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...y+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/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)

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....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

signs of sick bird

toxic and safe foods

more unsafe foods

now safe foods

food pyramid for birds

cockatiel info

toxic cookware fumes

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