Copyright 2007 The Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
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| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to address all areas of cockatiel culture. The Foundation offers its members programs for pet owners, breeders and exhibitors, in addition to services never before addressed in the cockatiel community. CF is establishing a Cockatiel Adoption & Placement Program necessary for the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF address the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel aviculturists. Additional special interest programs include: Companion Care Nutrition Avian Medicine Hobby Breeding Professional Breeding Color Mutations Genetics Exhibition and more ... The Cockatiel Foundation serves all cockatiel owners needs - from breeders, exhibitors, and pet companion bird owners - to cockatiel adoption, placement and youth education for tomorrows cockatiel afficianados. Please read our Membership benefits and peruse the website. When you join as a CF Member, you will have access to the Members' Only Area. COME JOIN US! |
| Aviculturists have been accustomed to working with cockatiels in captivity for many decades as their "bread and butter" birds, offering hand-fed tame babies, breeding pairs, and top exhibition stock for sale, all of which has led to an increased popularity of the species over time. Today, the cockatiel is the number two pet bird in over 6 million US households (Author's note: today the cockatiel is the #1 pet bird in over 6 million US households). Interestingly, not everyone who attempts to raise cockatiels can successfully reproduce them and newcomers especially have difficulty. What is responsible for the cockatiels continued popularity ranges from new breeding techniques learned over the years, to the dramatic appearance of fascinating new color mutations which has sparked a collective interest in both newcomers and seasoned breeders alike. Husbandry techniques gathered from avian research studies have benefited cockatiel breeders by directly improving their breeding studs or increasing their rate of reproduction. In addition, newer manufactured products ranging from prepared hand-feeding formulas suitable to the cockatiels' sensitive digestive system, to brooders and other equipment, have been of tremendous aid to breeding success. Rarer color mutations such as the Yellow-cheek, Pastel-face, Dominant Silvers, and the new Suffusions and their myriad combinations are impacting Cockatiel circles both on and off the show-bench at a challenging rate. The formerly known 'rares' of yesterday are now increasingly spotted at bird fairs, formally inscribed within show classifications, and currently rooted throughout classified advertisements, with a new list of contemporary mutations that continue to escalate. No longer are breeders confined to a world of a few simple sex-linked or autosomal recessive mutations. Now, the art of producing and combining such color combinations requires deliberate forethought and planning, and a better understanding of color genetics and color pigmentation to properly identify and classify new colors. Most breeders have their own preferences or favorite foods that they provide for their flock. However, today, a number of manufacturers have increased their product lines to include brands suited for cockatiels based on their own nutritional research studies. Many breeders are also aware that cockatiels live longer on a low-fat diet and therefore offer a basic diet that keep fats to a minimum. Feed: Obtain a high grade, well-cleaned cockatiel mix that contains canary seed, and white millet, with a variety of other seeds in moderation, and fortified with additional vitamins and minerals. Select a brand that is low in fat for resting birds, preferably near 4-5% fat. Breedingpairs, however, need to be offered a diet higher in both fat and protein content for the required nutrients to form eggs, develop embryos, and nourish chicks as they grow. If available, it may be preferable to select a pelleted or extruded diet instead of seed. Pelleted products are an excellent, optimum method of feeding for both breeding and resting birds. Each pellet contains complete nutrients, there are no seed husks remaining, and pellets and extruded diets are thought to be the most nutritionally complete diets as "best known at this time." (Update: Never feed solely pellets or extruded diets alone; include seeds and fresh veggies as well). It is important to introduce pellets according to the manufacturer's directions, as instructions do vary. There are two methods that are the most common. The first method of converting cockatiels to a pelleted or extruded diet involves mixing the pellets 50/50 with the existing seed mix, and increasing the amount of pellets over the next two weeks until only pellets remain. The second method