Can I get a cockatiel?

[Birdyman]

Hey! I have been considering getting a cockatiel for a while now. I live in a spacious apartment with my siblings and mother. I am homeschooled so I will have plenty of time to take care of the bird and give it attention. I have done a lot of research on them and their diets, how they should be kept, cage sizes, etc, etc. I plan to only get one bird, and I know it will be more advisable to get another one so they can keep each other company, but I just don't think I can take care of more than one bird. Like I said before I can give it all the attention it needs, so I don't think it's that big of an issue. I can afford to get one, I just want to know if it is a good idea or not for me.


If you guys could tell me if a cockatiel is suitable for me and give me some pros and cons, I would appreciate it.

Also, (this isn't advertising) if you could look at my bird supplies list and see if it is suitable.

Birdcage:

Amazon.com : YAHEETECH 39-inch Roof Top Large Flight Parrot Bird Cage for Small Quaker Parrot Cockatiel Sun Parakeet Green Cheek Conure Budgie Finch Lovebird Canary Pet Bird Cage w/Toys : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : YAHEETECH 39-inch Roof Top Large Flight Parrot Bird Cage for Small Quaker Parrot Cockatiel Sun Parakeet Green Cheek Conure Budgie Finch Lovebird Canary Pet Bird Cage w/Toys : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

$54.99

Bird food:

Amazon.com: Hartz Cockatiel, Lovebird, Small Conure Medium Bird Food -5Lb: Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: Hartz Cockatiel, Lovebird, Small Conure Medium Bird Food -5Lb: Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

$4.79

Cage lining:

Use paper(so you can inspect droppings)

Bird Treat:

Amazon.com : Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Honey Treat Stick Value Pack, 8-Oz : Pet Food : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Honey Treat Stick Value Pack, 8-Oz : Pet Food : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

$2.29

Bird itself:

$159 estimate


Bird toy

Robot Check

Bird Bath:

Robot Check

Also, If I get a bird I'm naming it after my chicken.

Sir Cluckington Abraham Van Dyne the 2nd, twice removed

The chicken is still alive by the way, it's just at a farm.

 

[sunnysmom]

Welcome to the forum. I'll start with the easy questions first. The cage you have posted is too small for a cockatiel. And cockatiels tend to do better with wider rather than higher cages. I also personally don't like cages built like houses. They're not really practical (although look cute). They're hard to hang toys from and my birds at least sometimes hang upside down and it's hard to do with a not flat or domed top. Also, although cute, my birds would never go in that bird bath. Some birds might but a misting bottle might be a better investment. Also, cockatiels should have a variety of perches. And in my opinion, Hartz is not the greatest brand. I would look at Higgins or Avian Organics, etc. Keep in mind tiels should have fresh food and some pellets too.

As for whether you should get a cockatiel, is your whole family on board? Because a bird is really a family commitment. There can be no Teflon pans, no burning candles, no air fresheners or strong cleaners, no smoking, etc. If the whole family isn't on board, it doesn't really work. The other question is, what are your plans when you are done with high school. If you plan on going to college, it may be better to wait. A cockatiel can live to be in its twenties. So it's a big commitment. And often when a young person goes to college or has to move for a job or joins the military or wants to travel, etc. the bird can't go along. So just some things to think about. You seem like a mature young person who is doing a lot of research. So I think you will be a good bird owner. It's just a question of whether now is the right time or not.

 

[Birdyman]

Welcome to the forum. I'll start with the easy questions first. The cage you have posted is too small for a cockatiel. And cockatiels tend to do better with wider rather than higher cages. I also personally don't like cages built like houses. They're not really practical (although look cute). They're hard to hang toys from and my birds at least sometimes hang upside down and it's hard to do with a not flat or domed top. Also, although cute, my birds would never go in that bird bath. Some birds might but a misting bottle might be a better investment. Also, cockatiels should have a variety of perches. And in my opinion, Hartz is not the greatest brand. I would look at Higgins or Avian Organics, etc. Keep in mind tiels should have fresh food and some pellets too.

