Hi from Tallahassee, FL

[Suz Stickville]

Hi, I have been reading postings ever since I aquired an 8 yr old male cockatiel about a week ago. I finally decided to join in during my current insomina Ya'll have given me sooo much VERY needed info in the past week that I thought that I would finally give my VERY heart felt thanks to the members of this board/forum...
I own a cockatiel may years ago but I had forgotten soo much and THIS bird is now getting soo much better care than he did before I got him. The previous owner was actually left with the bird by an ex and he was so very happy to find out that I was interested in Tweety (bird's name). He had cared for the bird for about 5 yrs and my friend in Not a bird person. When I recieved Tweety I was given the bird, a small container of seed and the feed/water cups in the cage iwth 2 perches. Tweety is now thanks to ya'll is given a small (1 to oz) of seed, pellets, acsess to grit and is now just starting to eat fresh food(brocili SP?)
My boyfriend built me a large flight cage (which I cleaned VERY thoughly with vineger & brush according to ya'lls directions). I also gave him a millet spray 2 days ago and he is just starting to eat that also. He gets a morning misting after my first cup of coffe but before I clean his cage.... he is really not to hot on the idea of the misting yet... only time will tell...

Tweety is out of his cage for 1 to 2 hours every day now... I had to slowwwly work up the time because he would get sooo nervious at first when he was not caged. Now Tweety is looking forward to "up" and out of his cage. He REALLY likes his new cage, it is about 4 times the size of his old one. I have 3 silver chains that I wear at all times on one wrist and he likes to taste? them before he wants to groom my long hair after about 30 min of my working on his training before he is allowed to play and climb all over me. Sorry this is so long but I am still sooo excited over Tweety and the changes I am already seeing in him in the last week. If ya'll could please give me further advise I would really apprecialte it.

Extatic new bird fiend

[red192]

Yes, these ladies and gentlemen here are full of helpful info. I have learned alot from them in the few months I have been a member here. May you and Tweety ejoy ur visits here. Post pics soon!

[Monica]

You might want to toss out the grit as it is a waste of money. Only oyster grit has any good pros to it (calcium), but it has some cons to it as well (can cause crop impaction or can actually cut the crop up on the inside). Instead, an easier way to give calcium is via cooked eggs and eggshells, cuttlebones, and calcium supplements (best to get a recommendation from a vet as to what type to use - I just bought some liquid calcium for humans as per recommended by my vet). As far as everything else, it sounds like you are doing a great job! Here's some more fresh food ideas from 'The Healthy Bird Cookbook'...

Grains, Breads, and Muffins
Corn bread
Graham crackers
Mandel bread, soaked
Matzoh
Matzoh balls
Mini bagels
Oatmeal
Pastas
Rice
Rice cakes
Rice Chex
Rice Krispies
Sweetened corn cereals
Sweetened oat cereals
Toasted bread
Unsalted crackers
Unsalted, unbuttered popcorn
Wheat cereals
Whole-wheat or multigrained bread
Zweibach toast, soaked
Other grains

Vegetables
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Carrots
Corn
Green beans
Jalapeno peppers
Lima beans
Mixed vegetables
Okra
Peas
Potatoes
Summer squash
Sweet Potatoes
Winter squash
Yams

Fruit
Apples
Bananas
Berries (all kind)
Grapes
Kiwis
Mangos
Melons
Oranges
Papaya
Pears
Star Fruit
Winter Squash
Yams

Other Foods
Hulled seeds
Millet spray
Monkey biscuits
Peanut butter sandwiches rolled in millet
Pellets
Scrambled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs
Sprouted seeds


Foods to avoid
Chocolate
Avocados
Sugar (too much is a bad thing... best kind is natural sugars)
Old Seeds
Mayonnaise products
Unwashed Fruits or Vegetables
Rhubarb (contains oxalic acid, as does spinach - feed only in small amounts)
Fruit Pits
Nuts (brazil nuts, almonds, imported nuts that have been polished/dyed)
Dairy Products (birds are lactose intolerent-feed small amounts-cleaned/cooked eggs and yogurt fine)
Mold
Caffeine
Salt
Alcohol
Food Dyes
Sulfites (found in dried fruits and veggies to help preserve them- only from health food store)

[Suz Stickville]

Thanks for the food list Monica. I got Tweety a cuttlebone a couple of days age... his beak has ruff edges and I thought that might help but I did not think about the calcium. Tweety also has ragged claws but I am going into town tomorrow?today and I am planning to pick him up a concrete perch to help with that problem...hopefully it will help .
I just printed out the non toxic plants list earlier that I found on the board. My printer is now going printing out your list of foods and I haved already saved both in docs..... will prob have to pick up more printer paper also the way I'm going thru it lately. I live in the country to the no toxic plant list is a BIG bonus to me as I have 2 1/2 acres that I have landscaped part and have a large veggie garden (75 x 45 ft) . I need to find a good saft wood list though so I can give him different diamiter perches. The closest pet store (other than the local feed/hardware store) is more than 30 miles away so I try to consolidate my town trip to save on gas $.

[Tiki]

Welcome to Birdboard, Suz!

[The Outlaw]

Welcome Suzi! Hope you enjoy being part of our big family.

[homebird]

I loved your story. Yes this is a great place to find out about stuff - important & otherwise

I have had to trim claws myself. It’s not too difficult but a 2nd person is necessary. There's a thread by Peanut's mom with a video on nail clipping. My accomplice wore gardening gloves & held the bird in a hand towel - boy those delicate little feet sure can hide! I took only a very small amount off at a time - the nails are sensitive & will bleed too if you take more than 1/16'' off - if they are really long you'll have to do it again in a week or two, as the inside part will recede.

There have been some pretty fun threads on harnesses or bird diapers with a leash. It would be great if your bird could go outside with you to visit the garden.

Good luck with the little guy - where are the pics of him & all his stuff?
PS - Tallahassee is a great name - I've always likes it LOL

[RhondaR]

Hi Suzi! Glad you found this board! It sounds like you're doing great with Tweety~ I love hearing about birds given another chance at a good life.

We really would love pics!

[Irish]

Welcome to birdboard, Suzi :-). Tweety sounds like he got himself a great home!

[Suz Stickville]

I think Tweety would love going into the garden with me BUt there is one big problem.... I have a nesting site of North Florida Red Shoulder HAWKS that live on the property nest to mine. They do a great job of keeping the squirrels and rabbits out of my garden (they turn into snacks if they do!!). I just would not like Tweety to be a snack:0 It was a nice idea though. No pics as of yet... no digital camera but I have a friend that has one and will try to get him to come over with camera this weekend.. save to computer and then figure how to try and load it up... am not THAT computer literate.