is to offer only the pellets during the day, but replacing the seed in the evening for birds to feed so they won't go to sleep hungry. Each day the pellets are offered in this manner (some instructions do vary). It is important in both instances, however, to keep a close eye on birds so that they do not starve to death. Cockatiels are stubborn birds and creatures of habit and will often times literally starve to death rather than attempt something new or unfamiliar. Therefore, use common sense, monitor birds (ideally weigh them each morning) to see they are not losing too much weight in the process. If necessary, return to the bird's normal food and try again another time once weight has stabilized. Another point to be aware of when feeding pelleted or extruded diets is the change in the color of the birds' droppings. Also, because there is little moisture in the pellets, birds tend to drink more water than if on an otherwise all-seed diet. One initial research study at a well-known university found that breeding cockatiels flourished with a pellet containing 20% protein, producing healthy, robust chicks. It was also learned that resting cockatiels required a lower protein level e.g., 15% when not breeding, as too high a protein level could cause damage to certain organs. Millet Spray, Seed Treats: All cockatiels adore spray millet and the author feeds it to breeders and young daily, and resting birds each week. Millet spray is especially tempting to sick birds that often won't eat anything else, and it is a great advantage when weaning youngchicks onto hard seed, pellets, or other foods. Spray millet is especially useful for new birds who, when acquired as pets, are often too frightened to move for three days, let alone eat! Just hang a spray within easy reach for positive results. There are also many other treat typefoods on the market that can be fed in moderation. If such foods are packing on extra weight,cut back until birds are back to normal. Vitamins and Minerals: If one chooses not to feed fortified products, vitamins should be added to the diet. During the breeding season, a daily offering of soft food such as a cooked corn/rice/bean mix, or egg food (provided it is replaced or removed after several hours), should be lightly salted with a powdered avian multi-vitamin/mineral supplement containing vitamins A and D3. Breeders require vitamins on a daily basis and resting birds several times each week. Cuttlebone or mineral block, a vital source of calcium for both resting and egg-laying birds, must also be provided. Breeders also sometimes provide soluble oyster shell, or chicken egg shells roasted at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Be certain to wash the shells before baking to remove any possible Salmonella bacteria. Water: Provide clean, fresh water, on a DAILY basis, in clean, disinfected vessels. Water is vital to the metabolism of nutrients and necessary to maintain good health. Be certain to thoroughly disinfect the water vessels using only clean sanitary instruments not used for other birds. The author uses paper towels and dishwashing liquid each day to clean and rinse the vessels; and replaces all vessels every week with an alternate clean set while used vessels are scrubbed, disinfected, then run through the dishwasher and stored for future use. Interestingly, a research study entitled Cockatiel Research at the University of California at Davis (Roudybush, 1985) found that fledgling cockatiels required the provision of water in order to be successfully weaned, otherwise weaning was delayed. Fresh Produce: A variety of fresh vegetables should be offered two to three times per week minimum, and daily to breeding, weaning, and young birds to keep them trained in the habit of eating a variety of produce. Dark green, leafy vegetables supply necessary carotene (converted by the liver into vitamin A) for example: dandelion greens (and flower), collard greens, carrot tops, and kale, rank highest in vitamin A. Other vegetables containing a variety of vitamins and minerals include: broccoli, mustard greens, fresh peas, string beans, chicory, parsley, and watercress, are all favored. Lettuce and the cabbage family contain little food value and are next to useless. Yellow/orange vegetables high in carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) include: raw carrots, and cooked vegetables such as yams, squash, sweet potato, and pumpkin. In a pinch frozen vegetables (e.g., corn, peas, carrots, and beans), can be served cooked. As with other parrots, avoid avocado and eggplant which are toxic. Fresh fruit, such as apple, orange, cut grapes, banana, and especially berries in season such as cranberries and blueberries, and pomegranates, etc. are well accepted provided birds are exposed to all these foods while young. Cherry pits are toxic and should never be fed. Cockatiels, unlike other members of the