Cockateil help...

[king2005]

A co-worker came to me this morning & asked if I wanted the family pet. He said his newborn is having breathing issues so they need to rehome the bird, but only to a loving home. He knows I do rescues so he came to me first.

He said its well behaved & comes with a parrot cage, temp cage, toys, food, treats, papers, bath, & anything else it owns. He said it sings in the morning & is quiet as a mouse once his blankie is over the cage. He also said hes not terribly noisy during the day, as it has never annoyed anyone.

He said they have no issues holding onto the bird for a few weeks or a couple of months longer, as they really just want to find it a good loving home. SO I'll be getting the bird some time after July 11th (I'm returning from a trip) & before July 19th.

His wife is going to teach me everything I need to know about the species, & the individual bird.

*****
I would like to know some pointers on how to become its friend & anything that might be toxic to the bird, as it will be eating a lot of human foods (fresh veggies, ect), + its bird seeds.

Is Digi's food harmful if the bird eats from her food dish, or pecks at a beef bone on the floor (Digi is a messy eater & I find her food/bones everywhere)?
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pets/Digi/Digis+Fancy+Smancy+Food/

I have an AC, is there a temp that could harm the bird? I like the house fairly cool. Is a fan harmful to the bird? Or a ceiling fan's breeze?

Food I cook?

Cleaners?

Parfume I wear?

Dog shampoo?

Soaps I use around the house (dishes/clothing)?

My natural fish tank's water? (its never medicated, as its very healthy, clean, & has oak & cherry wood in it)

Can I put him outside for fresh air, or to sing to other birds?

Will he poop all over my house? Can I train him not to?

Is his poop toxic to Digi if she gets into some?

Will he try to eat my house plants, & are any of them toxic to him?
Spider Plant
Xmas Cactus
Unknown tree thing
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Personal/2007/MyPlants/img_2171.jpg.html
unknown vine with flowers
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Personal/2007/MyPlants/img_2166.jpg.html
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Personal/2007/MyPlants/img_2173.jpg.html
A palm tree like plant (no pics)

Will he chew on wires?

Will he try to fly through my window?

How do I catch him if he gets scared & starts flying? (I have no idea if he can fly, I hope he can, as I don't believe in clipping wings)

Anything else I might need to know so I can get ready for his arrival?

[Husky_mom]

you sure have a lot of Q´s... and I could give give yu answer to many of them... but being sooooo lenghty to post... I´ll check some links for you to read when you have time... or you can check tailfeathersnetwork dot com slash community... or talkcockatiels dot com... these two sites have LOTSA info about tiel care....

toxic paints, plants, fumes, food.... etc...

you can PM me anytime. I´ll be glad to help

[king2005]

you sure have a lot of Q´s... and I could give give yu answer to many of them... but being sooooo lenghty to post... I´ll check some links for you to read when you have time... or you can check tailfeathersnetwork dot com slash community... or talkcockatiels dot com... these two sites have LOTSA info about tiel care....

toxic paints, plants, fumes, food.... etc...

you can PM me anytime. I´ll be glad to help

Thank you!
When I get a pet surrendered to me & I know nothing about it (like the Ball Python I had).. I try to think of every possible situation the animal could possibly in counter in my home.

I just wanted to make sure I would get the correct info, as I know some sites giver BS info(just look at fish info.. esp goldfish & betas).. With me not knowing a thing about birds, & I'd hate to follow incorrect info which will harm the fella.

I knew there were a lot of teil owners on here, so I knew I'd get the correct info or pointed to a good site.

[Argranade]

Is Digi's food harmful if the bird eats from her food dish, or pecks at a beef bone on the floor (Digi is a messy eater & I find her food/bones everywhere)?http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pets...y+Smancy+Food/
I don't know but always keep an eye on your tiel when she's out to prevent her from eating anything you won't know about.

I have an AC, is there a temp that could harm the bird? I like the house fairly cool. Is a fan harmful to the bird? Or a ceiling fan's breeze?
It's better to keep the tiel at room temperature, if she goes from hot too cold too often it could make her sick and cockatiels are from warm climates.

Food I cook?
You can give her foods like cooked rice, peas, carrots, brocoli ect...


Cleaners?
To clean the cage there are special products you can buy in pet stores that are safe for our avian friends.

Parfume I wear?
It's o.k to wear perfume but don't spray it on near your tiel.

Dog shampoo?
Never use or let her near dog shampoo it could probably make her sick.


Soaps I use around the house (dishes/clothing)?
Again never let any soaps near her.


My natural fish tank's water? (its never medicated, as its very healthy, clean, & has oak & cherry wood in it)
I would not let her near the tank because the fish that poop and pee in there can make her sick.

