Please help me care for my tiels...

[6kids1dog2tiels20fish]

HI..I am VERY new to birds, I just got 2 tiels today. I did some reading up last night on them, and today I fed them some brussel sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, green peppers and a strawberry, all mixed up together...they ate it pretty darn good...
Now...I really have NOOO clue about what to do with these...about their care, what they need, etc. I've read a few postings that have something about moult, pearl...and there is another one, but I can't remember it. If anyone could give me a clue on what to do, I would be forever greatful!!
Apparently the lady i got these from said the home before her wasn't very good and these birds are very fearful of anything. The male is a bit better, he will at times eat out of your hand, but the female has a stroke if anyone comes near. The female has quite a few feathers missing, she looks kinda roughed up. she just needs a good home with someone looking out for her I guess....Anyways, any help would be appreciated!!

Thank you!

[matt74]

I hope you do plan on keeping these birds, as it is at least their 3rd home, but either way as far as diet, there will be as many opinions as members on this board, but as a base diet, a good pellet and a quality seed mix (I feed Zupreem Fruitblend and either a Higgins mix or Abba) I buy a different seed every time I run low, but I do not have Cockatiels. As far as pellets go, Harrisons seem to be king but they are pricey, I have also heard good things about roudybush. Pellets and seed mixes are made in sizes to fit your bird. As far as fresh food goes, I'm big on carrots, broccoli, and leafy dark greens (kale, romaine lettuce, collard). Fruits are more of a treat although I have heard to stay away from strawberry (pesticide soaks in and doesn't wash off) and grapes (not sure why. Never feed your bird avacado it's toxic to 'em.
If the female is missing feathers, I would get a seperate cage for her and put them side by side. The male could be aggressive toward her while you aren't around or she could just be molting, but I would make sure if seperated, that they are still close, because at this point all they know is each other.
Oh, also, if they don't know from pellets and they ate the veggies, when you give them the pellets mix the veggies in, it'll help get them used to it, but never try to starve a bird into eating something. Good to have you aboard!!

[KDK241]

I agree with switching them to pellets. Roudybush and Zupreem are good choices. The fact that they ate fresh foods is great, keep feeding them daily. They are scared right now so I would just give them time to settle in a bit. Sit and talk to them and just be around them and give them time to see that you aren't going to hurt them. I wouldn't seperate them just yet unless you actually see the male is plucking the female or showing a lot of agression towards her. Seperating them when you just got them will only stress them out more. There are other things that can cause her to have feathers missing so they should be checked out by an avian vet. What size cage are they in? They should be able to flap their wings without hitting the cage bars and should have enough room to get away from each other if needed. Here is a great site with a lot of information on tiels.
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