Questions about cockatiels?

Question

1. How often do they get sick, if I clean their cage, and take care of them?

2. If they do get sick is it really expensive to get the medication they need?

3. Would it be ok for me to get one at pet'smart, since there arent any breeders in my area?

4. My mom smokes, so would the smoke bother the bird considering we have a relatively large house, and the bird will always be in my room, with the door shut?

5. In your opinion do you think the pros outweigh the cons of having a cockatiel?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

1. I've had mine for around 7 yrs. and she never gets sick. There might be days she doesn't feel well, but I've never had to give her medicine.

2. not sure...never had to give medicine to mine

3. yes, we got ours at pet smart and it's totally fine and normal.

4. smoking will be okay...I smoke around mine and it doesn't seem to bother her.

5. def. get one. They can mimic sounds you make and you can even teach them to do tricks. they are a  great bird to have. Good Luck!

Answer 2

1. They don't get sick often if at all.

2. If they do get sick you need to take them to the vet and yes it could be expensive.

3. Pet Smart would be ok to buy from (others do) just make sure they let you handle it so you can make sure it's friendly.  Try to find a young one.

4. My mom smokes and her cockatiel is over 15 years old.

5. Cockatiels make wonderful pets and are a good first bird.

Answer 3

My cockatiel is 21 years old and has been to the vet 2 or 3 times in her life.  Once required medicine, about $100.  But a pet is a member of your family and should be treated like one - if your bird ever does get sick, be sure he/she gets the treatment he/she needs.  Cigarette smoke isn't good for birds, just like it's not good for humans.  Keep your bird away from it.  As long as you are ready for the comittment and care of a bird, cockatiels are fun to be around :)  Good luck, and give your bird a happy and healthy home!

Answer 4

1.  There's really no telling whether your bird will ever become ill.  Diet also plays a big portion in the health of a bird.  With good care, good diet, fresh air and a good environment you bird will hopefully never get ill.  But if it ever looks like it *might* be ill, you need to seek avian veterinary advice.

2.  One of my avian vets charges $60 for an office visit.  The other charges $55 for an office visit.  Medications, tests or procedures are additional.

3.  Be certain all of the birds appear to be healthy with clear eyes and nares, feathers in good condition and clean vents (no f***s or discoloration on the feathers underneath the tail).  Be sure to handle the bird to see if he or she is used to being handled.  Take the bird to an avian vet for a "well bird" visit to be sure it is healthy.  Any health guarantee is likely to be a 3-day guarantee and you'll have to have the bird checked within that time for the guarantee to be valid.

4.  Smoke is terrible for birds.  They have very delicate respiratory systems.  If there is smoking in the household I would recommend keeping a HEPA filter in the room with the bird.  Your bird should never be exposed to fumes of any kind.  Teflon will kill the bird.  

5.  It's an individual judgment.  What I have spent ON my birds far exceeds what I paid FOR them.  But they are wonderful companions and I love them and wouldn't do anything differently.  Are you prepared to care for the bird as long as it lives?  Are you prepared to be sure it eats a healthy diet, has a roomy cage and toys and is provided with your companionship on a daily basis?  Are you prepared to take it to the vet if you think it *may* be ill?  

Hope this helps.  Birds are generally expensive and time consuming but worth it :-)

Colette

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parro...

Answer 5

1. As long as you feed them a healthy diet and keep their cages clean they should be fine. However nothing is a written in stone, just like people we all get sick.

2. All depends on what you call expensive. Cost no more or less than any other pet. I am not the norm of people I spend over 1300.00 on my little baby cockatiel that was born with a splayed leg, and even with that spent couldn't save him. Him living on his belly finally took it's toll and he gave up a month ago. Know your bird. watch for signs of weight loss, habits, and droppings. These birds will hide their illness till it's almost too late.

3.The Pet Smart in our area have very nice birds. One of the Dog Trainers there raise Cockatiels and she sells them to her store. They are all very friendly. I know everyone will tell you that a hand raised bird is very tame and it is to the one that raised it. You will be a stranger to it so give it time.

4.SMOKE IS DEADLY TO YOUR BIRD. MAKE SURE YOUR BIRD ISN'T ANYWHERE NEAR THE SMOKE. I would think that your bird being in your room away from the smoke would be okay. If you smell it in your room then I wouldn't get a bird. However you are use to the odor and might not smell it like someone who isn't around a smoker. WE SMOKER STINK! It gets in our clothes, hair, hands, and course our breath. I don't smoke in our house, and I wash my hands before I handle my birds.

5. IN MY OPINION GO GET YOUR BIRD. You are asking all the right questions however there is so much more to learn. Just search the internet there is so much reading for you there. Make sure you get the right cage, toys, and food. If you are getting a single bird then put a mirror in his cage. It will keep them company till you get home. They do demand your time so allow him to fly around your room when your home. Cleanning up the mess is all a part of raising any animal.

These birds make such great pets. I have 5 of them and 1 sparrow that I raised myself. The little sparrow thinks he is a cockatiel. Good Luck

Answer 6

If you give your bird a combination of pellets and a good brand of fortified seed with healthy people food and keep your birds house clean and the food and water dishes cleaned and rinsed properly,you should have no problem. I use a charcoal water filter to remove chlorine from my tap water because chemicals in tap water can harm a birds system. I've had my bird 8.5 years and have had no major health problems.

Avian vets are not easy to find and it is always a good idea to have one in case of a birdie emergency. A regular vet can do the basic tests needed to check if your bird is carrying any disease harmful to people and do wing and nail clips. Most bird medications are not that expensive. It is easier to prevent a bird from getting sick by giving a balanced diet, exercise, and cleaning properly.

When buying a bird from any store look for bright eyes and a clean butt and clear nose. Most stores have a 14 day return policy on pets. Make sure you get the warranty in writting. Make sure you save your receipt.

Your mom has to have access to your room for cleaning and to communicate with you. It would hurt her feelings to exclude her from your room because of a bird.

As for your mom smoking, if the bird is in a closed house in the winter time the smoke will settle on birdies feathers and accummulate in his lungs and hollow feathers. Your bird will start huffing and be out of breathe when he flies for short distances. You cannot keep the window open in the winter because the bird will catch pneumonia and may die.

Something else you did not consider is start up cost: cage, food ,toys can run a couple of hundred dollars. After that monthly expenses for food and wing and nail clips average about $30-$40 per month depending on how many treats and ,toys and variety of foods you buy.

Cockatiels like their larger cousins can live 25 years or longer. Are you ready for a life time commitment? Taking care of a bird or other pet is like taking care of a child you cannot cast aside a pet or ignore it because you are broke, not feeling good or you want to go out and have fun.

Cockatiels like all birds drop seeds on the floor and love to vocalize. If you like to sleep late, do not get any bird because they are early risers and will chirp until you get up. There is no snooze alarm on cockatiels or any other birds. They thrive on companionship and when deprived of company will get depressed and refuse to eat.

If you are willing and financially able to to support a pet and are willing and able to take on a life time of caring for birdie  and are willing to go to the library and research on proper care of a bird and locate a vet and avian specialist  for birdie emergencies and save up for everything you need to get started including the cost of the bird.Then I say ok get a bird. If your mom has to contribute any funds to get you started  then I say  you should wait or consider other options. And yes a vet check should be done before the store warranty expires. I hope I answered all your questions.

Bubba

Bubba