Can I put him outside for fresh air, or to sing to other birds?
Yes but safely in a cage or wearing a harness with you by her side 24/7.

Will he poop all over my house? Can I train him not to?
It's very hard to train a tiel that's already used to pooping wherever ever she wants plus cleaning up bird poop is not that hard, just use cleenix (sp?) lol.

Is his poop toxic to Digi if she gets into some?
I don't know what Digi is sorry lol, either way just to be safe clean up any poops you see after letting your bird out.

Will he try to eat my house plants, & are any of them toxic to him?
Spider Plant
Xmas Cactus
Unknown tree thing
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pers..._2171.jpg.html
unknown vine with flowers
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pers..._2166.jpg.html
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pers..._2173.jpg.html
A palm tree like plant (no pics)
If you let her she'll probably nibble the plants,

Here is a list of safe and non safe plants, maybe yours will be on here,

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1912&articleid=2236


Will he chew on wires?
All wires should be covered but be by her side all the time when she's out to be safe.


Will he try to fly through my window?
If she's fully flighted she might, getting her wings clipped would be safer.

How do I catch him if he gets scared & starts flying? (I have no idea if he can fly, I hope he can, as I don't believe in clipping wings)
You can use a blanket or your hands depending on how tame she is.

You may not believe in clipping wings but it's very safe for your birds, they don't feel a thing as it's like clipping your hair BUT if the room you plan on keeping her is safe and you don't plan on bringing her outdoors then keeping her wings flighted will be fine.

Anything else I might need to know so I can get ready for his arrival?
Don't handle her for the first day, let her settle in getting used to everything.

Hope I cleared some things up, so many questions LOL.

[Husky_mom]

safe plants (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=543)

signs of sick bird (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=2786)

toxic and safe foods (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=1842)

more unsafe foods (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=70)

now safe foods (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=536)

food pyramid for birds (http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=1452)

cockatiel info (http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=13)

toxic cookware fumes (http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/showthread.php?t=2628)

in the almost last one you may wanna click in a bunch of them as they have awesome info there

[king2005]

Sorry Argranade.. Totally forgot no one here knows Digi.. Shes my puppy.


Thanks ladies!

When I get home from work, I'll be able to check out all those links/sites

[Taz_Zoee]

Sorry Argranade.. Totally forgot no one here knows Digi.. Shes my puppy.


I remember Digi! :D While I know nothing about birds, I'd sure love to see some pix of Digi!! :D :D

[king2005]

I remember Digi! :D While I know nothing about birds, I'd sure love to see some pix of Digi!! :D :D

You should remember Digi looking something like this
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/d/9059-1/img_2013.jpg
Thin, shaved, abused, wounds, weak, infections, & horrid anxiety issues.

This is Digi now
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/d/3970-2/IMG_3491.JPG
You can see how much of her fur has grown back.. its not all back, & most of the hairs that were shaved have split ends from the damage. So I just have to wait many more months for those hairs to fall out & be replaced my healthy hairs. She still has leg, side & chest hairs growing in in patches. Her tail is VERY pretty & she has bat ears hehe

You can see her leg & chest hair in this one
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/d/5064-4/June+1+2008+011.jpg

Thats ALL butt hair!!!! its 6" long!!! It waves as she walks.. its sooo funny & elegant...
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/d/5079-2/June+1+2008+016.jpg

3 months ago she weighed 35lbs.. Haven't weighed her since my car accident as I've been too sore & tired to do much of anything. Shes lucky I walk in the field as long as I do, as I still have bad days...

She'll be 1yr old Aug 1st (made up b-day.. she was born late July, but I have no idea when, so I just picked Aug 1st).

I'm not posting it in dog general, cause I always get shunned in there, just because I have different views/opinions on things... So please don't ask me to post in there.

[Scooter's Mom]

I haven't had a bird in many years, I just wanted to say it's nice to "see" you around! Good luck with the bird, and thank you for taking it in. Also, great job finding out all of your information about the bird; the way you do your research is commendable!

Hope you're doing well.

[Taz_Zoee]

Sorry about your car accident. :(

And I can't see the pictures of Digi. :(

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Looks like everything has been pretty well covered. I did want to add one thing regarding the a/c though. Your bird will be fine with any temperature you are comfortable at. Drafts are one thing to be aware of though with the a/c. Where you keep her cage should be completely draft free. A draft can easily make you bird sick. Also be careful of any fans, ceiling fans or otherwise. Never have a fan blowing on your cockatiel and be sure she is never getting a draft from a fan. Also of corse never have a fan on while your bird is out of her cage. Some birds can still fly even if their wings are clipped and a fan can be deadly.

Congratulations on your newest addition.