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Choosing A Pet - The Cockatiel
Choosing a pet is very important. There are many pets that you can choose from but there are also many things to consider when choosing a pet. Some very important things to consider are:
1.) Do you have the space to keep this pet happy and healthy?
2.) Do you have the time that is required to care for this pet?
3.) Do you know enough about this pet?
A cockatiel requires very little space. It can be kept happy and healthy in even the tiniest of apartments. Even by allowing your cockatiel a very large and spacious cage it will still take up less space than alot of other pets.
A cockatiel does not require alot of time or effort depending on what you expect from it as a pet. The care and feeding takes a few minutes a day but training is very time consuming and requires a great amount of patience. It is also important to me when I care for my cockatiels that I give them a few minutes a day out of their cages to spend time with me. This not only gives them exercise but it also helps to keep them tame and keeps the bond between the birds and myself very strong.
Before choosing a pet you should learn all you can about the pet that you are considering. One good place to start is with your pet store. Not only can they give you a great amount of information themselves they can also connect you with other resources for futher information. Learning all you can about the pet you are considering is one of the most important things that you can do when you are choosing a pet.
A cockatiel comes in many colors, or mutations. The pied, cinnamon, lutinos and pearls are just a few of the many varieties available. The most important thing to remember when you pick a cockatiel is to get a healthy bird that has been well cared for. If you want a very tame bird you should get a young one who has been hand fed.
One important thing that I do when I decide to get any new pet is prepare his home ahead of time. I want to be able to make him feel at home immediately.
The cage should be placed in an area that is well lit and ventilated. It should be placed in a quite area, at least at first, to allow the cockatiel a quiet place to adjust when you first bring him home. As he gets used to your home you can gradually move his cage to a permanent place. A cockatiel will actually enjoy being in the center of a busy family but he needs time to adjust to his cage first.
The cage should be roomy and spacious enough for the cockatiel to move about freely. You should purchase the largest cage that will fit in the area that you have chosen to keep your pet in.It should have several perches of different sizes placed at different levels throughout the cage.
Food and water dishes should be attached to the cage and filled.
The cockatiel will eat seed which can be purchased from your pet store and is specifically formulated for cockatiels. Keep in mind that not all bird seed is the same so be sure to purchase a seed blend intended for cockatiels. Fresh fruit and vegetables can also be offered to your cockatiel in a separate food dish. All the dishes should be emptied and washed each day and refilled with fresh clean water and food.
There are many toys that you can purchase for a cockatiel. The toys will keep your pet entertained while you are away as well as giving him some exercise while he is in his cage.
Now that you have prepared the cage and learned as much as you can about cockatiels it's time to choose your new pet.
Find a dealer or breeder with an excellent reputation and then check him out yourself. When you enter his shop does it appear that the animals are cared for properly? Are the cages in good condition and clean? Do the cockatiels seem healthy and happy? Does the breeder or dealer seem knowledgeable and helpful?
If you don't feel comfortable with this person at this point it's time to find another breeder or dealer. Do not feel pressured into purchasing from someone you are not comfortable with. If you have decided that you are comfortable with this dealer, it's time to look at the birds.
If this is the first cockatiel that you have owned it is a good idea to purchase only one bird. Many people think that a single bird will be lonely and unhappy if it is kept in a cage by itself but I believe based on my many years of experience owning cockatiels, a single bird will bond with a human better if it is kept single. They will look to you for love and attention.
When choosing a cockatiel, a hand fed baby is the best choice. This bird has been cared for by humans and has no fear of them. Since it has been handled by humans from the begining it is much tamer and friendlier. Observe the birds closely and take your time when you choose your bird. They are all different and each one has a different personality. Once you have made a choice, it is time to take your new pet home.
When you arrive at home place the bird in his new home and give him some time to adjust. He may seem a little withdrawn and upset at first but in a day or two he will be that friendly, happy bird that you chose at the pet store.
Feeding
Fill the feed and water dishes each morning. Offer some fruit or vegetables in the separate dish you have for this purpose. Give about three tablespoons of cockatiel seed. A vitamin supplement can be added but is not necessary as long as a wide variety of food is offered.
Cleaning and Care
The bottom of the cage floor should be covered with newspaper and changed at the end of each day. The cage should be cleaned and disinfected once a week by washing with a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach and a gallon of water.
Rinse very throughly and then rinse again. It is very important to make sure that the bleach has been thoroughly rinsed off. Dry with a towel.
Training
A cockatiel can be trained to talk but it takes a great amount of patience.There are audio tapes available which can help in the training process but it will still require a great amount of patience. If you do want to teach your cockatiel to talk begin by choosing a single word that you want to teach to your bird. Choose a time each day that you will use for training. This should be a time when it is quiet and there is very few distractions. Softy repeat the word over and over to the bird. It will take time but eventually he may say it. Don't give up, keep trying. It takes alot of time to hear that first word. The second word you teach will probably be easier.
Additional Resources:
Internet
1.)http://www.cockatiels.org
2.)http://www.cockatiel.com
3.)http://theaviary.com
Books
Amazon.com
1.) The Cockatiel Handbook by: Matthew M. Vriends & Michele Earle-Bridges
2.) Guide To Owning A Cockatiel - Ailments, Breeding, History, Feeding, Accomodations by: Anmarie Barrie
3.) The Cockatiel- An Owners Guide To A Happy Healthy Pet by: Julie Rach
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