[nikkirocks]

Hello!

New to the forum, absolutely thrilled to have a new baby cockatiel at home! He is 8 weeks old and this is his 5th day at home

I worry this baby may not be getting enough sleep, and it will affect his temperment as I try to bond with him. His cage is in the living room which is a central room for my husband and me, and we are typically in there past 11pm each night. Considering he seems awake at 7:30AM when we get up, this is clearly not the 10-12 hours that is recommended. The first few days at home, he was really energetic, seeming to dance on the bottom of the cage when we played music and climbing all over the cage, but the past 2 days he's been sitting like a lump on a log staring at us.

1. I am scared it will terrify him as he is getting accustomed to our house, but should we start moving him to a quiet room each night around 8PM to ensure he gets enough sleep (and move him back to living room in the morning)? Or will this change in surroundings totally set back any bonding progress?

2. Should my husband also try to cozy up to him or should we just focus on him bonding with me first?

3. I got him to eat from a sprig of millet I held in the cage today, I had to put it right up to his beak and he looked like he really didn't want to eat it but he took a few nibbles...I don't know if that is good or if I forced it too much? I think he is sitting still because that terrified him.

He had started coming over to the side of the cage I was sitting by but now I am worried I've undone all the trust by putting that millet in his cage today. Help! I am trying to have patience but also feeling frustrated.

 

[Robert Seale]

Sounds to me like your doing just fine. I'm glad that you seem concerned about his sleep as that IS important. You don't really need to move him to another room but I would advise using something like an old bed sheet to cover his cage at night. Our 4 tiels are in the living room too and when we stay up later, we just turn the volume down and turn the lights on low or off. As for bonding, I would say BOTH of you can try it and see which one the bird tends to pick as a mate. You did nothing wrong by putting the millet in the cage. Keep in mind this is a young bird and he has to get use to different foods or treats. If you have anymore questions, feel free to hit me up.

 

[Eliazah]

We have a night cage in a separate room for our little guy. We put him to bed at 7:30, cover the cage, and put on a sound machine. He likes “sounds of summer nights.” Cheekie loves to go to bed and wakes up happy at 7:30 am.

 

[Vickitiel]

Hello there and welcome to the forum!

Cockatiels are naturally very light sleepers. They get used to hearing noises at night (as long as the noises aren't loud enough to be potentially frightening, such as a tv on high volume) and can still sleep without issues once they are accustomed to it. Your 'tiel is still very new to your household and it will take him a few weeks to settle in and become fully comfortable in his new home and with all the new sounds that come with it. Do you cover his cage at night? This can help improve his sleep and will help to better control his day/night routine, but if he is not used to being covered or is unsettled with a cover on you can set up a soft night light near his cage.

Don't be worried about ruining your progress in bonding with him. They are very forgiving little creatures. Go slow with him and at his pace. Food bribery is great for getting them to associate hands and fingers with a positive experience once they pluck up the courage. Your 'tiel is very young and just recently weaned so it will take him a few weeks to warm up to new foods. Make sure you offer him a variety of foods (you can start with grated/shredded vegetables like carrots, broccoli, silverbeet, spinach, different seeds and grains, and pellets). You have the best chance with a young bird like yours at getting them used to a varied diet, as they are prone to being picky.

Best of luck with your new 'tiel, keep us updated on how he's doing and please don't hesitate to post about any other questions you have.