parrot family are not big fruit eaters, instead preferring fresh greens and other vegetables. Yet, fruit can become an additional part of the diet if birds are patiently trained to eat them while young. Table Foods: Breeders with smaller collections or just a few birds may be able to provide some occasional table foods. Simple carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables, or complex carbohydrates if fed in moderation including: pastas, noodles, macaroni, brown rice, spaghetti, etc. are good when offered without the sauce. Whole grain foods such as oatmeal, sugarless cereals, pancakes, and similar breakfast foods are all good. Proteins such as cheese, scrambled or 20-minute hard-boiled eggs, small pieces of well cooked chicken or meat, can all boost the diet. As a rule of thumb, think of your cockatiel as a health food nut, never offer foods containing high fats, sugar, chocolate (it's toxic to birds), alcohol, or caffeine, all of which can cause harm or toxicity. Cockatiels must be exposed to dietary items on a regular basis to develop good eating habits. This means feeding such foods from as early an age as possible and never giving up until your bird(s) accept these foods. In time, they will. Never give up! Breeding/Environmental Conditions: Breeding Cockatiels require ... continued in next issue of the Cockatiel Chronicle. Don't miss out, join now by mail or easily online. |
ABSTRACT
C. 2005 Linda S. Rubin
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
BREEDING HUSBANDRY
Copyright 2007 Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
| Cockatiel Husbandry: Breeding Programs for Y2K ~ featuring Nutritional Requirements ~ © 2000 LINDA S. RUBIN "All Rights Reserved" A Speaker Paper presented at the 2000 Canadian Parrot Symposium, Toronto, Canada |
Cockatiel Foundation Founding President Linda S. Rubin is a writer, editor, speaker and avian educator of 30 years and
author of several books, including Multiple Bird Households, Ultimate Parrot Guide and Cockatiel Genetics Made
Easy! at www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com. She has more than 200 articles published with an international byline and
penned cockatiel columns for Cage & Aviary Birds (UK), Bird Times, Cage Bird Hobbyist, UK Birdkeeper, American Cage
Bird Magazine and the AFA Watchbird; she also worked as senior editor for Seacoast Publishing’s Cockatiel & Parakeet
World magazine. Her work has appeared in Bird Talk, Birds USA, Critters USA, Pet Business and American Family & Pet
Expo – and in over a dozen international journals around the world including the Australian National Cockatiel Society,
Native Cockatiel Society of Australia, and Avicultural Society of Australia, Inc. In 1993, Linda received the prestigious
Silver AVY Award for her writing in AFA Watchbird by the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. Linda recently
contributed to BowTie’s Mega-Magazine, “Popular Cockatiels” authoring “The Colorful Side of Cockatiels: meet the
popular, the fancy, and the rare.” She writes as a columnist for Bird Talk’s online “Ask the Expert” on cockatiels,
budgerigars and Psittaculas at http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-breeders/bird-experts/linda-rubin/default.aspx
author of several books, including Multiple Bird Households, Ultimate Parrot Guide and Cockatiel Genetics Made
Easy! at www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com. She has more than 200 articles published with an international byline and
penned cockatiel columns for Cage & Aviary Birds (UK), Bird Times, Cage Bird Hobbyist, UK Birdkeeper, American Cage
Bird Magazine and the AFA Watchbird; she also worked as senior editor for Seacoast Publishing’s Cockatiel & Parakeet
World magazine. Her work has appeared in Bird Talk, Birds USA, Critters USA, Pet Business and American Family & Pet
Expo – and in over a dozen international journals around the world including the Australian National Cockatiel Society,
Native Cockatiel Society of Australia, and Avicultural Society of Australia, Inc. In 1993, Linda received the prestigious
Silver AVY Award for her writing in AFA Watchbird by the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. Linda recently
contributed to BowTie’s Mega-Magazine, “Popular Cockatiels” authoring “The Colorful Side of Cockatiels: meet the
popular, the fancy, and the rare.” She writes as a columnist for Bird Talk’s online “Ask the Expert” on cockatiels,
budgerigars and Psittaculas at http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-breeders/bird-experts/linda-rubin/default.aspx
To read the rest of this article, JOIN NOW and receive the CF Cockatiel Chronicle so you can read about: ~ Breeding Environment and Conditions ~ Pair Bonding ~ Breeding Pens and Nestboxes ~ The Breeding Cycle ~ and Mutations |
c. 2007 Jane Gillespie, Canada
Founded June 3, 2007
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