Any Cockatiel Owners? Help Please. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

jrsygal37 · 12-13-2008, 08:02 PM

Hi. I was wondering if there are any knowledgable Cockatiel owners out there? Short of a long story is that my parents who are 80 and 81 yrs. old are both in hospitals right now. My mom has Alzeihmer's and well my dad just could not cope anymore and it's a little embarrassing to admit but he tried to hang himself the other night. He's now been admitted into a psych. hospital and my mom is now in a nursing home. I brought Matilda (Their Cockatiel) to my home. She is a female and she is approx. 12 yrs. old. She was a hand fed baby but she was not been handled a lot. She is loving but skiddish and I do believe over a short amount of time she'll want to be cuddled etc. Her nails are very very long and I need to trim them. They had her eating some kind of cockatiel mix they buy at Walmart. They loved her but due to age and health I do believe she was neglected.

I have a Cockatoo that I've had from a hand fed baby (Boo is now 4 yrs. old) I feed her veggies, fruit, beans etc. and a dry mix of pellets, seed, fruit and laborers. I'd like to try and put Matilda on a healthier mix and I'd also like to buy her a bigger cage and give her some tree branches to climb and peel. I'm worried about her at such an old age not adjusting.

Any suggestions from you experienced Cockatiel owners, such as what they love etc. would be great. Also, can you tell me how long they live?

This is all so upsetting to me. Less then two weeks before Xmas, and I have my mom in one place, my dad in another and to boot my husband is having surgery this Tuesday at another hospital and will be in there for a few days then home for a long recoup. I feel so depressed. I have not even told my boys yet or even know what to tell them about their grandparents.

Thanks for any info. you can give on the Cockatiel. I'm going to google too but thought experience is the best.

Elaine

4doggiemama · 12-13-2008, 08:16 PM

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

Patti · 12-13-2008, 08:17 PM

I am so sorry you are dealing with so much. I lost my Mom almost 2 years ago and she was taking care of my 89 year old Dad who has dementia and multiple health issues, so now I am taking care of him and it can be overwhelming at times. I can see where your Dad would get so desperate. I will keep you all in my prayers. Just try and take one day at a time. Hope your husband's surgery goes well.
My girlfriend has had cockatiels for many years and her last one is 18 years old. I believe they can live 20 plus years. Maybe you could introduce some healthy treats to his diet and switch him to a better food. I know they like sunflower seeds.

RoxyJosMom · 12-13-2008, 09:58 PM

First, my prayers are with you and your family. I can't imagine the stress you must be under. As for your new little family member, there are many sites and forums for cockatiel owners with a wealth of info. I have 2, a sweet little female and a totally hysterical male who talks to his foot like it's a hand puppet. They will eat whatever people eat and love it(at least mine do). Like dogs, tho, there are a few things that are bad(avacado, chocolate, alcohol and a few other things). I keep a supply of cockatiel seed(bought in bulk at the grocery store, not the fancy kind in the box - they don't like that) and add parakeet seed and more sunflower seeds to it. I tried to switch to pellets, but they wouldn't touch them. From what I have been able to find, the average lifespan is 12 to 15 yrs, but some can live up to 30 yrs. My 2 are both going on 8, but not related. The males are usually the talkers. Cosmo can say 60+ words, phrases and songs(altho he's gotten the songs all mingled with each other so they are just his own creations now

). They are alot of fun(except during molting season

) and with patience, your little one should start responding to you. Juju was a gift to my dtr from a girl who worked nites and slept days so there were many days she didn't even get uncovered. She came from a breeder and is banded. She, too, was very skittish when we got her, but now she loves to have me groom her head feathers, since Cosmo is a typical male and is too concerned with flirting and talking to himself in the mirror to do it for her. But she will do his. Good luck and check out some of the sites. They have been a big help to me.

omega · 12-14-2008, 03:46 PM

Gosh, I am so sorry about all this stuff going on in your life. Your poor dad. It makes me want to cry. You certainly don't need to feel embarassed about him. What a hard thing to go through at that age.... so many changes.

I feed my tiels Pretty Bird pellets with some seed mixed in. The also love veggies, some fruit, POPCORN and all sorts of different little tidbits. Yes, they can adjust even if they are older.

I got one of my tiels when she was 12... she is now 22.

She adjusted just fine. I'm sure a larger cage would be welcome... the more room the better for birds. The saying goes... buy a cage as large as you have room for and spend as much as you can afford. For tiels, you probably know, the very tall cages are not appropriate... they need to be more square shaped. A larger cage just has more room for toys and things to keep them occupied and for exercise.

If you change her cage, you might want to introduce her to it slowly... put her in it for a short period of time each day and as she seems more comfy in it, do away with the old one. Put some millet or minced up apple or some other goodies in there so she has a reason to like being in it.

Like I said, one of mine is right around 22 - not exactly sure - but they say they have an average life span up to 20 years in captivity.

Hope this helps and I hope your h's surgery goes well and he heals up more quickly than expected. Take a few deep breaths... don't forget to take a few minutes every day just for YOU.

