Originally from Australia, the cockatiel is a bird that has become popular around the world due to its docile and friendly temperament. Quite affectionate and independent, birds of this species love to be close to their tutors, which makes them excellent companions and great pets!
However, it is necessary to take some precautions regarding the feeding of this bird. The important thing is to maintain a balanced diet, without exaggeration and with a little of everything on the menu: fruits, seeds and feed. Thus, your cockatiel will develop healthier and happier.
Before starting to follow a diet, it is strongly recommended to consult a veterinarian specialized in birds. He will be able to define the ideal amount of food to be offered to the cockatiel throughout the day, as well as the most suitable foods for his pet.
Discover below some food tips that you can add to your cockatiel's food routine – and also the foods you should avoid at all costs!
Seeds
Anyone who has or has had a bird at home knows that this is one of the easiest foods to find for our winged pets. Nutritious, the seeds are very caloric and have a high protein content, offering your pet the necessary energy throughout the day!
Usually, four types of seeds are indicated for cockatiels, which should be served mixed. They are millet, birdseed, oat and sunflower. You must mix them according to the following percentage: 50% millet, 20% birdseed, 10% oat and 10% sunflower. It is still possible to find this mixture ready in pet stores.
Redouble your attention when serving the seeds to your pet! Regularly check the hygiene of the tray where food is placed. Seeds tend to accumulate moisture, which can attract bacteria and fungi. To prevent this from happening, keep it dry and clean it frequently using soap and water.
Fruits
Although seeds are sources of protein and carbohydrates, a diet made only with this food is not nutritious enough for the cockatiel. It is therefore necessary to add fruit to the pet's diet. In addition to pleasing your bird's taste, they are sources of vitamins and minerals, great for your pet to lead a healthy life.
Among the fruits that you can include in the diet are papaya, bananas, peaches, apples, guava, strawberries, watermelon, pears, melons and mangoes. You can serve them shell and all. But be careful! Fruits like avocado should be avoided, due to the high fat content in their composition. Also, pay attention to the seeds present in the fruits! Some may contain a high concentration of cyanide, such as apples.
Portion
Feeds are a quick and practical alternative to feed your cockatiel. Produced on an industrial scale, they are specially designed for the special biological needs of these birds, and there are even rations made to improve feather exchange or reproduction.
You can find two types of feed: pelleted and extruded. The first is produced by means of a steam and compression treatment, which improves its conservation. The second is made with mixed ingredients and exposed to a high temperature. Then they are cut into small pieces in order to facilitate ingestion and digestion by the animals.
If you want to change the feed, you should do it gradually in your bird's diet, as it will need a period to adapt to the new food. It is possible, at first, to mix the new food with the seeds that your bird is used to eating. Over time, you should increase the amount of feed and reduce the amount of seed. As some birds take longer to adapt to a change in eating habits, you will need to have some patience throughout this process.
Water
Always remember to check that your cockatiel's water container is always full of filtered water. Try to fill it periodically, according to the animal's thirst. Also, check his hygiene conditions! Daily cleaning is recommended, as impurities and food remnants can end up contaminating your pet's water.
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What to avoid
Although cockatiels have a very comprehensive diet, it is necessary to be careful with certain foods. Among them are the aforementioned avocado, added to chocolate, uncooked beans, onions, garlic, honey, mushrooms and salt.
Do not offer sweets or spicy foods. Always remember that people's food is people's food! It may seem harmless to serve your pet a piece of candy every now and then, but doing so can cause serious health problems.
