Cockatiel Cage and Accessories? What all do I need for my Cockatiel?

Yellow_Tang04

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Okay so instead of a conure, I decided to get a Cockatiel. My breeder will not have any for at least a month, but then he will need to raise it, tame it, etc. before it can be sold, so I figured I should get the new bird's home ready right now so he will have a comfy new home once I get him :) So - I have decided to get the largest cage I can afford, which I have decided on this one. My breeder also has this one, which he keeps some of his cockatiels in. So, what all would I need to buy to put in the cage? (perches, toys, etc.) and is there a limit or certain things I should not buy? Or just as much toys and perches I can fit in there? I am still doing my research on cockatiels, just want to get his house down first! Also, if it is not too much to ask, could you provide links from the site i am ordering the cage from? They have toys and such...but if you can't that is completely fine :) Thanks so much for the help. -Yellow_Tang04 :grey:
 
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Yellow_Tang04

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Well I just shopped around on the site and grabbed what I thought looked good. So here is my cart. Can I put all that in the cage? Or is that just way too much. I only want to put one bird in there, I think I have way too many perches and toys, but It seems like such a large cage for a cockatiel...I am not sure. Help? And for feeding, do I just refill his bowl when it is empty and just fill a bowl with water?
 

Birdlover11

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That is a REALLY good size cage ! Since its really tall you will have to be careful where you put your perches. It says your cart is empty ? I would try cage bar attached toys since they take up less space.
 

aliray

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Very nice cage:)
 

Birdlover11

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Agree with Mikey, I'm buying my budgies a new cage from there and it's a 28x20X60 for only 350$
 
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Yellow_Tang04

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Thank you Mikey! As you can see, I took your advice with this cockatiel :) It does seem a tad expensive. Thanks for that link :) So, just get about 3-4 perches --- can I use like mazanita braches instead of the plastic type ones? I like the look of those better. So, just get as much clip on toys as I like? Dont want him to have a boring home!
 

MikeyTN

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Thank you Mikey! As you can see, I took your advice with this cockatiel :) It does seem a tad expensive. Thanks for that link :) So, just get about 3-4 perches --- can I use like mazanita braches instead of the plastic type ones? I like the look of those better. So, just get as much clip on toys as I like? Dont want him to have a boring home!

Cockatiels are wonderful birds to own, you will definitely enjoy them!!! You sure can use the mazanita perches as they are pretty easy to clean. Cockatiels don't go through toys that badly so yea get any toy you want but don't over fill it so they'll have room to roam around.
 
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Yellow_Tang04

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Thank you Mikey! As you can see, I took your advice with this cockatiel :) It does seem a tad expensive. Thanks for that link :) So, just get about 3-4 perches --- can I use like mazanita braches instead of the plastic type ones? I like the look of those better. So, just get as much clip on toys as I like? Dont want him to have a boring home!

Cockatiels are wonderful birds to own, you will definitely enjoy them!!! You sure can use the mazanita perches as they are pretty easy to clean. Cockatiels don't go through toys that badly so yea get any toy you want but don't over fill it so they'll have room to roam around.

Okay thanks, so I can just get as much toys and stuff for it, just as long is its not too much. is there certain types of toys or perches I should stay away from? like plastic, etc. and does It matter the size of the toy/perch?
 

crimson

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good choice of toys, cockatiels love dangling types that hang and 'dangle'

even if everything doesn't fit, it's a good idea to rotate the toys every 1-2 weeks.

One thing I've added to all of my cages is Timothy Hay, I put it on the bottom of the cages, and they go nuts for it. they'll play with it for hours.
 
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Yellow_Tang04

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good choice of toys, cockatiels love dangling types that hang and 'dangle'

even if everything doesn't fit, it's a good idea to rotate the toys every 1-2 weeks.

One thing I've added to all of my cages is Timothy Hay, I put it on the bottom of the cages, and they go nuts for it. they'll play with it for hours.

Ok cool, just the timothy hay you get in bags at petsmart for like rabbits and stuff?
 

Rio Mom

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Rest in Peace Rio
You may want to check out mysafebirdstore.com too, lots of awesome stuff and great prices. :)
 

MikeyTN

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The toys and perch you have chosen is fine for Cockatiels. They love toys with bells on it!
 

MonicaMc

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If you want to harness train your cockatiel, you better buy the harness before the breeder starts raising the tiels, then have the breeder drape and put the harness on the cockatiel every day prior to you bringing him/her home.

Cockatiels are not big on being restrained in harness like contraptions, so it could be much harder to train an adult cockatiel to wear a harness vs a young one.
 

Birdlover11

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You sure are a serious tiel mommy ! Yes , I always agree on using real wood then those fake plastic ones. Better for their little feet too. Most tiels enjoy messing around with hanging toys like hanging upside down, racing who gets to the top first, a really good kind of toy. I would also reccomend some pedi perches to wear down their nails. Have you ever thought about bar attaching food dishes. They will eat more comfortably if the dishes are a little higher then the ground. Some birds always gobble down their food quickly then race back to the top since being on the ground for birds in the wild is vunerable to them
 
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Yellow_Tang04

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Thanks guys - and yeah, I decided against a harness --- what exactly would you use it for? Seemed a little odd to me to begin with, just wondering if I were supposed to get one...
 

Birdlover11

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Thanks guys - and yeah, I decided against a harness --- what exactly would you use it for? Seemed a little odd to me to begin with, just wondering if I were supposed to get one...

Just in case you want to start free flight training him, or taking him out in public.
 

MonicaMc

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Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
As mentioned, a harness is great for taking birds out in public, clipped or flighted. Clipping a bird should never be used as a safety measure in them taking off because clipped birds can still fly with the right conditions are met.

Here's pictures of one cockatiel in a harness
"Jeydey takes her Cockatiel Rosie-Blush to Brown's Bay New Zealand For The Day."



I tried putting a harness on my tamest cockatiel, and she freaked out, as if she was being wrapped up by a snake. Only time I've tried as well. I could train her to accept a harness, but I haven't bothered. Tried on another tiel not nearly as tame, and although she didn't like it, she didn't put up such a fuss as the first one did. With them, it's just easier to train when they are younger vs adults.
 

Niner10Tango

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Tango a White Faced Pied Cockatiel

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