Sad cockatiels

[Deleted]

I have 2 cockatiels in my indoor aviary with my 5 budgies. They are the most sad little birds I have ever had. They just sit all day doing nothing. They don't play with the toys or even move off their shelf unless they are eating or drinking. I got them from a guy who had them in a small cage with another cockatiel, in a dark shed. I feel really sorry for them and want to make them happier. They are a lot healthier looking than when I got them. They can't fly very well, the female is a very poor flyer, she almost looks like she has french moult, the way she plummets to the ground. They only fly when I enter the aviary, when they panic and hiss at me. The male does sing several times a day.
I've had them for 7 months now and they have not got any better. Is there anything I can do to make them happier? I've never had cockatiels before so not really sure what to do.

[Nicola]

Oh...poor birdies I'm not sure what you can do for them I'm afraid. How old are they? Younger birds tend to play more. I have an older budgie that although extremely healthy, never plays r does much rather than eat sleep and drink. Maybe try and supply them with a bit more sunlight in the mornings if you can in any way. My birds are always more playful when the morning sun comes

Nicola

[stace]

That's sad. I'm not sure what you can do. Unfortunately animals are like us. If they don't get a good start in life, or are traumatised at an early age, it's hard for them to grow and be happy.

Hope someone else has some ideas for you.

[Deleted]

I have no idea how old they are. All I was told is they belonged to an old lady who gave them to the man I got them from because they weren't tame enough. She wanted birds that would sit on her hand.

[Moogie]

so sad,i dont know how any one could part with pets just because

[Deleted]

Apr 21, 2013 12:36:55 GMT Moogie said:

so sad,i dont know how any one could part with pets just because

Me either, I have never, in my entire life rehomed an animal of any kind. It would break my heart to see them go. If they don't improve I am considering putting them in a cage of their own to see if they are happier without the budgies.

[BudgiesBuddy]

I don't think you can do anything more for them. They already have an aviary and space to fly around. Putting them in a bigger outside aviary may help. stace is right that it's the start in life which matters. I have seen abused birds who very rarely get better, even with very good care.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. It's so sad to see them. Normally cockatiels are happy friendly birds. These 2 just look terrified the whole time. I have watched them and they are not bullied by the budgies at all. They just ignore each other. I've never seen them preen each other, not even the male and female cockatiels. The male makes little noises in response to me making chirping noises and he does look at me but the female just gets as far away as possible.

[Gaile]

if they were kept in a dark shed they maybe suffering from lack of calcium, making the their bones weak!!!

[nat]

I agree Gaile. And vitamin A deficiency as well.
Perhaps try a dietry supplement with high doses of both of these and B vits. I'm trying some of the Pro mix + (breeder diet) for some rehomed birds from this website shop. I'm hoping it will give them a good vit boost :-)http://www.ps1budgerigars.com/page2.htm
I'm not sure what you can do for their mental state, but a high protein diet supplement will help them put on muscle for flying as well as topping up on the vits and minerals.

[Deleted]

I supplement with feather up and Zolcal and have been giving them egg food as well as veg, weeds, hard boiled free range eggs with shell and they have been having pots of seed grown into grass. They also have the pink mineral block and cuttle bone though I'm not sure if the use the cuttle bone. I have put a mineral block in easy reach so they don't have to go too far. I'll have a look at the Pro mix + Nat, thanks.
Their flying and general condition has improved since I have had them. They are moulting right now and their feathers look much healthier. The female has a tuft of white down on the top of her head, it looks like feathers are missing but they have never grown back. I'll try and get some picture of them both. It's hard though as they are so timid.

[Gaile]

spraying them with water will help them through their moulting x

[BudgiesBuddy]

Apr 22, 2013 17:49:32 GMT starlingqueen said:

I supplement with feather up and Zolcal and have been giving them egg food as well as veg, weeds, hard boiled free range eggs with shell and they have been having pots of seed grown into grass. They also have the pink mineral block and cuttle bone though I'm not sure if the use the cuttle bone. I have put a mineral block in easy reach so they don't have to go too far. I'll have a look at the Pro mix + Nat, thanks.
Their flying and general condition has improved since I have had them. They are moulting right now and their feathers look much healthier. The female has a tuft of white down on the top of her head, it looks like feathers are missing but they have never grown back. I'll try and get some picture of them both. It's hard though as they are so timid.

Many pet cockatiels, especially color and mutation cockatiels, like lutino, albino, fallow, cinnamon, pearl and pieds have missing feathers on the head.

[nat]

Sounds like they're getting a great diet already Starlingqueen :-)

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 18:18:12 GMT nat said:

Sounds like they're getting a great diet already Starlingqueen :-)

I've had a lot of practice feeding birds. I think I am getting better. So much better than the all seed diet I used to feed my parrots years back, before we had the www.

Here's the best pictures I could get of them. You can see the tuft on the back of Luna's head. She had just finished off the sprouted grass.






Sorry this one is blurred but it's the best I could get of Solar.