Abstract
The cockatiel has long been a favor- 1 i;e pet, exhibition, and aviary bird,
frequently reproducing when other psittacines
will not. Generally hardy in aviary
life, cockatiels come in an ever-growing
number of both subtle and eye-catching
color mutations, and handfed young can
make ideal pets.
Generally sweet and docile, cockatiels
should never be housed with larger, or
more aggressive birds, since they seldom
adequately defend themselves. Even
smaller, more quarrelsome species such
as budgies, some varieties oflovebirds and
certain finches, especially in mated pairs
or flocks, should be maintained separately
from cockatiels. Such species, and
other larger birds, could effectively monopolize
feed and water dishes,
preventing the less assertive cockatiel
from obtaining adequate nutrition.
Should the cockatiel find itself forced
further down the established pecking
order by other species, and increasingly
denied adequate food and water, such
continuous abuse could lead to malnutrition,
dehydration, and a lessening of
resistance to disease. Additionally, the
constant stress from fighting over territory
within a pen or aviary could impose
further stress-related disease, in addition
to the more obvious risk of injury, and
even death. Although the major factor
in such situations is usually the height,
and especially the length of the flight,
providing enough space for cockatiels to
escape bothersome individuals, even the
most spacious of aviaries may not be adequate
to deter known, or suspected,
aggressors.
Housing Small Collections
Generally, most fanciers precede their
larger collections with the acquisition of
either a few pets, or pairs of cockatiels,
kept in cages. This may be sufficient for
a period of time until the numbers begin
to grow, which is not difficult to
achieve if one is captivated by the variety
of color mutations, or should one begin
to successfully raise a few clutches of
young.
Standard cockatiel cages are quite suitable
for one or two pet birds who are
routinely allowed out of cages for daily
exercise to enhance their chances of living
a full life span. Of prime importance
is to secure cages equipped with cockatiel
bar-spacing, which will prevent a
cockatiel from forcing its head between
the vertical bars to become trapped, often
with devastating consequences
ranging from injury to death. The slightly
closer bar-spacing on specially designed
cockatiel cages prevents such tragedies.
Additionally, an increased number of
horizontal bars positioned along the vertical
bars will allow a cockatiel to climb
and effectively gain a secure foothold,
again preventing fatal accidents.
The removal of the bottom grid, positioned
just above the tray, will also
eliminate worry over whether an inquisitive
cockatiel may lodge its head between
the grid spacing, as it retrieves items from
the cage bottom, or even catch an open
leg band on the grid, both of which have
been known to happen. In general, brass,
chrome, or similar materials which allow
for adequate disinfecting practices should
be sought out. Some plastics might be
difficult to sterilize in hot temperatures,
while older, painted cages could contain
toxic lead paint, which can prove fatal if
swallowed. Utmost consideration should
be given to cages with more length, and
not just height, since cockatiels fly back
and forth, not up and down; and with
enough space to allow each bird to comfortably
stretch its wings and move
around.
Aviaries
Once population starts to increase,
large caging will become necessary. There
are now a number of excellent manufacturers
who offer modern, easy to assemble
enclosures, requiring simple maintenance
and upkeep. Many are on casters and can
be wheeled effortlessly to any location,
and may be dismantled and reassembled
should the need arise. Such pens may be
stackable, or come in double or triple
supporting frames, for fanciers with evergrowing
collections. Custom cut doors,
or self-cut side openings for nest boxes,
may be easily accomplished with attention
to blunting any jagged edges to the
newly cut wire.
Another option is to build your own
aviaries using clean, welded wire, or other
safe materials. It is not unusual for breeders
who have been raising birds for many
years to go through a metamorphosis
when designing their aviaries. The author
evolved through many changes
beginning with large, 11' long, walk-in
flights, composed of l/2"x1/2" welded
wire mounted on wooden frames. Eventually,
6' long aviaries were installed,
suspended off the floor by sturdy twelve
gauge wire legs, with custom cut doors
created for ease in servicing flights. In
recent years, walk-in flights by Corners
Limited were installed, which were also
chosen for their ease in maintenance, servicing,
and disinfecting, since all
materials are nonporous.
As the cockatiel is a swift, strong flyer,
it must be given adequate room to exercise
and maintain general good health
and condition. Therefore, as much space
as possible should be afforded to pairs,
especially to promote a lengthy, reproductive
life. Due to their flying ability,
emphasis should be placed on both the
length, and height, of flights. While the
depth of a flight need only be a minimum
of 8', it is recommended to raise
flights to at least 6' to 8' to help build
chest muscle when birds fly upward, and
perhaps 10' to 20' in length, if space is
available. Although the author has kept
cockatiels in pens only 6' long for the
last several years, it has not appeared to
be a deterrent to reproductive life, however,
the birds would no doubt be happier
in larger accommodations.
Materials should be selected carefully,
with good disinfecting tactics kept in
mind. For example, the author's original
wood-framed, wire aviaries were eventu
ally torn out in favor of all-wire and
aluminum construction, as wood, being
porous, could potentially harbor harmful
bacterias, etc. Additionally, white pine
chips used over the years were abandoned
in favor of thoroughly dried, uncolored
newspaper, merely for easy of use and
increased frequency in cleaning measures.
Certainly other materials such as cedar
chips, the newer crushed walnut shells,
or corn cob bedding can be used to line
aviaries, however, the latter material must
remain dry and free from moisture.