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Nutrition and Hygiene
DISCLAMER I'm not a Veterinarian nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. This is my own observations from my own flock in raising some 40 plus cocaktiels and should be used as guidance for you in your own research in caring for your bird.
Like humans, cockatiels need a well balanced diet to maintain good health. I always provide my birds with constant fresh water and seeds, changed at least twice a day. If I notice droppings or food particles in the water I change it again.
Daily my birds receive at minimum of one plate of human food which will be discussed further down the page.
Seeds
My birds get the finest seeds available and not the ones you get from the grocery store, and pet stores not specializing in birds. Grocery stores and pet stores that do not specialize in birds, sell bird seeds which contain dyes (coloring), preservatives and other nasties you would not eat, so why feed it to a small little bird? Sometimes these stores pet foods have been gnawed on by mice and rats (observe the package and see if it is tattered or has small punctures which are an indication of rodents). When looking for seeds and pellets read the package and make sure it’s for Cockatiels or small hookbills.
I use the following seeds for my flock from My Parrot Food, product name Sleek and Sassy, doing business as Wildwood Seed Company:
Look at the packaging and ensure your bird’s seed diet contains the following regardless of manufacturer: Grass Seeds, Oil Seeds, Whole Grain, Legumes, Fruits and Vegetables.
Grass Seeds are generally valued nutritionally for their easily digestible carbohydrates, protein, soluble fiber (which helps promote a healthy digestive tract), natural enzyme activity and some vitamins and minerals.
White and Red Proso Millet is an excellent source of easily digestible carbohydrates, protein, some B-complex vitamins, particularly Niacin, minerals, and are low in fat.
Canary Grass Seed is another good source of carbohydrates and is high in protein, soluble fiber and is low in fat. Whole Grains are generally valued nutritionally for their high protein content, carbohydrates, high soluble fiber, natural enzyme activity, some vitamins, minerals, and are low in fat.
Oat Groats (hulled oats) are high in protein, carbohydrates, low in fat and especially high in soluble fiber. Oat Groats are a good source of B-complex vitamins, vitamin E and is a very good source of Calcium, Phosphorus and Potassium as well as the trace minerals Copper, Iron, Manganese and Zinc.
Whole Wheat (including the wheat germ) is a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, is low in fat with some B-complex vitamins, particularly Niacin, vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Selenium.
Buckwheat (technically a fruit not a grain) is high in complex carbohydrates, protein, soluble fiber, some B-complex vitamins, particularly, Niacin, vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc and Selenium.
Oil Seeds are generally valued nutritionally for their protein, natural enzyme activity and essential mono & polyunsaturated fatty acids (which help promote healthy skin and feathers and are necessary for the assimilation of fat soluble vitamins A, E, D & K). Many Oil Seeds contain a fair amount of vitamins and are loaded with macro and trace minerals.
Rape Seed (Canola, a trademarked product of Canada) is high in protein and very high in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly in the essential Omega-3 fatty acid (linoleic acid).
Flax Seed (linseed) is high in protein, soluble fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids. Flax is particularly rich in Omega-3 (linoleic acid) as well as some Bcomplex and E vitamins and is a great source of Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.
Safflower is high in protein and essential unsaturated fatty acids. Safflower is a good source of most of the B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese. Safflower also has a good profile of all the essential amino acids.
Sunflower is loaded with protein, very high in unsaturated fatty acids, is rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium with appreciable amounts of vitamins C & E plus has an excellent profile of all the essential amino acids.
Pumpkin (Squash) Seed is also loaded with protein, unsaturated fatty acids, particularly, Omega-3 (linoleic acid). Pumpkin(Squash) is a great source of vitamin A, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Manganese with appreciable amounts of vitamin C & E, Calcium, Copper, Selenium, and has a great amino acid profile.
