Comments on: Im Worried about what my cockatiel eats?

By: wacky

wacky — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:49:30 +0000

As an ex breeder of Cockatiel’s,mine were given a good diet of Mixed Budgie seed,with an addition of Sunflower Black and white with occasional Hemp a little Groats(all these are Cockatiel food)

Also soaked sprouting seed which was the above.

Soak some of the above in warm water over-night,drain, rinse,place some-where warm till it sprouts(2-3- days)and feed this to your bird.

Also try your bird on a little Broccoli ,Kale ,Spinach and if you live in the U.K.Dandelion Leaves and Seeding heads picked before they burst(clocks),if you are near fields try some seeding grass..(never give Lettuce)

Fruit such Apple, Pear,etc.(never Avocado)twigs of Apple and Willow are also ideal.

I would never recommend Pellets as these are not natural as a bird needs to exercise it’s beak muscles and pellets are too soft.

This was my feeding regime over 40 years and having bred various mutations and Exhibited them with great success I can recommend it.

By: Jordan S

Jordan S — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:53:15 +0000

You should know that cockatiels are rarely exposed to sunflower seeds in the wild. They eat seeds and nutrient-rich grasses that happen to be growing in that particular season. Plus they fly all day so they need the fat found in seeds. Pet bird’s even those who have daily time out of the cage do not get as much flying time as wild cockatiels. So therefore your tiel should be eating more low fat foods. Seed only diets are a cockatiel nono. They are fattening and the lack in nutrients. The staple of your bird’s diet should consist of a quality pelleted food. I like roudybush and harrisons. If you can’t find one of those brands at the pet store, order it online or through your avian vet. Pellets should be supplemented with fresh fruits and veggies,seed,and whole grain cereals and bread. Feed 50% fruits and veggies and 50% pellets. Pellets in the morning and fresh foods in the evening.

By: Dave Womach

Dave Womach — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:02:44 +0000

Here is a good resource for diet and nutrition;

Sometimes it takes birds a while to adjust to trying new foods. Mixing new food and healthy foods into what they already like can help them get a taste of the other foods in the process of eating what they prefer.

Also, I give my birds the healthiest foods in the mornings (mainly greens) so that they eat it first and then follow it up with foods they more so prefer that aren’t as healthy so they still get full.

By: Kim C

Kim C — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:40:13 +0000

If your bird doesn’t like the larger seeds, there’s really nothing you can do…can’t force him to eat those. But you can always offer other things. Like, are you offering youur cockatiel pellets? You can get them at any pet shops. Besides pellets, try offering fresh veggies like chard or kale, fresh fruits like apple and grapes. They also like cooked beans or cooked brown rice/grains, no salt, no oil, or no butter please.

By: Christy A

Christy A — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:27:29 +0000

1st of all, your cockatiel should NOT be on an all seed diet. Seed and nuts are extremely fattening and causes health problems later in the birds life. It would be the equivelent of you eating nothing but potato chips every single day. Although cockatiels do need some seed in their diet, it should be limited to a No Sunflower cockatiel mix. You need to introduce your bird to a pelleted diet ie Harrison’s Bird Foods, Zupreem, etc. Harrison’s is a very good pelleted diet. You should also be feeding fresh veggies. They usually like leafy veggies like radish tops, celery tops, spinach, turnip greens. My 2 cockatiels also like peas, lima beans, bell peppers, and cilantro.
In order to switch to new foods, you will need to add it to the seeds and slowly lessen the amount of seed and add more pellets over a few weeks, unless your bird takes to the pellets right away. Your cockatiel will live a longer, healthier life.
I manage a vet clinic that specializes in birds.

By: Kim H

Kim H — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:00:06 +0000

sounds like hes just being fussy, but at least hes eating something!, ask your an avian vet what u can offer him?