What do you feed you're Cockatiel?

[Doggirl]

Well, my Mom said that in a month or so I might be getting a Cockatiel! I can't wait, I've been reading some books and such, but I wanted to know from real 'tiel people. So what do you feed you're 'tiel?

[Giselle]

Tiels are mainly seed eaters. I don't have as much knowledge with tiels as I do budgies, so forgive me if I let a false statement out.

Bailey's basic diet is a 1 1/2 teaspoon of Zupreem, 1 teaspoon of Roudybush Crumbles or Small (whichever size the store has in stock), and about a tablespoon of Kaytee Cockatiel diets. However, tiels in the wild all feed within one guideline: Variety. In the home or in the aviary, the bird will require variety. I like to clip dark green, leafy veggies to his cage. Broccoli seems to work best, along with bok choy. Carrots aren't the greatest to clip as they dry very quickly. I usually shred carrots and scatter it in the seed bowl. On occasion, I'll share crumbles of my whole wheat bread (bleached, white bread isn't as healthy). I'm also in the process of trying out baked goods and sprouts on the birds. If Bailey's been a good birdie, I'll give him a Lafeber Nutriberry (crushed). There's quite a bit of sugar in Nutriberries, so they're for occasional treating

[flamepony12]

Baybi eats a mostly seed diet. She eats pellets, and Oats Groats.. (ask about them at the pet store...) and also likes to have some sunflower seeds mixed in occasionally. Also make sure to give them fruits and veggies. Although 'tiels are mostly seed eaters, they also need their leafy greens! It may be hard to get them to eat their '5 a day's at first, but once you get them going it should be part of their daily diet. Cockatiels are also big fans of spray millet, as a treat. Good luck with the cockatiel! They are really great birds, and will be a good friend to you. But also be aware that you will be "signing" an approximately 20 year contract with your birdy friend!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

My cockatiels eat Zupreem pellets and parakeet seed as their main diet. They also get millet, fruits and vegetables, pasta, and eggs. They love apples, celery leaves, romaine lettuce, collard greens, broccoli, etc.

[My Peanuts]

This is what I posted in a similar thread. It answers a lot of basic questions. It is also good to start you tiel on a pellet/seed mix. Pellets are very important...

My cockatiels are like my kids. I bathe them, I cook for them, & I worry about them. I have four, two girls and two boys. Tiels are a lot of work, but worth it. When I first got Alex about 8 years ago I would do what the pet stores said. I would take her out about once or twice a week and feed her mainly seed. That is WRONG. I know that now.

The best advice I can give you is that tiels eat pretty much what you eat, not just seed and pellets. My tiels love green beans, tuna, ham, scrambled eggs, potato salad, etc. Each tiel will be different. Also remember tiels need a lot of calcium, especially females. I wish pet stores would tell people that stuff right off the bat. My avian vet said when you cook for yourself give them some. (Watch the salt and sugar, NO chocolate, alcohol duh!, or avocados) I change the water daily and I add vitamins to it.

Also, weather permitting, my tiels like to go out in the sun (in their cage of course) I bathe them by putting the hose on mist and misting them that way, but only when it's warm enough. They sit in the sun misted and loving it.

I change the cages (I have two, one with my girls in it and one with my boys in it) about once a week. I usually do a full cleaning, but sometimes it’s just a quickie.

I also have a separate issue with my birds that you probably won't. Alex is a bad egg layer, which is why I have four birds now. Alex lived with Danny and got egg bound so the vet wanted them separated. Well, they were lonely so I got Milton to live with Danny and Evie to live with Alex . I also give them daily supervised visits because Danny LOVES Alex and I couldn't keep them separated forever.

This seems like a lot of care, but if you make it part of a routine it really isn't bad. Plus, a hand raised cockatiel will be really affectionate and makes it all worth it. I would suggest getting a pair. Male & female if you don't mind the possibility of babies (A TON OF WORK!) Two females will be quiet, but they still can lay eggs without a male. Two males will be louder, but obviously you don't have to worry about egg bindings or anything like that.

[CamCamPup33]

I feed bennie, Nederlands vita seeds.

Im working on getting him to eat apples, carrots, and all of that other good stuff.

Congrats on your tiel!!