cockateil

[solero4]

please can anyone advice me i have jast bought a baby cockatiel but now am a bit worried that it may be to young its 6 weeks old i have put food and waterin bottom of cage as it doesnt seam to be able to grip the perch for long and ends up on the floor. irem a long time back when i had babys that i had to give it very fine choped egg. the feathers on this bird are just comming in on its head can anyone advice me what to do. very worried thanks all

[LovelySydney]

Welcome to BB! Since it is a baby it could be just not too stable on its feet yet. My parrotlet was like this when I first got him, I lined the bottom of the cage with a towel. I also placed food down there where it was easy for him to get to it. Have you seen him eat at all? I would try millet and put it in front of him and see if he will eat that, most birds devour it and I know some babies are weaned on millet as well as seed/pellets, etc. If he isn't eating at ALL than you need to call the person you got the bird from because that bird probably isnt weaned. 6 weeks is very young so hopefully the person you got him from didnt sell you a bird that isnt weaned.


Keep us posted!!

[solero4]

I have put food and water in the bottom and half covered the cage and left him (i hope it is a he) when i looked 2 hrs later he was picking the tiny seed and eating it i feel like a fussy new mum not seen him take water through. I am very gratefull for any advice at the min.
thanking you

[sailorkelly]

Welcome, You should call the person you got the bird from. They should have told you what to do and how to do it. 6 weeks does sound very young.

[LovelySydney]

Any update on your little one? How is he doing?

[solero4]

hi baby is doing good, eating well. i went in cage to clean it and away he flew a bit happ hazered but was ok it was myself and hubby who was worried.he has started to try and climb up the cage but can not grip on the perch. I have put atowel and paper at the bottom of cage and cover him at night. i have choped a boiled egg up very fine and its in his seeds and he likes it.
what is the best fruit to feed him on and any tips what best in food thanks.
feel like a new mum its all new again

[Monica]

Do you have pics of this tiel??? Six weeks sounds too young to be fully weaned, and perhaps the lack of stability on the perches could be due to age, or weakness (not getting the right foods/not getting enough).

[solero4]

no not yet but he has started to climb the cage and sit on perch had a good flutter and is eating very well, my only concern now is that the feathers have not all come on his head but u can see them comming he seams happy enough so realy i dont think i should worry to much. the woman who i bought it from had a avery outside with tiels and budgies. this was the last baby tiel she had. the adults looked well and good. he is having tiel mix and very fine egg. can u recomend any other food i know they like fruit. thanks. as soon as i can i will take photo of him. thanking you. its great to know that people are out ther to help thanks again

[solero4]

Hi baby max is doing real good but one problem he eats from morning right up to dinner time non stop (think he must be afraid that it will go away)
do you think i should take seed out after a hour and put it back in later help please thanking you

[Monica]

Birds can easily eat 15% or more of their body weight in food daily. It is *NOT* a good idea to remove food from them, especially if you will not be there to put the food back in the cage.

Get a gram scale (digital kitchen or postal scale - easily bought from major chain grocery stores) and weigh Max daily right before he eats but after he does his morning poop.