[4doggiemama]

Right now I am trying to change Duchess to a better pellet food. The store owner told me that I'd have to do it very gradually because they do not take to change in their food. Duchess doesn't like fresh fruits and veggies but I knew a teacher who feed them to her cockatiels and they loved it. I also always add vitamins to Duchess's water. She has a calcium stick to chew on.We have Duchess loose but she spends most of her time on top of her cage with an occasional flight around the room. We were also told to have different surfaces for her to sit on so that her feet wouldn't get formed to any certain surface. It is also necessary to clean her comb and feathers around the face that she can't reach. That's a dusty mess. She isn't too happy either. I am not an expert on cockatiels. Duchess is about 15 yrs. old. I've heard all sorts of life spans......20 yrs., 40 yrs., 80 yrs. Guess I should google it. Good luck with your addition. And I am so sorry for the difficulties you are having involving your aging parents. It's not fun. Hugs, Joanne