First Cockatiel!

[Bananerz]

Hello all, I've recently adopted my first cockatiel, Bananas! She's 1.5 years old.

I have some misc. questions about general cockatiel stuff.
1. What are some of Your cockatiels favorite fruits&veggies? I've been trying different ones but she only samples them then turns up her nose. I'm going to keep trying over and over, but perhaps some suggestions?
2. Are there any physical or behavioral signs that she's due to molt?

Thanks all

 

[gracebowen]

Mine likes broccoli and carrots. At first hed only eat cooked. I offered daily for over2 months before he started actually eating. Now they(I have budgies too) eat eggs rice and many other foods.

Actually rice was one of the first things they ate.

 

[Ann333]

I don't have a cockatiel, but my gcc loves bananas, corn, mangos and organic natural applesauce. Those are his favorites Maybe trying some fruit and sweet veggies like this will help open your birds mind to new foods. Then maybe you will have an easier time introducing veggies.

Oh yea! Welcome to the forum.

 

[MikeyTN]

We feed our cockatiels a variety of stuff such as broccoli, cucumber, zucchini, celery, carrots, bell pepper, strawberries, apples, bananas, oranges, kiwi, water melon, cantaloupe, grapes, mango, etc. We chop them up and feed them to everyone. Mine eats them pretty good most of the time. When you see a lot of feathers on the bottom of the cage and when they have a ton of pin feathers, that's usually a clue that they're molting.

 

[Bananerz]

Thanks all
I've started with apples, carrots and bell pepper so far.

 

[Bananerz]

That reminds me! How big/small should I cut her food?

Update: Never mind! I cut some bell pepper and carrots into little 'bite size' nibbles for her, and she's not just eating but feasting on them! Yaaayy!!

 

[Ann333]

Yay great news!!

 

[Notdumasilook]

your lil cockatiel will learn to eat just about anything you do.. including things that are not so good for them. Dont hesitate to give your feathered family member some meat products too (well cooked of course). Mine love chicken, hamburger, pork chops.. Steer clear of avacado and anything salty... both can kill a bird. I have heard chocolate is a problem too.,, but before I had that bit of info mine had already had chocolate ice cream, oreos, and fudge.. with no ill effects (luckily).

 

[Allee]

Hello and Welcome to the forums! You are going to have so much fun with Bananas. My cockatiel will eat almost any vegetable or fruit if it's chopped small enough. She loves brown rice and quinoa too, a little of either one mixed into her chop improves her appetite for healthy food. I offer my birds a sliver of cooked chicken or fish once or twice a week.

So many foods are safe and healthy for our birds, but please keep in mind, there is also a list of toxic foods that should never be offered, even in small quantities, you might get by with it, but why risk it. Chocolate in any form should never be fed to a bird. Here's a link for you.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

 

[Bananerz]

Thanks for the link! I knew some foods were bad for birds but wasn't sure which ones.
I think today I'll try some pasta and bananas.
She seems to prefer her food softer so I'll try cooking some veggies too and see if she likes that better.

 

[Notdumasilook]

If you can get em to eat sweet potato its really high in vitamin A.. a birdy neccesity. Also they need D3... In the wild they get D3 naturally from the sun similar to humans..except its converted on their feathers and they injest it when they preen. Doesnt hurt to get some D3 vitamins ( i use the gel caps) and pop some drops on their food once a week.. Without d3 their lil bodies cant convert calcium to bone/beak/feathers and D3 shortage can be a major cause of health issues with a captive bird thats not getting exposure to sunlight (UV). Ive had several cockatiels myself..and the females always seem to go in to egg laying sprees..so keep plenty of calcium handy. Thin eggs can cause them to get egg bound...and you dont want an egg bound bird..

 

[Bananerz]

OK, thanks!

 

[rowdy]

congrats on your new baby

 

[Bananerz]

Thanks, Rowdy