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Chyotrix · by **Chyotrix** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:28 am

Hi all,

I know there have been some posts about screeching Cockatiels and I've read many but none have really addressed what I've got going on with my Cockatiel Kasey.
He's a hand fed Lutino male who I purchased from a local person. Now I've had Cockatiels before and a Cockatoo but this behavior baffles me.
He screeching and begs like he wants to be hand fed while bobbing his head up and down. He's eating and drinking and the only time he stops is at night when he's covered. He'll sit on my chest and push at my chin while bobbing and screeching. Same on my shoulder. Won't stay up on the shoulder either. Flutters down to the ground or table or sofa. His wings are clipped. It's driving us nuts.
Is he still thinking he's not weaned? He's only 2 months old or so.

Thanks,
Chris

Sunnybird · by **Sunnybird** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:07 am

Now, I've never had a bird that young, but, from what I've read on this and other boards it does sound as if he has regressed and wants to be fed. Apparently, that is not uncommon. You don't say how long you've had him.

Someone more experienced will be along to help. You might also check out the cockatiel forum on Birdboard.

christie · by **christie** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:56 am

Is he maintaining his weight? This does sound like begging behavior. You can try bending a spoon so it has a funnel shape towards the bottom and try spoon feeding him some thickened formula, (make sure it is the correct temprature). He may need some comfort feedings, or he may have regressed.

Chyotrix · by **Chyotrix** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:14 pm

I've had him a little over a month so he's probably closer to 3 months now. The person I got him from gave him to me as soon as he started eating solid food.
His weight is good, he loves spinch and goes nuts over millet. I feed Zupreem Fruit Blend and he eats that as well.

christie · by **christie** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:20 pm

Sounds like he is just needing comfort feedings. Again, you can use warm formula and a spoon for this, or you can use hot water or juice and pellets for it. Feeding by hand will help calm him/her down hopefully!

Chyotrix · by **Chyotrix** on Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:37 pm

Well I had my husband stop and pick up the hand feeding formula that Kasey was use to and boy what a difference.
I fed him when Art got home and he quieted right down. We did some thing around the house and he started begging again. I couldn't believe he was hungry again but he was. He could hardly wait for m to get the formula into the syringe. And once again he calmed right down.

Thanks so much for the advice.

Claudia · by **Claudia** on Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:34 am

oh boy, now you will have to try and wean him off it again :wink:

He sounds like a character

Do you have pictures?

Chyotrix · by **Chyotrix** on Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:35 am

Well that was going to be my next question. How long does re-weaning usually take?
I will try and get pixs of him. Nothing like trial by fire. But it sure was nice having a happy bird again. After I washed him off he let me use the blow dryer on him. My first Cockatiel Earl use to love that. He was a White Faced Pearl and was awesome. This is my first Cockatiel since Earl. It's been over 5 years and I always wanted a Lutino. I actually went to the breeders wanting a Love Bird but Earl picked me out and the breeder told me I had no choice, I had been choosen.

christie · by **christie** on Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:42 pm

Most of the time it dosn't take long at all. Let him set the pace, he should start refusing feedings in a few weeks. If it continues past then, I would think about having the vet check him for infection.

Chyotrix · by **Chyotrix** on Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:10 am

Thanks for the reply.
When I got up this morning to feed him he was refusing the syringe but kept eating out of the container. So I put the food on a plate and he went to town. So much easier.
I'm so glad I found this site. You all have been so much hekp.

Will post pictures soon.

christie · by **christie** on Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:29 pm

I'm glad you found us too! I'm glad I was of some help. I have a 9 year old Indian Ringneck that likes to be fed sometimes. She was sick a couple of years ago and I found out how much she likes it. I now will give her warm pellet mash on occasion when she has been very good. She loves to chew the syringe though, so I can't do it very often!

MFids · by **MFids** on Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:59 pm

Glad you found out why your tiel was screeching!!!! However, I wanted to address some issues that seem to have been overlooked.

Although this doesn't pertain directly to you, cockatiels should not be sold until they have eaten dry food on their own without any begging for two weeks. This helps to lessen the chance of regression or comfort feedings.

Spinach is fine in small amounts, but should not take up a good portion of the diet due to oxalites. I'd say probably not more than once or twice a week. I recall a post (somewhere) of a person who lost her lovebird due to feeding kale as the only vegetable source (or as the main source), and fed frequently. He died due to oxalate poisoning.

Zupreem is a decent pellet, although if you plan on feeding that I'd recommend feeding the Natural instead of the Fruit Blend.... or if you can get it and your bird likes it, perhaps TOPs, Foundation Formula, or Roudybush instead. With that said, pellets should not take up more than 25-50% of his *dry* diet. Smaller parrots actually do well on a seed and pellet based diet, perhaps more seeds than pellets, with plenty of fresh and cooked foods included.

It would probably be a good idea to do more research on diet. Below is a good article with some tips.
20 Things You Must Know About Nutrition

I agree with Christie in regards to weaning. He should start eating on his own in a few weeks, and if he doesn't, get him to an avian vet. If you don't have one, go out and buy a digital gram scale to keep a watch on his weight.

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