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To add to the discussion of the new chicks, I've been monitoring very closely what Missy and Smokey are eating. This evening and yesterday evening, Smokey was pigging out on sunflower seeds; something he never had done before. His normal diet would be mostly white/red/brown millet, few canary grass seeds, and now and then, a sunflower seed. He also would eat the LaFebers pellets and baby bok-choy or kale. Today, I fed him apart from the rest as a lot of evenings, but noticed he was really working on the sunflower seeds. I have to believe he has sense enough to know when he needs extra fat intake vs. a protein based food. Yesterday's boiled and fried shrimp, as well as haddock fillets and potatoes leads me to believe he knows what he and the chicks need to sustain life and to build their bodies and digestive systems. Smokey has *never*, in the 2 years + I've had him ever eaten table food. Same with the bread. Whole wheat bread must be OK aside from it being easy to digest, but without actually examining and analyzing what their regurgitated food for chicks consist of, it would be a simple SWAG. Shame we can't get that kind of info without undue stress or via duress. There are just so many things about cockatiels that science does not know, I hope to be able to document what I see in efforts to help others. I am just awed at the possibilities available, just by watching and observing.

Since Smokey has been with me over 2 years, I kind of know his habits, behavior and needs. Missy, OTOH has been with us for 5 months, and although she appeared sexually mature when we got her, she did change after her mating with Smokey. She was not a "cuddly" birdie to start, as were the rest, but she now both expects and demands to be held first thing in the morning, almost as if she is wanting reassurances from me that she is doing the right things. Smokey has been more of a daddy bird than I ever imagined. Couple of months after acquisition of Chibi, and before we realized Chibi was male, Smokey kind of took Chibi "under his wing" so to speak and teach him things, and to this day, I do believe Chibi looks to Smokey as a father figure. My flock is so confused! I am "KING BIRDIE" -- they look to me for comfort, help, consolation, their well being, and to say the least, cuddles, scritches and kisses. I am as spoiled with them as they are to us....perhaps more.

Whoa.. off topic and I started it.....

In my situation, I can truly say, the circumstances dictate what foods are preferred over others. Seed diets, although we all know is not the best, is what wild birds eat, along with the occasional bug. AFIK, the areas where 'tiels are native does not have that much fruit available, and none of mine like any type of fruit. In essence, provide them a varied diet, and in my circumstances, they will take care of their physical needs as well as dietary needs.

Any of all this make sense, or have I had one too many margaritas?

Sam

I am pretty sure that in Africa where the Greys come from there is no boiled corn on the cob or chopped apple wedges, but my greys sure go for those! And red seedless grapes! How many verdant vineyards do ya think are out there? If I tried to switch my greys to palm fruit and mineral mud they would think I was crazy! And there CERTAINLY aren't any Pollo Loco chicken thigh bones out there in the wild! LOL I say give em choices, which is what you do. And also shrimp. No shrimp on the savannah either! LOL.

Jo

How about Cheerios and popcorn? Are those native foods for cockatiels????
Two of Casper's faves.

It is interesting how Smokey's appetite has changed. His body must be telling him he needs this stuff for his babies. What great parents they are!