Cockateils

[ChessKing]

Looking at buying a hand raised cockateil, never actually owned one before but have always had an interest in them due to their ability to be let out of their cage and how they seem to like human company. (Our family use to have budgies).

Can anyone provide any information/feedback when it comes to selecting and looking after cockateils.

Thanks.

[svendenhowser]

I have a tiel (used to have 2, she had v. strong wings and flew away one day, even with wings clipped), Jimmeh! He's awesome

Theres a couple of things to look for when getting a tiel, generally pet shops have poor quality birds, def. look for a breeder, not a backyard breeder, a real breeder. As for the physical conformation of the bird you want a bird thats plump (not sticking out its feathers in a 'puffed' type stance) and vibrant, bright eyed and bushy tailed as the saying goes :P Try and choose one without a bald spot on their heads, this is a sign of inbreeding, although that actual tiel might not have been directly subject to inbreeding, along the lines somewhere it probably has, although if you dont plan on breeding them (which i dont recommend) then a bald spot tiel is a fine pet (btw Jimmeh has a bald spot).

Handle the birds, get them out of the cage, but remember they will react much much differently in that situation where they are around other tiels and the breeder they know compared to when you get the little fella home. Its hard to sex tiels when they are young, you really have to wait until their first moult (3months ish) to sex them. Some skilled breeders can vent sex them, but its pretty hard and I wouldn't rely on it. Males and females do differ in temperment, males are generally more vocal while females are more reserved and cuddly although this isn't always the case.

Then onto the cage, they need a fairly large cage, I cant remember actual dimensions but one that allows the bird to fully outstretch its wings and flap around a bit they love to do this in the cage and often hurt themselves if the cage is too small, especially night frights which is where they are startled by something in the night and totally freak out, they are very small and what seems like a tiny loss of blood to us is a huge amount for a small bird.

Then theres food, varied diet is the best with a staple of parrot pellets (i use vetafarm, roudybush is good too but expensive). A good breeder will have already weaned the bird onto fruit/veges/pellets although they can be very fussy... Seeds are only recommended as a treat, they are not balanced and will cause things like obesity, fatty liver and will decrease the life of your tiel. Oh and of course fresh water at all times.

what else... training a bird can be very rewarding, but it can also be very tough and frustrating! But if you persist then you'll have a lovely bird on your hands This is assuming your keeping the bird inside..

Heres jimmeh (white) and wendy (yellow/grey) my lovely girl who flew away...
http://tbbw.customer.netspace.net.au/new%20008.jpg

[aussie7]

A site someone here suggested to me is

http://www.petlink.com.au/

Maybe post a wanted to buy add and it was also recomended to me to buy from a breader than a pet store

[UnIsUx]

My girlfriend and I have 2 female 'tiels and they provide us with endless entertainment.

I don't recommend getting just one bird, as they are social animals and suffer greatly when left alone. Two birds are no more work than one.

If you don't want them to breed you can get two of the same sex.

I'd also recommend finding someone who breeds them to sell to pet shops, as you may be able to visit the avery and pick your favourites before they are stressed by the pet shop experience.

Cheers.

UnIsUx