What to feed??

[Pickle33]

Hello, I am new here and getting my lutino tiel in about a week, she is tamed and weaning and I have visited her twice. My question is what to feed her, I will obviously slowly transition her but I think they just give seeds. I looked up a chop ypu can buy as a daily maintenance and I was considering that with pellets. What are your thoughts?

 

[Lady Jane]

Welcome to AA. Can't wait to see your cockatiel. You will find healthy foods here:

Our Complete Line | Goldenfeast Direct

 

[Zara]

she is tamed and weaning

I will obviously slowly transition her

Is she weaned now? If not, is it possible to pick her up once she is weaned?

Welcome to the forum Pickle

 

[Pickle33]

I am getting her when she is 100% weaned

 

[Zara]

That´s good
Easier for you, and safer.

Try offering mashed sweet potatoes, blueberries, broccoli, snap peas and other foods like that. I hear some people buy frozen mixed veg and defrost it.

Have you heard of sprouting? My birds like sprouted lentils and mung beans. Here´s a great link: Some general info on sprouting .. thought it might be helpful | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

Here´s a great read about chop: My Chop "Recipe"

 

[iamwhoiam]

'tiels do need seed. Mine get Volkman Avian Science Super Cockatiel no sunflowers. They also get Caitec Oven Fresh Bite pellets (small). In addition, they get cooked mixed veggies and for treats Lafeber Avi-cakes and Parrot Popcorn and Avian Organics baked treats. They also get small pieces of unsalted roasted cashews every now and then.

BTW, welcome to AA and congrats on getting your 'tiel.

 

[Weelasmaree]

Welcome!
Make sure to show us some photos of your new baby once you have it in your arms!

 

[Tara81]

I feed my tiel mainly sprouts, mashed cooked veges( anything bird safe, more variety is better - kale/collard greens/peas/sweet potato/carrot/cauliflower/green beans/green peppers- I also add cooked quinoa grains), pellets(10-20%) and seeds and grains (20-50%), dehydrated veges as treats hidden in toys/foraging dishes(this isn’t necessary but is a healthy snack for them!) , and raw kale , broccoli and shredded carrot. You can feed boiled egg once a week if they are molting. Do not free feed sunflower seeds (2 per day advised max) , spinach ( high in oxalates- once a week is ok) , no junk food, no white bread , no potato(only sweet potato cooked), no celery stalks ( unless u remove stringy parts), chocolate + avocado is toxic, most fruit pits are toxic, strawberry and kiwi are safe with their very tiny seed, I don’t think grape seeds are safe so beware of seedless grapes that still have seeds. Feed fruit once every 2-3 days as high in sugar. You can offer healthy bird bread , unsalted popcorn once every 2-3 days as snacks .

Also be aware of Teflon pans( non stick pans with ptfe), food poisoning, metal toxicity( lead / zinc poisoning - costume jewelry) scented candles, popcorn machines, space heaters, hairdryers. Most of those listed have Teflon in them. Anything that smells bad might hurt them like paint fumes.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Congratulations on getting your new tiel soon! I'm so glad that he will be fully weaned. After the adjustment period, I would try to get him started eating fresh foods. In addition to fresh foods, tiels should eat seeds and pellets. My birds eat Goldenfeast Australian Blend seed mix, Roudybush pellets, a little bit of AviCakes and Nutriberries as treats, Phoenix foraging green chunks, Texas Natural Freeze Dried Chop, and sprouts. I can't wait to hear all about your little bird!

 

[Ripshod]

All my birds have Hagen Gourmet Cockatiel as a base for their diet. It's a quality mix of seed and pellets, with dried fruits and fully supplemented.
My tiel loves a chop with plenty of beans in it (Red Kidney, Pinto), plenty of brown rice, quinoa and boiled egg. Greens like spinach and brocolli go in as well as a few saf-flower seeds and hulled sunflower seeds. Carrots and sweet potato for colour. Raisins aren't so popular but I still add a few for the budgies. This is still under development - adding one new ingredient a week.
I always clip a fresh red chilli (vit A) near the chop. My tiel loves it. He also drinks camomile tea for the last two hours each day.
Don't throw too much at her at once. Get a list of what she's already eating from the breeder and use that as your starting point. Add new ingredients gradually, maybe one or two new things a week.

 

[Ripshod]

@Pickle33 Just to add, so you're aware. Sometimes the move to a new cage with a new human in a new house will stop a young bird from eating for a while. Don't get overly worried about this but feel free to post about it on this forum.
Also would it be possible for you to spend some time with her at the breeder's, so she gets to know you as a 'friendly' face? If you can establish a good relationship now the move will be a whole lot easier for her.