getting a new cockatiel, need some advice

[stephanie]

Hi there, I am new to this board and am looking for some advice. I am going to be getting a cockatiel this weekend and am wondering before I do what are some things I should be getting to set up the cage with such as toys and what not, also what is the best food I should be getting my new baby? any other advice I should have?? I look forward to your answers.

[Sophia]

Welcome, bet you can't wait for your new cockatiel! :D

In your cage the basics are :
food
water
cuttle bone
mineral block/iodene block
toys
different sized perches(thickness)


And they are the basics! :)

Hope you enjoy it here! :p

[stephanie]

what is the best food you would recommend?

also is a larger cage better or a smaller one? i a male or female a better companion? The one I am getting is 3 months old and females I had in the past although were older, were not as friendly as the male I had

[Laura]

Hi Stephanie welcome to the forum, the larger the cage the better for them, females in my opinion are just as good as males, If your getting a hand tame cockatiel they should both be friendly alot of people say females are way more cuddlier then males are, I think it all just depends on the tiel and what your preference is I have 3 females and 1 male and there all different two of my females are not cuddly at all and one of them is super cuddly my male is a big momma's boy and quite funny but he can also get very hormonal and turn on me in a second...lol

Here is a link to pictures of cages that some of us have
http://www.talkcockatiels.com/showthread.php?t=32

[stephanie]

any certain brand food the best?

[Sophia]

Sorry, I can't help on the food part, I can't remember what the food I give mine is called, It is because I put it in a plastic container/tub.

The larger cage is better for them, gives them more room, and they won't damage their tales ect.

The males and females are the same, I have a male cockatiel, and he is very tame, cheeky, and loves a cuddle.:D

[Laura]

any certain brand food the best?

I am not sure where you are located so it would be hard for me to say what brand as different area's have different types of food any good high quality cockatiel seed would be good preferably one with not a lot of sunflower seeds in it, I also give mine pellets the zupreem kind but its up to the individual if they want to give them some do some don't :p

[xxxSpikexxx]

I would try and stick to the foods the breeder had them on. Good luck and post pics when you get him or her :)

[Aly]

A nice cage like the examples Laura posted, a good seed mix (check ingridients for the best one with the least amount of chemicals and colorings). The one I found is a brand made locally less then 10 miles away and they've liked that over name brands. Also, get some veggies from the safe list, they'll need those daily and the earlier they're introduced the better. A good veggie base which you can always add to is the frozen mixed veggies pack from your supermaket. Just be sure to check that all the veggies in there are safe. They'll need cuttle bone, some mineral block, lots of different perches such as natural wood, rope..a variety is best. Also a nice food bowl, a water bowl and a little plate from your kitchen for their fresh food. Last but not least-some toys. Be cautious on what you pick out-not all of them are exactly safe. There are so many stories out there about tiel's getting injured in their toys!
As far as the male/female..it really doesn't matter. They each have their own personalities. I have both!

[Bea]

Welcome to the forums! :D You've been given some good advice. I can't wait to see your new baby when you get him/her.