young female in with him. Would he try to be overbearing with her? I don't really want to breed tiels, so having a female is not a must. I wish it was possible to let him meet some birds and pick his own friend, similar to dogs at the ASPCA but not very safe. Thought about trying to find a rescue older bird, but not any close around here and the idea of shipping a bird scares me. (Would worry about the stress on the bird). Is there any problems with birds being 6 years different in ages? Any mutations that have certain personality traits. Skuttle was a typical grey and white tiel and eddie is yellow. Not sure what their mutations are called. She was really mellow and only sang with him. She was cuddlier and he is more standoffish(I'm his human). sorry for the long post, but I am leaving out of the country in two weeks and want to do as much research on mutations as I can before I go. Thanks.
Skuttle apparently had a tumor that grew quickly and killed her. Eddie seems to be in good health, although pretty stressed. He keeps calling her and is very upset that she doesn't answer. We are planning on finding him a friend this summer so we have all summer to give him and his new friend time to get to know each other. He and Skuttle never laid eggs together (I think he wanted to, she didn't lol) but he is 6 and I am worried about bringing a young female in with him. Would he try to be overbearing with her? I don't really want to breed tiels, so having a female is not a must. I wish it was possible to let him meet some birds and pick his own friend, similar to dogs at the ASPCA but not very safe. Thought about trying to find a rescue older bird, but not any close around here and the idea of shipping a bird scares me. (Would worry about the stress on the bird). Is there any problems with birds being 6 years different in ages? Any mutations that have certain personality traits. Skuttle was a typical grey and white tiel and eddie is yellow. Not sure what their mutations are called. She was really mellow and only sang with him. She was cuddlier and he is more standoffish(I'm his human). sorry for the long post, but I am leaving out of the country in two weeks and want to do as much research on mutations as I can before I go. Thanks.
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If you're worried about him being overbearing to a young female i would go with a male. I don't think you will have too many problems with the age difference. The only difference between the mutations is their physical appearance. It all comes down to which one appeals to you most. The only thing i've heard is that lutinos (all yellow with red eyes) are more prone to night frights than other mutations...but i've found the opposite to be true in my flock so there goes that theory.
The only difference between the mutations is their physical appearance. It all comes down to which one appeals to you most. The only thing i've heard is that lutinos (all yellow with red eyes) are more prone to night frights than other mutations...but i've found the opposite to be true in my flock so there goes that theory. 1 - 8 of 8 Posts
