§ ro :'< c o"' >, .0 o <5 .<:: WHITE-BREASTED Q. NORMAL COLORS

~ Herschel Frey

1170 Firwood Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15243 (412) 561-7194

Cockatiels by Dale David DeWald Silver Spring, Maryland ©Copyright 1986

The Ultimate Nesting Boxes Fast flying and long-lived, Australian ities vary more by individual than by Weatherproof I Chewproof with a 10 year guarantee cockatiels have become world-wide color; however, a mean cockatiel is very • Made of safe nontoxic high grade poly­ favorites. Almost every cockatiel sold in rare indeed. They can be obtained ethylene • Rounded barrel type shape with a re­ the United States has been raised in cap­ rather inexpensively from pet shops and movable door for easy access to the tivity, but the demand is so great that private breeders. Cockatiels are so babies many of these fine are imported popular that two nationwide societies • Easily disinfected and completely WASHABLE from breeders in other countries. Cock­ are dedicated to keeping, improving, • No cold or hot tin or steel atiels are social birds that also require and showing these birds: the ational • No wood for harmful bacteria to grow quiet times. They are easy to tame and Cockatiel Society and the American • Can be hung from outside or inside the flight using strips of cage material wire will enjoy a few hours Out oftheir cage Cockatiel Society. due to its light weight without any other with their master each day. In general support they are not great talkers, but most can Cage Available in two sizes small for cockatiel to large Conures. Large Macaw size 20 X 36 be taught a few simple whistles and The cage size should be large enough to Small Large Large many are very good talkers. If you do allow each cockatiel to fully stretch its Macaw Proof Proof not train your pet as a companion wings without having any feathers $6.95 each $32.50 $42.50 , please procure a second to touch its cage. Square-type cages with ShIpped by UPS to your door meet the social requirements of these horizontal non-toxic metal bars are best Southern Bird Farm avian delights. so that the can climb about with P.O. Box 49991 Sarasota, FL 33578 These birds come in color varieties ease. Other good cage features should or phone (813) 957·7838 such as lutino (a yellowish white) as include: a slide-out bottom tray that Quantity Discounts Available well as in their normal grey. Personal- makes cleaning simple; two perches at 42 April/May 1987 different heights and of different sizes In most places, room temperature tap such as I" and 1/2" diameters; food and water is fine, but, ifin doubt, let it stand water cups that can be serviced from the for a full day or boil and cool it first. outside of the cage; and, a door that Bath water can be a problem. If your opens widely enough for your hand cage is large, a pie plate type of cocka­ with your bird on it to enter and exit tiel-sized bowl may prove beneficial. easily. Fortunately, many cockatiel and Bath fixtures that hang on the exterior small parrot cages are available now so of your cage usually will be accepted that your job probably will be one of over time. And, of course, the shower selection and not search! from the bathroom sink's tap works Location well although you will use a zillion The cage and your cockatiel should be gallons of water by the time your pet placed to avoid: drafts, much house­ finishes each bath. hold (people, TV, phones, etc.) noise, Supplements rapid temperature changes, constantly Gravel, sometimes called grit, should low (below 55 OF) and constantly high be available unless your pet is not (above 85 OF) temperatures, direct sun­ feeling well. A beak conditioner such as light except for one or two hours per a lava rock is advisable. Cuttlebone day, harassment from other , should be used until the bird's skin starts and toxic plants which could touch the to dry. Vitamin and mineral supple­ cage. ments are important; these come in a Safety variety ofways: already in pellet foods When your pet is out ofits cage take the of some types, as a powder to sprinkle R & L EXOTIC same precautions as you would take on the food, as a liquid or powder to with any other parrot and with the add to the drinking water, or in a BIRDS,INC. placement of its cage. Unless your mineral block. Never exceed the recom­ 11805 S.W. crity. Hwy. 484 abode is dedicated to birds, you mended amounts, but definitely do not Dunnellon, Florida 32630 probably should keep the flight, or ignore the need to supplement your pet. primary, feathers of your cockatiel's And, do not forget the behavioral needs (904) 489·6965 wings clipped. Just two fully developed ofyour cockatiel. All like to play When quality counts, flight feathers and a window invite and chew. Although cockatiels do not trouble. Cockatiels are very fast flyers. appear to be as active as many other come to us for Food parrots, at least provide a chew stick Domestic The American Federation of Avicul­ (balsa wood is readily available), and ture and others currently are supporting two other toys which you can rotate & research on bird, especially, cockatiel, from time to time. On the other hand, Imported Birds nutrition. But, actual nutritional re­ cockatiels can become confused or quirements are not completely known. injured by having too much junk in the Nevertheless, many have lived in cage at one time. Surgically Sexed Birds excess of 20 years with a daily feeding Illness or Accident of "cockatiel" mix and other seeds Identify an avian vet in your area Wholesale to Pet Stores readily available at quality pet shops. before you need one! Purchase a bird & Breeders Supplements that probably will help care book that addresses this subject. We are proud ~ our breeding ranch physically and psychologically include: Begin to worry if your cockatiel has a and whoIesaJe operation. We would like dark green vegetables such as kale, change in behavior such as sitting on to add you to our list ~ satisfied collards and spinach; unsalted, shelled the cage floor with puffed feathers for customers. Send your name. address peanuts once or twice a month; corn on long periods of time. If you can do and tax number to start receiving our cur­ the cob; whole wheat bread; canary nothing else for your sick pet, gradually rent price list - or just call. seed; and, a molting or breeding mix increase the heat and humidity (in a We ship out ~Orlando weekly. when appropriate. Yes, your pet will bathroom, for example) and be sure to Open 7 days a week by appointment. molt (lose feathers) at least once each feed and water your animal. Honey year; and, partial or frequent molts are added to the drinking water often helps SEVEN DAY LIVE not uncommon. You may wish to try to supply an energy burst when your feeding fresh fruits such as banana, cockatiel really needs one. Prevention is GUARANTEE apple, orange, and grapes, but many the key. A safe and clean environment cockatiels do not accept fruit. Spray will payoff! millet is a good treat and is useful in This introductory article cannot NEST BOXES cover all aspects of cockatiel keeping. training a cockatiel. Whatever is de­ R & L:s nest within cided on by you and your pet, please be Because they are such popular pets, you a nest design for added privacy & sure that the food is fresh and clean. should be able to find other articles in comfort Pellet-type food is becoming popular back issues ofthe Watchbird or various or cuslom built. your and may become a standard in years books about training, teaching cock­ design. call or write to come as it already has for small atiels to talk, and breeding. for specificalion mammals such as rabbits. With proper care and lots of love, sheels and prices. Water your pet cockatiel should provide years Change the drinking water every day. ofentertainment and companionship.• afa WATeRBIRD 43