h2opolostar
05-05-2006, 09:06 PM
Hello everyone,
Im new here and am already finding that this forum is a great community. Im thinking of buying a cockatiel, and was looking into cages. Here was one that i was looking at:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7089&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025466&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023691&bmUID=1146881236508&itemNo=1&In=Bird&N=2025466&Ne=2
I wanted a bigger one, but i also want one with 4 dishes, and the only bigger ones with 4 dishes are the same width and depth but alot higher, which i dont really want. If i got this one, the cockatiel would be spending atleast 1 hour out of its cage a day, mabye more, except that out of cage time would be difficult becasue i have two cats. But i would try to let it out more if I possibly could. if anyone has any reccomendations for better cages with 4 dishes that aren't like 300$ that would be great. Do you think it is possible to replace those dishes on the cage wtih hooded ones to prevent the bird soiling its food?
Also, those of you with cats and birds, do you just lock your cats up when your bird is out, or do you never allow them into the room the bird is in. The latter would be very difficult for me as one of my cats (a female calico who is almost creepily smart) is a kind of escape artist. She can often open doors and manages to escape out the garage door whenever we open it. (indoor cat) So, my point is, would it be ok to just lock the cats up in another part of the house when the bird is out?
I have more questions too, so if this post is getting too long, please bear with me.
Perches, i have heard that natural braches are the best, but i am very nervous about finding non-poisonous ones that are free of pesticides. So, could i sand dowels in some parts so that the diameter is never the same, kind of like a natural branch, until i can locate some safe branches?
Here is a list of the things i THINK i need. Am i missing anything useful or necessary? Or is there anything i should remove from the list?
Cage
Toys- One excersice toy (rings?) Mabye one chewing toy and one spring?
Cuttle bone and holder
some millet spray for treat
High quality seed mix
Bird pellets
Veggies and Fruits (well i alrady have those just mentioning them anyways)
Newspaper (again already have it)
Perches as mentioned before and mabye a terracotta one?
water bottle? or should i just use on dish as a water dish?
Grit? i have heard varied opinions on its necessity for cockatiels, do i need it?
Spray bottle
Cage cover, ill just use a towel i guess
Small nightlight
When i go away for two weeks in june, do you think i should leave the bird at my house, and let my neighbour take care of it. (shes never kept birds, but has always taken good care of my other pets. Or, should i take the bird to my friend (has 3 birds) where it would have lots of out time each day. Or would this be to stressful for the bird?
Oh and another question: For cage placement, i have a problem. I know that cockatiels are social birds, and like to be in the middle of things, so my first choice would be the family room, where we spend most of our time, but we have a type of great room, that is, theres no wall between the kitchen and the TV room (family room) just a few steps and a railing... I have heard that tons of things in kitchens are bad for birds, but if the cage was on the complete other side of the room from the kitchen, would it be ok?
I wouldnt let the bird out in the family, only put the cage there. And it would be across the room from big sliding glass doors, so it would be protected from drafts, but still have a window view. I was just wondering if fumes fromt eh kitchen would be harmful, because there is no wall. I suppose i could put the cage in my bedroom, but the bird would be around people much more if it was in the family room.
Ill post more questions as i think of them.. That you for sticking with me through that long post.
Im new here and am already finding that this forum is a great community. Im thinking of buying a cockatiel, and was looking into cages. Here was one that i was looking at:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7089&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025466&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023691&bmUID=1146881236508&itemNo=1&In=Bird&N=2025466&Ne=2
I wanted a bigger one, but i also want one with 4 dishes, and the only bigger ones with 4 dishes are the same width and depth but alot higher, which i dont really want. If i got this one, the cockatiel would be spending atleast 1 hour out of its cage a day, mabye more, except that out of cage time would be difficult becasue i have two cats. But i would try to let it out more if I possibly could. if anyone has any reccomendations for better cages with 4 dishes that aren't like 300$ that would be great. Do you think it is possible to replace those dishes on the cage wtih hooded ones to prevent the bird soiling its food?
Also, those of you with cats and birds, do you just lock your cats up when your bird is out, or do you never allow them into the room the bird is in. The latter would be very difficult for me as one of my cats (a female calico who is almost creepily smart) is a kind of escape artist. She can often open doors and manages to escape out the garage door whenever we open it. (indoor cat) So, my point is, would it be ok to just lock the cats up in another part of the house when the bird is out?
I have more questions too, so if this post is getting too long, please bear with me.
Perches, i have heard that natural braches are the best, but i am very nervous about finding non-poisonous ones that are free of pesticides. So, could i sand dowels in some parts so that the diameter is never the same, kind of like a natural branch, until i can locate some safe branches?
Here is a list of the things i THINK i need. Am i missing anything useful or necessary? Or is there anything i should remove from the list?
Cage
Toys- One excersice toy (rings?) Mabye one chewing toy and one spring?
Cuttle bone and holder
some millet spray for treat
High quality seed mix
Bird pellets
Veggies and Fruits (well i alrady have those just mentioning them anyways)
Newspaper (again already have it)
Perches as mentioned before and mabye a terracotta one?
water bottle? or should i just use on dish as a water dish?
Grit? i have heard varied opinions on its necessity for cockatiels, do i need it?
Spray bottle
Cage cover, ill just use a towel i guess
Small nightlight
When i go away for two weeks in june, do you think i should leave the bird at my house, and let my neighbour take care of it. (shes never kept birds, but has always taken good care of my other pets. Or, should i take the bird to my friend (has 3 birds) where it would have lots of out time each day. Or would this be to stressful for the bird?
Oh and another question: For cage placement, i have a problem. I know that cockatiels are social birds, and like to be in the middle of things, so my first choice would be the family room, where we spend most of our time, but we have a type of great room, that is, theres no wall between the kitchen and the TV room (family room) just a few steps and a railing... I have heard that tons of things in kitchens are bad for birds, but if the cage was on the complete other side of the room from the kitchen, would it be ok?
I wouldnt let the bird out in the family, only put the cage there. And it would be across the room from big sliding glass doors, so it would be protected from drafts, but still have a window view. I was just wondering if fumes fromt eh kitchen would be harmful, because there is no wall. I suppose i could put the cage in my bedroom, but the bird would be around people much more if it was in the family room.
Ill post more questions as i think of them.. That you for sticking with me through that long post.