From: ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy)
Subject: RE: Buying a buddy tiel
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 22:31:55 GMT

>> 1) Is it important that the cockatiel be handfed?

	If the cockatiel will have any interaction with people, then it should
	be hand-fed.  The hand-fed cockatiel will suffer much less stress, and
	his life will be much more rewarding when he can directly interact with
	you.  Some non hand-fed birds can be taught to be a loving pet, but
	this is a very long and painful process; and they are rarely as sweet
	as a hand-fed.

>> 2) Does it matter if we get a female buddy for chuck?

	In terms of pure companionship, it shouldn't matter if the new bird is
	male or female.  However, it depends on the personality of the birds
	whether or not they both get along.

>> 3) "prices"...

	Hand-feds obviously cost more because of all the labor required to 
	raise a bird properly.  The price difference is small though when 
	comparing how tame and sweet most hand-feds are.                       
	 
	[A WORD OF ADVICE: Hand-fed birds are not all the same.  Some breeders
	 don't remove the babies from the nest until they are up to four weeks
	 old.  At this extended age, the babies have become attached to their
	 parents to some degree.  I usually start feeding my babies at around
	 3 to 7 days old, before their eyes open.  These babies tend to be
	 much more adorable than ones removed from the nest at an older age.]
	      
	$49.00 for a non-hand-fed cockatiel seems to be the average store price.        In pet stores, I have seen hand-fed's cost as much as $120.  I would
	recommend looking for a reputable breeder in your area before buying
	from a pet shop.  The breeder can provide you with more information
	about the bird, and a much better price.  For example, I sell my
	baby cockatiels for $50 (Greys) to $60 (Lutinos, Pearls, & Pieds) to
	$75 (Cinnamon-Pearl-Pieds, etc...).  Try looking in your newspaper
	classifieds, Bird Talk magazine, or a national pet bird association 
	like the American Cockatiel Society (write me if you need the address).

>> 4) How long should the new bird be separated?

	If possible, you would want to put the birds in separate cages next to
	each other (assuming the bird is healthy and disease free).  It may
	take from a few days to a few weeks before the birds get used to each
	other.  During the acclimation period, you can let the two birds play
	with each other under supervision, and use your best judgement on how
	well they are getting along.

	The bird you have now, though, may not appreciate the new 'friend.'
	Your current bird may have its territory claimed, and jealousy may
	perhaps arise.  Just be cautious when introducing the two birds.

>> 5) If they breed... 

	Taking care of the parents during breeding requires no more care than
	non-breeding birds.  You will want to provide them with a variety of 
	plentiful food and observe the female more closely for any sign of
	illness (i.e. egg binding).  You should not let the female breed until
	she is at least a year old (a male can breed after six months of age).

	Raising the babies requires the most work, if you decide to hand-feed.
	Babies up to 1 week old require feeding about every 2 hours, up to
	2 weeks old about every 3-4 hours, and so on.  You will have to feed
	them until they wean out (feed themselves) at about 6 to 9 weeks old.
	You should seek the consultation of a breeder if you decide to hand-
	feed.  Otherwise, you can let the parent birds do the work, which will
	result in 3 to 5 cockatiel babies that are afraid of people and a pair
	of extremely exhausted adult 'tiels.

>> 6) skittish 'tiels...

	Non hand-fed birds will require an enormous amount of frustrating work
	to get them to calm down.  Even then, they just won't be as sweet as
	the hand-feds.  If you want a pet, buy a hand-fed.


In addition, try to find a baby that is already eating a pelleted diet.  The
pelleted bird foods are far more healthy than seeds for your pet.  Birds that
are already used to eating just seeds are difficult to convert to pellets.

	
					I hope I could help...

					Aaron Moy
					University of Illinois-Urbana
					ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu

					 
	 
	 
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	  $49.00 

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	    comparing how tame and han
From: billg@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM (Bill Gingras)
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 15:36:16 GMT
Subject: More Weird 'tiel Behavior
Organization: HP Stanford Park - Palo Alto, CA