Wanting a Cockatiel & Have questions!

[Jcnbarb4RN]

Hi Everyone! We have just adopted 2 parakeets that are about 2 1/2 to 3 months old and in the beginning we were only getting the 2 parakeets. But.... this is a big BUT...LOL...after lurking here a few days & talking to several bird owners in my area, I really wanted a cockatiel as well. We couldn't decide whether to get the cockatiel or the parakeets. So, we made an agreement that my husband and my kids could get the parakeets ( which I love too! he-he ) and I could get MY cockatiel!! Now that I got all that explained I wanted to ask a couple of questions.

1. What do I need to do to prepare before getting a cockatiel? What size cage is needed because I certainly don't want to get a small one & have to buy another one later?

2. Will the Keets enjoy the cockatiel in the room with them? Will they tolerate each other? I have been reading that parakeets are more aggressive than keets.

3. We are getting a hand raised tiel and are going to pick one out soon. We are going to be able to go visit it and handfeed it ourselves too. How long will it take for us to be able to hold & play with the cocktiel without being bit?

I know I have a lot of questions,but we've never had a tiel before. We've owned parakeets about 12 years ago, though. I wanted to ask these questions before getting one so that we can be educated and know what to expect.

Thanks a bunch!

Barb

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Congrats! I think keets are a little more active then teil's. If your gonna go & see the baby often then you should be able to hold him without bein bitten. From what I've heard, get the largest cage you can afford. Just watch the bar spacing so he can't squeeze out. Crystal

[svolk]

I agree with Crystal in that you should get a large enough cage that you can afford. I don't know the dimensions of Lulu's cage, but she's in a mansion Make sure that the bar spacing is no wider than 1/2 inch. Make sure there is enough room to flap wings, my tiel goes into flapping fits in her cage often (just for fun, she's over the night frights), so make sure there's enough room to flap without hitting the wings on the bars. And make sure there is enough room to add many toys and still giving him/her room to move around.

Look around the tiel or cage section and you should be able to find some actual cage dimensions, at least for the minimum size required.

Budgies do seem to be too active for tiels, who are mainly laid back. But my budgie and tiel cages are in the same room and they do enjoy each other's company from a distance. When they are out of the cage they are not allowed next to each other because my budgie pesters my tiel and then my tiel tries to bite him But they are bonded through just living in the same room together - if they are in separate rooms they will contact call to each other.

[homebird]

Males generally will talk better than the females & the females are generally gentler than the males – how’s that for a general statement!

here are 3 links to look at - #1 is a great sight for you for reference & #2 & #3 have some cage, diet & general knowledge in there.
1) http://www.cockatiels.org/
2) http://www.bluequaker.com/Art-015.htm
3) http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/birds/a/cockatiels.htm

Here are some local breeders in my area who have some really lovely photos of their birds so you can see some of the mutations & see the difference between a show bird & a regular bird. Mom's birds are not high quality - their crests are thin & short compared to the better examples - but if you love your pet it really doesn't matter does it?
http://www.geocities.com/heavenlyfea.../breeders.html
http://www.geocities.com/hwaviary/

I agree with Sarah & Crystal about the cage. Get as long a cage as you can, so you can put lots of toys in it & various branches. If you’re planning on moving it from room to room than you will have to consider the doorways & whether you want to put the cage on a moveable stand. A lot of people like me have a fairly small cage & allow lots of time out. We are however thinking of a fancy cage for the living room that will be more like furniture & offer a nice home if we are away & a friend pet sits.

Check out utube & see Tiels in action - many owners show their cages & play gyms there & it can be inspirational - **same goes for the Budgies.
IE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J9cDzd6QC8

this one shows how they can go on & on with their calls - so prepare yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzy21a5U-WM

[Jcnbarb4RN]

Thanks for sharing and answering my questions. I enjoyed the video's on YouTube! Thanks!!

Barb

[Izzy2006]

Originally Posted by Jcnbarb4RN

Hi Everyone! We have just adopted 2 parakeets that are about 2 1/2 to 3 months old and in the beginning we were only getting the 2 parakeets. But.... this is a big BUT...LOL...after lurking here a few days & talking to several bird owners in my area, I really wanted a cockatiel as well. We couldn't decide whether to get the cockatiel or the parakeets. So, we made an agreement that my husband and my kids could get the parakeets ( which I love too! he-he ) and I could get MY cockatiel!! Now that I got all that explained I wanted to ask a couple of questions.

1. What do I need to do to prepare before getting a cockatiel? What size cage is needed because I certainly don't want to get a small one & have to buy another one later?

2. Will the Keets enjoy the cockatiel in the room with them? Will they tolerate each other? I have been reading that parakeets are more aggressive than keets.

3. We are getting a hand raised tiel and are going to pick one out soon. We are going to be able to go visit it and handfeed it ourselves too. How long will it take for us to be able to hold & play with the cocktiel without being bit?

I know I have a lot of questions,but we've never had a tiel before. We've owned parakeets about 12 years ago, though. I wanted to ask these questions before getting one so that we can be educated and know what to expect.

Thanks a bunch!

Barb

First i'd like to say Congradulations!I have a Tiel and hes awsome,(he going through a fase)
1.You need food,fresh vegies,toys,minreal trats,and a playstand
Id say about a medium.Check out this site: www.drsfosterandsmith.com
2.I honestly have no clue.
3.Id say not too long,i dont have an exact time though.
Goodluck and goodbye,

Madison

[Izzy2006]

Check theese out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUfjGkltBvc&NR
In the very end he goes on and on and on,lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4DMX...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xpV3...elated&search=

[Monica]

Minimum cage size is about 2' sq, but you can look into getting a flight cage/sugar glider cage off of ebay for a great price! Or even a double flight! These are good sized cages for small to medium birds! And often tend to be cheaper than the actual bird cages too!

[Belinda]

My tiels cage is 30" long, 18" deep and 36" tall, he seems very happy in it. I'm only a newbie to tiels, got Cookie about 2 months ago. I'm having trouble with him screaming at the moment but i'm ignoring it and he's getting better. I find that he eats similar food to the budgies, only thing different is the type of seed mix. Then he gets pellets, and heaps of veggies. :) I got Cookie as a parent raised baby from a pet shop and he was used to being handled when i got him, he was tame within a few days and eager to see me within a week. He's more clingy than the budgies which can be a nuisance as he gets upset when i walk away from him but mostly he's a great little bird. He gets along with the budgies too (after careful introduction) and my blue budgie Blinkie actually flirts with him, lol!