As for whether you should get a cockatiel, is your whole family on board? Because a bird is really a family commitment. There can be no Teflon pans, no burning candles, no air fresheners or strong cleaners, no smoking, etc. If the whole family isn't on board, it doesn't really work. The other question is, what are your plans when you are done with high school. If you plan on going to college, it may be better to wait. A cockatiel can live to be in its twenties. So it's a big commitment. And often when a young person goes to college or has to move for a job or joins the military or wants to travel, etc. the bird can't go along. So just some things to think about. You seem like a mature young person who is doing a lot of research. So I think you will be a good bird owner. It's just a question of whether now is the right time or not.

Thank you for your answer! For your question, yes the entire family is on board. We already don't use candles, air fresheners or strong cleaners, and none of us smoke. While I will be going to college I don't plan on living in a dorm, where we live is close enough that it isn't a hassle to get to my desired college. Even then, the other collages I can apply to are in the area, so I will still be at home, it is just the better option and saves a lot of money. I was already planning on getting a misting bottle for my bird, but I wanted to give it the option of bathing by itself. Finally, if it isn't too much of a problem, could you recommend some cages? I'm already most likely looking up some (24, 24, 24 or 18, 18, 24, I can't remember.) as you are reading this, but I would like some recommendations from a professional.

 

[tka]

The minimum size you should be looking at for a cockatiel is 32x21 inches, and ideally it should be bigger: Wingspan Info | Natural Inspirations Parrot cages

The issue with university is not just whether you're living in a dorm, but whether you can care for a bird, give it at least 3 hours out the cage a day, do well in your university work and also take part in university activities, have friends etc. You will also go on to do something after university. You may have periods of uncertain or unstable employment, go on to do further training, or move around (both within the region, within the country and even abroad). Cockatiels can live for over twenty years, so your bird may still be with you when you're in your thirties.

Speaking with my university lecturer (college professor for those in the US) hat on, be very careful about making a commitment now that you cannot sustain. At university, you will be timetabled for a certain number of contact hours which will depend on the subject you take. Contact hours are the hours you're actually timetabled for - these may include lectures, seminars and lab hours depending on your subject. However, you will be expected to do a lot of independent study: reading, taking notes, meeting your lecturers to discuss your work, preparing for assessments, perhaps forming a study group and so on. While you may only be scheduled for 15 contact hours a week if you're doing an arts or humanities subject, you will be expected to put in a lot more than that in terms of independent work.

Universities also offer a lot of extracurricular activities. Mine offers everything from sports to tending the on-site vegetable garden. Typically, a university will offer sports teams, clubs for different hobbies and interests, and groups learning new skills or with common interests. You are (hopefully!) going to make friends and will want to socialise with them in the evenings. You may want to take inpromptu trips and weekends away. There is a lot of freedom to enjoy!

A lot of my students work part-time and often find it very challenging to balance their studies with work. A lot of them work in the evenings (generally in restaurants or bars) or at weekends (generally in retail). Sometimes they get the balance wrong and find that work cuts into their studying time which means that they do less well than they could have done in assessments. Adding a bird - who needs at least two to three hours out of cage time and your company - to this mix will only make it harder to find that balance.

The next decade or two of your life is going to involve lots of changes, many of which you may not be able to predict. You've got to think about what's fair on both you and a potential bird. It's not fair on a bird if you're unable to spend time with it or can't afford vet treatment. Equally, it's not fair on you to miss out on rewarding, enjoyable and/or valuable things or potential careers because you're responsible for a being with toddler level needs.

 

[Birdyman]

The minimum size you should be looking at for a cockatiel is 32x21 inches, and ideally it should be bigger: Wingspan Info | Natural Inspirations Parrot cages

The issue with university is not just whether you're living in a dorm, but whether you can care for a bird, give it at least 3 hours out the cage a day, do well in your university work and also take part in university activities, have friends etc. You will also go on to do something after university. You may have periods of uncertain or unstable employment, go on to do further training, or move around (both within the region, within the country and even abroad). Cockatiels can live for over twenty years, so your bird may still be with you when you're in your thirties.

