Cockatiels

Diet:

• Fresh Chop Daily

• Fresh fruits daily

• Pellets formulated for small parrots- we recommend brands such as: Tops, Birdstreet and Harrisons.

• Millet

• Limited but still offer seeds

• Foods to stay away from: Avocado and Chocolate.

Although wild cockatiels eat grass seeds almost exclusively, avian veterinarians recommend captive birds' diets be supplemented with foods such as organic fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, pasta, whole grain bread and other healthy human foods, as well as pellets formulated for small parrots. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is relatively low in fat, for seeds mixes.

Foods to stay away from: Avocado and Chocolate.

How to transition:

Cockatiels do not always adapt readily to dietary additions. The key is to be patient and persistent. At first, they may be wary of new foods, but after a few weeks they may come around. Try giving an organic carrot with sopping wet carrot top greens or wet kale in a shallow bowl, and as they bathe they will nibble on the greens. Also try weaving greens through the bars of the cage for shredding.

Remember to change out the old green/fruits on the daily.