Hey all,
I currently own one cockatiel, Puck. He is a male (DNA tested) and currently 4 months old. He's a sweetheart, an absolute cuddlebug, and clearly loves being around people, getting attention and scritches. In the short time he has been here, about 2 months, we have clearly bonded. Even my boyfriend who isn't very comfortable around birds, enjoys interacting with Puck, giving him scritches, letting him groom his beard and chill on his shoulder, hand or knee.
But I do wonder if Puck is completely happy.During the days I am away at school or work, and so is my boyfriend. Which is leaving only the afternoon and evening to interact and play with Puck. Is this enough, or does he need more interaction?
I already had considered getting Puck a 'buddy' when I got him. But since tiels tend to live quite a number of years, it is important for me that they would be tame and humans-orientated. I also know it would be better to pair up tiels when they are younger.
So I have a couple of questions.
I currently own one cockatiel, Puck. He is a male (DNA tested) and currently 4 months old. He's a sweetheart, an absolute cuddlebug, and clearly loves being around people, getting attention and scritches. In the short time he has been here, about 2 months, we have clearly bonded. Even my boyfriend who isn't very comfortable around birds, enjoys interacting with Puck, giving him scritches, letting him groom his beard and chill on his shoulder, hand or knee.
But I do wonder if Puck is completely happy.During the days I am away at school or work, and so is my boyfriend. Which is leaving only the afternoon and evening to interact and play with Puck. Is this enough, or does he need more interaction?
I already had considered getting Puck a 'buddy' when I got him. But since tiels tend to live quite a number of years, it is important for me that they would be tame and humans-orientated. I also know it would be better to pair up tiels when they are younger.
So I have a couple of questions.
- Do you think I should try to find Puck a buddy to share his life with?
- I am not interested in breeding my tiel(s). If I do get another tiel, does it have to be a female or could I also look for a male?
- I am currently living in a students house, so the birds making noise can be an issue. The birds would live in my room (it is roughly 35 square meters). Is that okay for 2 birds?
- Are there any reasons for why you think I should go for a male OR female bird?
- Puck's cage is 48cm deep, 85cm wide and 97-81cm high with a rounded top from front to back. (18.9 in deep, 33.46 in wide and 38.19-31.89in high) is this big enough for 2 tiels, or should I consider looking for a new cage if I do want to get a second tiel? I would want to house them together (I am aware this does not always work out though)
- Should the bird I get (if I do get a second bird) be around the same age as Puck? Or would it be possible to get a young bird that has just left the nest and can care for itself?
- Is there anything else I should consider in deciding if I want to get a second bird?