Post by Smiley on Mar 7, 2008 5:09:40 GMT -5
With permission smileysbirds.proboards26.com/index.cgi
Scientific Name: Nymphicus Hollandicus
Other Names: Quarrion, Weero, Tiel
The cockatiel is native to Australia but can be found all over the world.
It is in the same family as the Cockatoos and Galahs.
Size is approx 30cm long
Common weight 80-110 grams
Life Span: Approx 15 years but known to live longer.
Housing: Minimum 50cm x 50cm x 50cm for one bird. (keeping in mind that the bird must be able to comfortably stretch both wings at the same time and room must be allowed for perches, feed bowls and toys)
Males are great whistlers and sometimes talkers, females are occasional whistlers but generally quieter.
Cost: Generally from $10 up to $200 for rarer mutations.
Mutations or Colours:
Lots!!
Normal Cock is a Grey with Yellow head and bright red cheeks and the female is also Grey but much duller colours on head and cheeks.
Dominant Colours: Normal, Silver.
Sex Linked Colours: Lutino, Cinnamon, Pearl, Platinum
Recessive Colours: Whiteface, Pied, Pastel, Fallow, Silver, Spangle
Breeding also produces many varieties of the above leading to an almost never ending list of variations and beautiful colours.
Here is a link to pics of many of the varieties: www.parrotpages.com/tielMutations.htm
Breeding:
Cockatiels breed all year round but remember, climate conditions can affect breeding and sufficient non-breeding rest periods are required to keep birds in tip-top condition.
Recommended minimum breeding age is 12 months for Cocks and 15 months for hens.
Nesting box size minimum 30cm x 30cm x 20cm.
Recommended nesting material is untreated wood shavings (pine) but there are some very suitable commercial products available.
The Cock prepares the nest, displays to the hen to stimulate breeding, breeding occurs and 1-3 weeks later, eggs are laid.
Clutches are usually of 2 to 6 eggs, laid every second day. Sitting should commence after the 3rd or 4th egg is laid. Gestation is between 19 and 21 days but can stretch a little further. Incubation is usually shared between the pair.
Inspection during incubation is usually hassle free and candling of eggs can be done 7-10 days after sitting has begun.
Here is a link to what to look for when candling eggs: animalscience.ucdavis.edu/research/parrot/d/d.htm
Ensure fresh fruit and veg to the parents is increased 2 weeks before expected hatching to allow the new parents to build up before feeding the new chicks commences.
Hand rearing can commence after about 10-14 days but should only be undertaken by experienced people only.
Weaning to solids is between 6-8 weeks old but with hand reared birds can be longer.
A good variety of seed and fresh fruit and veg are essential.
Problems/Issues:
General healthy and trouble free birds.
Possible health issues:
· Chlamydiosis
· Conjunctivitis
· Egg Binding
· Excessive egg laying
· Night Fright
There are links and discussions on all of the above in the Cockatiels the Information Sections of Smileys Birds.
General:
The cockatiel is a wonderful pet whether hand tame or aviary bird. They have loads of personality, bond very easily, and are playful and relatively easy to take care of. Some people say, a hand tame tiel released into an aviary will always remember its surrogate Mum or Dad.
They are one of the easiest birds to breed and many say, the best for any bird owner ready for the next step up to budding breeder. However, be prepared. Do your research and equip yourself with all the knowledge you can muster, just in case something, heaven forbid, does go wrong. Hand rearing is a learned skill and with tiels, like all new chicks, the sight of a baby growing up with your help is a wonderful experience.
Helpful Links:
Apart from the wealth of info and links we have here at Smileys Birds, these links may be useful.
www.cockatielsociety.org.au/index.htm
www.cockatiels.org/
www.parrotsociety.org.au/
I hope this has been helpful.
Scott
PS Don't forget to post your opinion or experience with this wonderful bird. Remember 50 words or less now
Scientific Name: Nymphicus Hollandicus
Other Names: Quarrion, Weero, Tiel
The cockatiel is native to Australia but can be found all over the world.
It is in the same family as the Cockatoos and Galahs.
Size is approx 30cm long
Common weight 80-110 grams
Life Span: Approx 15 years but known to live longer.
Housing: Minimum 50cm x 50cm x 50cm for one bird. (keeping in mind that the bird must be able to comfortably stretch both wings at the same time and room must be allowed for perches, feed bowls and toys)
Males are great whistlers and sometimes talkers, females are occasional whistlers but generally quieter.
Cost: Generally from $10 up to $200 for rarer mutations.
Mutations or Colours:
Lots!!
Normal Cock is a Grey with Yellow head and bright red cheeks and the female is also Grey but much duller colours on head and cheeks.
Dominant Colours: Normal, Silver.
Sex Linked Colours: Lutino, Cinnamon, Pearl, Platinum
Recessive Colours: Whiteface, Pied, Pastel, Fallow, Silver, Spangle
Breeding also produces many varieties of the above leading to an almost never ending list of variations and beautiful colours.
Here is a link to pics of many of the varieties: www.parrotpages.com/tielMutations.htm
Breeding:
Cockatiels breed all year round but remember, climate conditions can affect breeding and sufficient non-breeding rest periods are required to keep birds in tip-top condition.
Recommended minimum breeding age is 12 months for Cocks and 15 months for hens.
Nesting box size minimum 30cm x 30cm x 20cm.
Recommended nesting material is untreated wood shavings (pine) but there are some very suitable commercial products available.
The Cock prepares the nest, displays to the hen to stimulate breeding, breeding occurs and 1-3 weeks later, eggs are laid.
Clutches are usually of 2 to 6 eggs, laid every second day. Sitting should commence after the 3rd or 4th egg is laid. Gestation is between 19 and 21 days but can stretch a little further. Incubation is usually shared between the pair.
Inspection during incubation is usually hassle free and candling of eggs can be done 7-10 days after sitting has begun.
Here is a link to what to look for when candling eggs: animalscience.ucdavis.edu/research/parrot/d/d.htm
Ensure fresh fruit and veg to the parents is increased 2 weeks before expected hatching to allow the new parents to build up before feeding the new chicks commences.
Hand rearing can commence after about 10-14 days but should only be undertaken by experienced people only.
Weaning to solids is between 6-8 weeks old but with hand reared birds can be longer.
A good variety of seed and fresh fruit and veg are essential.
Problems/Issues:
General healthy and trouble free birds.
Possible health issues:
· Chlamydiosis
· Conjunctivitis
· Egg Binding
· Excessive egg laying
· Night Fright
There are links and discussions on all of the above in the Cockatiels the Information Sections of Smileys Birds.
General:
The cockatiel is a wonderful pet whether hand tame or aviary bird. They have loads of personality, bond very easily, and are playful and relatively easy to take care of. Some people say, a hand tame tiel released into an aviary will always remember its surrogate Mum or Dad.
They are one of the easiest birds to breed and many say, the best for any bird owner ready for the next step up to budding breeder. However, be prepared. Do your research and equip yourself with all the knowledge you can muster, just in case something, heaven forbid, does go wrong. Hand rearing is a learned skill and with tiels, like all new chicks, the sight of a baby growing up with your help is a wonderful experience.
Helpful Links:
Apart from the wealth of info and links we have here at Smileys Birds, these links may be useful.
www.cockatielsociety.org.au/index.htm
www.cockatiels.org/
www.parrotsociety.org.au/
I hope this has been helpful.
Scott
PS Don't forget to post your opinion or experience with this wonderful bird. Remember 50 words or less now
