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Hello all, I have a cockatiel that I got 6 years ago from someone that didnt want her.... Im not sure how old she was then.... If I remember right her was maybe 3. she is a very timid bird who loves all people and has never ever bitten. she is in great health. She is in a very large parrot cage but the bars are close enough together to be safe for a cockatiel or even a parakeet. Id like to get her a companion bird but.... Im wondering if she is to old to accept one... she has never had a cage mate but got along fine with my jenday when he was out of his cage. ((my Jenday passed)) My other concern is I dont want her to breed. So my questions are ......

1. Is she to old and set in her ways to get her a cagemate?

2. How old of a bird should I get?

I look forward to your responses.

Tanieanie

Hi! I had the same problem with Jerry Lee. A friend of mine found him in his backyard and gave him to me, so I'm not sure how old he was, but he was definitely not very young. He was very much set in his ways, very distrustful of me, and extremely protective of his cage. I really didn't think he'd get along with another bird, but my friend suggested getting a female so he wouldn't be alone, so I did.

Jessie was less than a year old when I got her, and Jerry Lee was completely swept off his feet. They shared the same cage without problems, even though I kept a second cage on hand, just in case. Jerry Lee had bad social skills, but they actually improved the longer Jessie stayed. He now does typical cockatiel things, like putting his beak into his feathers while sleeping (before, he just kind of pulled his head in like a turtle), and he ventures away from the cage, including flying on my head. If he accidentally preens her too hard or annoys her, she hisses at him, and that does the trick. It helps that she has a very gentle demeanor and doesn't seem to hold grudges against him.

As for the breeding, Jessie does lay eggs, and she probably would even if there wasn't a male around. I read somewhere that they need a proper nesting box, otherwise the chicks won't hatch, but I'm not taking that chance. I let her sit on them a few days, and then I take them away. She doesn't seem to have a problem with that.

I don't think age difference is a problem; the most important thing is that you get a very gentle bird and keep another cage at hand, just in case. You might also want to talk to the breeder about returning the bird in case it does not work out.

Good luck!

I think every tiel benefits from having a tiel friend or two, so I applaud your idea. What is your tiel's name? She could live to be 20 or more, and she's definitely not too old for a friend. If she were the type tiel who produces egg after egg, she would likely have done so already. Tiels don't need a male to produce eggs, only to fertilize them.

I would research to find the very best tiel breeder in your area and buy a just-weaned baby from her. After quarantining the baby for at least 30 days, set him or her (I don't think it matters which.) up in the quarantine cage in the same room with your older girl. Let their interest in each other guide you in moving their cages closer together and letting them play together outside their cages while you're there to supervise.

Tiels are so sociable that they will probably be interested in each other quickly and, when they both begin spending time in the larger cage while its door is open, you can begin gradually leaving them together in it for longer periods. It shouldn't take very long, a few weeks at most. Even if they never develop a tight bond with mutual preening, they will still get great pleasure from each other's company.

Please tell us how it goes.

Paca

I agree, getting another tiel is an excellent idea. I have two hens, and while they don't get along as well as I'd hoped - they aren't particularly bonded - their squabbles are few and mild when they do happen. And most of all, when they think we're not watching, we catch them sleeping close to each other. I think the companionship has considerably improved their lives, even if they're not best friends like I'd hoped.

While every cockatiel is different and may not immediately bond with another tiel, you can rest comfortably knowing they most likely won't hurt each other even if they don't get along. Tiels are peaceful, non-agressive birds, so squabbles usually consist of a hiss or a pretend nip at tail feathers. Of course, you still have to watch the individuals and separate them if necessary, but in all likelihood, you won't have any problems.

I don't think age matters much. Tiels aren't like energetic puppies.. they're pretty laid back for their whole lives.

I wouldn't try to get a male/female pair and start allowing them to breed unless you are very sure you want to breed tiels. My opinions probably not that popular, but I don't agree with hobbyist breeding. There are enough tiels in the pet trade already, and plenty of breeders who are taking care to preserve good qualities in pet birds and not allow the bad ones to reproduce. And there are far too many in rescues to encourage hobby breeding as a responsible path. Just my two cents there.

I got my Gizmo about a month ago now and after a few days I was able to put him in with Joey who is 8 years old. They both get on great although they now both have there own sleeping cage. as long as you introduce them slowley they should be ok.

Sometimes however it might not work as it depends on the bird.

Ok sounds great... The bird I have now, Her name is Pikachu.... I know I know the kids named her. She doesnt sing or talk but she is the greatest companion bird... When out of her cage she flies from head to head greeting everyone in the house.

I guess my next quest is to find a good teil in my area... I live in a rural area of wisconsin but Ill drive 2 hours or so if need be.

Im pretty excited, My hubby was out in the garage today working on my car and I kept running out there asking where is algoma, or wapauka...... becouse I was looking in online bird classifieds LOL.

Thanks to everyone!

Please don't forget the standard quarantine period of 30-45 days. 90 is ideal, but hard to so, but do it for a minimum of a month. The new bird may have giardia or something else that your bird can catch, so it's important to keep them apart for at least a month.

Put the new bird in its own cage in another room. Don't share toys between them - make sure the new bird has all new stuff for now. The cage doesn't have to be huge - he'll be ok for a month in a smaller cage, and it will make him feel more secure while he's adjusting. Wash your hands and preferably change clothes between visits with birds. You might have a shirt you wear over your clothes when you visit with the new bird, and use it only in that room.

Be sure to take the bird to the vet and get a clean bill of health before either your standard 1-2 day health guarantee expires or you introduce the birds. Make sure the vet rules out giardia, chlamydia (psittacosis), and upper respiratory infections at a minimum.

After 30 days you can introduce them slowly as everyone has suggested. But please, please, for both birds' sakes, don't blow off this quarantine period or you could face expensive vet bills or, worse, the death of one or both birds.

ok sounds good, I have an excellent avian vet. He isnt a very personable person but he knows what he is doing... Ive used him on my parrot for 6 years now. He even took care of a diabetic hedgehog I had once LOL.
I will be sure to do the quarantine,,, that will give me a chance to build a relationship with the bird befor introducing him or her to my pikachu. One last question..... since my bird is like 9 yrs old and she has laid 2 eggs in her life.... do you think I have to worry about getting a male.. or should I stick with a female..... I dont want her laying at all. any ideas. short of leaving her flight suit on 24/7 LOL just kidding. Tanya

She doesn't need a male to lay eggs. She may lay no matter which you get. Once one of my girls starts laying, she prompts the other to get nesty, too... so it doesn't matter. If she's going to lay, she's going to lay no matter which you get.

Here's an article I wrote about cockatiels laying eggs, what to do, and how to avoid it in the future. Some points other people may disagree with, but then I always recommend you read more than one source before taking action, anyway. This will give you a good start.

http://birdbraingifts.blogspot.com/2006 ... tiels.html