Legumes (Peanuts, Beans, and Peas) are generally valued nutritionally for their high protein, natural enzyme activity, both soluble and insoluble fiber (insoluble fiber is thought to slow down the metabolism of some carbohydrates which is beneficial in regulating blood sugar levels), B-complex vitamins, particularly Folic Acid, minerals plus all the essential amino acids.
Sweet Garden Peas are loaded with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A, C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc and has appreciable amounts of B-complex & E vitamins plus all the essential amino acids.
Fruits are generally valued nutritionally for their high natural enzyme activity, easily digestible carbohydrates (Fructose), vitamins, minerals and are very low in fat. Apples are extremely rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, very low in fat with appreciable amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, Calcium and Potassium. Pineapple is rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, very low in fat with appreciable amounts of vitamins A, C and E, Calcium, Potassium, and particularly rich in the trace mineral Manganese. Papaya is also a very rich source of carbohydrates and is very low in fat. Papaya is a strong source of vitamins A, C and E as well as Calcium and Potassium.
Vegetables, particularly uncooked vegetables, are generally valued nutritionally for their high natural enzyme activity, nearly all vitamins, minerals, the essential amino acids and are very low in fat. Carrots contribute carbohydrates, B-complex vitamins, particularly Niacin. They are extremely rich in vitamin A plus vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium and Sodium with appreciable amounts of the essential amino acids.
Sweet Potatoes have carbohydrates, B-complex & C vitamins and are very rich in vitamin A with appreciable amounts of the essential amino acids. Spinach is loaded with protein, vitamins A, C, E, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc and has an excellent profile of all the essential amino acids (Popeye was right!).
Minerals
Mr. Patch and Peaches always have a mineral block or calcium block or two to gnaw on.
Millet Spray
I purchase this from Wildwood Seed Company in a 2 or 5 lbs variety. Some pet stores you can buy these loose, do not obtain millet from a grocery store.
Pellets
My birds love Zupreem’s Avian Maintenance Fruit Blend Flavor diet for cockatiels, another excellent source and resource is Roudybush
Human Foods
Daily Peaches and Mr. Patch and the family receive a mixture of human foods, (remember to remove after about 2.5 to 3 hours) to include but not limited too.
Angel Hair Pasta (cooked), American Cheeze, Broccoli, Spinach, Celery Leaf, Corn and Sweet Peas (if not off the cob, then frozen (thawed) vs. canned), Sugar Peas, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots (shaved), Carrot Tops (green), Sweet Potatoes, Apples (remove all seeds), Oranges, Pineapple, Kiwi, Mango, Berries (Straw, Blue, Rasp), Hard Boiled or Scrambled Eggs and Popcorn (hold the butter and salt).
They love my homemade Chicken Noodle & Split Pea Soups, Cooked Chicken I usually buy a Rotisserie, Turkey, Baked or BBQ Pork Ribs (without bbq sauce) Macaroni and Cheeze, Steak and Cheeseburgers (hold the mayo, ketchup, mustard and onion). All the foods are cut into smaller portions, with the fruits the skin is removed, the ribs they will debone, just remember no sauce.
***TOXIC*** DO NOT FEED YOUR BIRD ***TOXIC***
Apple Seeds, Alcohol, Avocado, Caffeine (Coffee, Soda and Tea), Chocolate, Candy, Milk, Onions, Tomato Leaves, or Salt. You must also take precaution with house plants, since the list is so extensive I suggest you do a Google search for “toxic houseplants for birds” or visit Exotic Pet Vet.
HYGIENE
As with us humans, hygiene is very important, half the day your bird will spend time preening (cleaning) itself, mine enjoy showering with me. Yeppers, just place them up on the shower door or shower curtain rod and bathe away. While I’m bathing they are receiving the water that’s getting splashed around and they love it. Once I’m done washing I adjust the shower flow and water temperature and bring them into the shower 1 by 1, they love it. Otherwise obtain yourself a spray bottle, add some warm water and spray away, they are so hysterical to watch as they bathe, just don’t soak them, otherwise you’ll need to towel dry them off.
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