Speaking with my university lecturer (college professor for those in the US) hat on, be very careful about making a commitment now that you cannot sustain. At university, you will be timetabled for a certain number of contact hours which will depend on the subject you take. Contact hours are the hours you're actually timetabled for - these may include lectures, seminars and lab hours depending on your subject. However, you will be expected to do a lot of independent study: reading, taking notes, meeting your lecturers to discuss your work, preparing for assessments, perhaps forming a study group and so on. While you may only be scheduled for 15 contact hours a week if you're doing an arts or humanities subject, you will be expected to put in a lot more than that in terms of independent work.

Universities also offer a lot of extracurricular activities. Mine offers everything from sports to tending the on-site vegetable garden. Typically, a university will offer sports teams, clubs for different hobbies and interests, and groups learning new skills or with common interests. You are (hopefully!) going to make friends and will want to socialise with them in the evenings. You may want to take inpromptu trips and weekends away. There is a lot of freedom to enjoy!

A lot of my students work part-time and often find it very challenging to balance their studies with work. A lot of them work in the evenings (generally in restaurants or bars) or at weekends (generally in retail). Sometimes they get the balance wrong and find that work cuts into their studying time which means that they do less well than they could have done in assessments. Adding a bird - who needs at least two to three hours out of cage time and your company - to this mix will only make it harder to find that balance.

The next decade or two of your life is going to involve lots of changes, many of which you may not be able to predict. You've got to think about what's fair on both you and a potential bird. It's not fair on a bird if you're unable to spend time with it or can't afford vet treatment. Equally, it's not fair on you to miss out on rewarding, enjoyable and/or valuable things or potential careers because you're responsible for a being with toddler level needs.

Thank you for your input. I'll reconsider getting one.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Here is a flight cage that is currently on sale at Amazon and Chewy:

Robot Check

PREVUE PET PRODUCTS Wrought Iron Small & Medium Birds Flight Cage, Black Hammertone - Chewy.com

Buy Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Small & Medium Birds Flight Cage, Black Hammertone at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

You need to consider veterinary costs.
Also there is much better food than Hartz. For example, Volkman Avian Science Super Sunflower Seed-Free Cockatiel Food, 4-lb bag - Chewy.com.
Look into pellets, too. My 'tiels get Mazuri small bird maintenance but used to get Caitec small Oven Fresh Bites.
I had birds when I was young and when I continued onto college so it can be done but you have to make sure that you make time for your bird.

 

[GoDucks]

I think you should get a tiel for a variety of reasons: 1. You are interested in learning which is apparent by your list and the fact that you are reaching out to people on this site.
2. You have been wanting to get one for quite some time, so this isn't a flash in the pan, and, 3. You and your whole family is aboard in wanting a cockatiel.

Yes, you will go away to college, but if life changes such as divorce, illness, loss of job, school, relationships, etc.. were a detriment in getting a bird companion, than none of us would have one.

Go for it!

 

[Zara]

Welcome to the Avenue

@sunnysmom covered all of the things on your list very well.
The cage @iamwhoiam posted would be a great option. I had one of those house style cages and it was my nemesis, I hated it with a passion.

The treats you posted are ok once in a while, not daily Pick up some natural millet on the sprig, and you can break off clusters to give as rewards and feeding through the bars of the cage to start forming a relationship.

If you would like to offer your bird the chance to bathe on their own accord, you can use a shallow bowl or lipped plate with a little water in (1-2cm) but don´t leave that in the cage overnight or when the bird is alone.

You might also want to consider sex. Males tend to whistle and sing whereas hens can be a little quieter.

Good luck wih your decision, remember to make this choice with the whole family included.
Post as many questions as you need to here and we will do our best to help you