12-13-2008, 08:02 PM	#1
jrsygal37 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,370	Any Cockatiel Owners? Help Please. Hi. I was wondering if there are any knowledgable Cockatiel owners out there? Short of a long story is that my parents who are 80 and 81 yrs. old are both in hospitals right now. My mom has Alzeihmer's and well my dad just could not cope anymore and it's a little embarrassing to admit but he tried to hang himself the other night. He's now been admitted into a psych. hospital and my mom is now in a nursing home. I brought Matilda (Their Cockatiel) to my home. She is a female and she is approx. 12 yrs. old. She was a hand fed baby but she was not been handled a lot. She is loving but skiddish and I do believe over a short amount of time she'll want to be cuddled etc. Her nails are very very long and I need to trim them. They had her eating some kind of cockatiel mix they buy at Walmart. They loved her but due to age and health I do believe she was neglected. I have a Cockatoo that I've had from a hand fed baby (Boo is now 4 yrs. old) I feed her veggies, fruit, beans etc. and a dry mix of pellets, seed, fruit and laborers. I'd like to try and put Matilda on a healthier mix and I'd also like to buy her a bigger cage and give her some tree branches to climb and peel. I'm worried about her at such an old age not adjusting. Any suggestions from you experienced Cockatiel owners, such as what they love etc. would be great. Also, can you tell me how long they live? This is all so upsetting to me. Less then two weeks before Xmas, and I have my mom in one place, my dad in another and to boot my husband is having surgery this Tuesday at another hospital and will be in there for a few days then home for a long recoup. I feel so depressed. I have not even told my boys yet or even know what to tell them about their grandparents. Thanks for any info. you can give on the Cockatiel. I'm going to google too but thought experience is the best. Elaine

12-13-2008, 08:16 PM	#2
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	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 __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

12-13-2008, 08:17 PM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I am so sorry you are dealing with so much. I lost my Mom almost 2 years ago and she was taking care of my 89 year old Dad who has dementia and multiple health issues, so now I am taking care of him and it can be overwhelming at times. I can see where your Dad would get so desperate. I will keep you all in my prayers. Just try and take one day at a time. Hope your husband's surgery goes well. My girlfriend has had cockatiels for many years and her last one is 18 years old. I believe they can live 20 plus years. Maybe you could introduce some healthy treats to his diet and switch him to a better food. I know they like sunflower seeds. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

12-13-2008, 09:58 PM	#4
RoxyJosMom Love The Verminator! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ny Posts: 4,282	First, my prayers are with you and your family. I can't imagine the stress you must be under. As for your new little family member, there are many sites and forums for cockatiel owners with a wealth of info. I have 2, a sweet little female and a totally hysterical male who talks to his foot like it's a hand puppet. They will eat whatever people eat and love it(at least mine do). Like dogs, tho, there are a few things that are bad(avacado, chocolate, alcohol and a few other things). I keep a supply of cockatiel seed(bought in bulk at the grocery store, not the fancy kind in the box - they don't like that) and add parakeet seed and more sunflower seeds to it. I tried to switch to pellets, but they wouldn't touch them. From what I have been able to find, the average lifespan is 12 to 15 yrs, but some can live up to 30 yrs. My 2 are both going on 8, but not related. The males are usually the talkers. Cosmo can say 60+ words, phrases and songs(altho he's gotten the songs all mingled with each other so they are just his own creations now). They are alot of fun(except during molting season) and with patience, your little one should start responding to you. Juju was a gift to my dtr from a girl who worked nites and slept days so there were many days she didn't even get uncovered. She came from a breeder and is banded. She, too, was very skittish when we got her, but now she loves to have me groom her head feathers, since Cosmo is a typical male and is too concerned with flirting and talking to himself in the mirror to do it for her. But she will do his. Good luck and check out some of the sites. They have been a big help to me. __________________ Roxy loves Alphy Remi loves Millie [COLOR="Purple"]Mom to RoxyJo & Remington , Fozzy Bear & Chloe

12-14-2008, 03:46 PM	#5
omega Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: MN Posts: 7,575	Gosh, I am so sorry about all this stuff going on in your life. Your poor dad. It makes me want to cry. You certainly don't need to feel embarassed about him. What a hard thing to go through at that age.... so many changes. I feed my tiels Pretty Bird pellets with some seed mixed in. The also love veggies, some fruit, POPCORN and all sorts of different little tidbits. Yes, they can adjust even if they are older. I got one of my tiels when she was 12... she is now 22. She adjusted just fine. I'm sure a larger cage would be welcome... the more room the better for birds. The saying goes... buy a cage as large as you have room for and spend as much as you can afford. For tiels, you probably know, the very tall cages are not appropriate... they need to be more square shaped. A larger cage just has more room for toys and things to keep them occupied and for exercise. If you change her cage, you might want to introduce her to it slowly... put her in it for a short period of time each day and as she seems more comfy in it, do away with the old one. Put some millet or minced up apple or some other goodies in there so she has a reason to like being in it. Like I said, one of mine is right around 22 - not exactly sure - but they say they have an average life span up to 20 years in captivity. Hope this helps and I hope your h's surgery goes well and he heals up more quickly than expected. Take a few deep breaths... don't forget to take a few minutes every day just for YOU.