Copyright 2007 Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
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ARTICLE
| PAGE 2 - Continued Breeding Cockatiels are hardy aviary breeders and unlike many of the larger parrots, cockatiels mature early and can produce successive clutches and many generations of young. Full maturity is usually reached by 12 to 18 months, and care should be taken not to allow pairs to raise more than two nests, or ten chicks, per season. Pairs should then be awarded a long rest in a holding flight. Cockatiels can breed for many years although older hens should be retired since their risk to egg-binding dramatically increases. Wherever purchasing a cockatiel, select one that wears a closed, aluminum, coded leg band. Closed, seamless leg bands are traceable if they carry the initials from the national specialty society they are from and the bird can be traced back to the breeder. Most breeders who produce quality companion birds for the pet trade in many instances will close band the birds they wholesale or retail. Color Mutations Today, cockatiels come in an ever-growing plethora of color mutations. The original wild-type cockatiel, the Normal Grey, is dominant to most colors. Newer co-dominant mutations include the UK Dominant Silver and the American Dominant Yellow-cheek. Sex-linked recessive varieties include the Lutino, Cinnamon, Pearl, and German Yellow- cheek. Autosomal recessive colors are more numerous and include the Pied, Fallow, Silver, Pastelface (Pastel), a possible Goldcheek or Recessive Yellowcheek form, and the new Suffused Silvers. Some mutations are unavailable due to their rarity or priced prohibitively until more are produced and prices correspondingly drop. Nutrition Over the past two decades advances in avian nutrition based on cockatiel research studies, coupled with increased knowledge in avian medicine, has increased the longevity records of cockatiels in captivity. Although most books previously claim the cockatiel’s lifespan is 15 years, today cockatiels are living longer, healthier lives. The author still has the first cockatiel she bred, “Joey,” born November 6, 1976, now 25 years old, plus many retired breeders in their advanced teens or early twenties living out their lives in spacious flights. Although the exception rather than the rule, some cockatiels have been known to live as long as 30 or even 40 years. On average, however, it is not unreasonable to expect a well cared for pet cockatiel to live some twenty-odd years. Some university studies have indicated that commercially prepared diets with a balanced protein and fat ratio as available in maintenance diets (or breeder diets for breeding cockatiels) are ideal. Whenever seed and pelleted or extruded diets are selected, ALWAYS read the guaranteed analysis on the back of the package to learn the minimum fat and protein ratio. Maintenance protein levels should not exceed 15 percent, and protein levels while breeding will be somewhat higher up to 22 percent. Fresh clean drinking water and cuttlefish bone for calcium should always be available. Dark green leafy vegetables such as dandelion greens (including the flower), carrots tops, collard greens, sprouts, and kale have the highest amount of carotene that is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Other green foods with moderate amounts of carotene but with other valuable nutrients include: broccoli, mustard greens, Swiss chard, chicory, beet tops, parsley, watercress, and green beans. Yellow vegetables that are excellent sources of carotene include: carrots, hot or chili peppers, and cooked yams or squash. Corn on the cob is relished and is an excellent source of fiber. Some favorite fruits include small amounts of apple, orange, banana, pomegranates, and berries in season. Whether store bought or garden grown, be certain to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Table foods that are healthy for you can also be shared in limited amounts such as scrambled or hard-boiled egg, wholewheat bread, pastas, rice, and cooked vegetables. Aviculturists often offer a corn/rice/bean diet dusted with a multiple vitamin mineral supplement to breeding birds while raising young. Never feed any item containing alcohol, sugar, chocolate, caffeine, or drugs of any kind. Variety is the spice of life! Feed a varied and healthy diet and your cockatiel companion will live long and prosper. |
| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to offer 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 to hrlp in the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF offers a wealth of information on color genetics, mutations, and breeding research. CF is addressing the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel afficionados. Please visit our unique LOST & FOUND Center to report and reunite birds with their owners! Joining the Foundation When you join the Foundation as a Member, you will receive many benefits, including the Cockatiel Chronicle and have access to the Members' Only Yahoo Group for chat, PHOTO CONTEST, Members' Articles & more! Please read about our Membership benefits and peruse the website. COME JOIN US! |
Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
| Linda S. Rubin is an aviculturist, lecturer and avian educator of 30 years, with an international byline in avicultural magazines around the world and author of several books at www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com. She is the cockatiel expert columnist for Bird Talk’s website, BirdChannel.com, writes as an overseas columnist for Cage & Aviary Birds (United kingdom), and she serves on the board of directors as National Specialty Vice President for the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. She is the founding president and genetics consultant of the Cockatiel Foundation, Inc. Linda is a certified panel judge for the Cockatiel Foundation, and the Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors, judging shows throughout the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada since 1984. |
| CHARMED BY COCKATIELS America continues its love affair with this elegant, captivating, and ideal companion parrot whose magnetic appeal and popularity continue to soar. © 2003 LINDA S. RUBIN Originally published in December 2001 issue of BIRD TALK magazine "All Rights Reserved" |