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i found a cockatiel out doors he now has proper food a

Sent to Pet Experts January 10 07:56 PM

I found a cockatiel out doors. He now has proper food, a cage, I cover him at night, etc...I have no idea what to do as I've never owned a bird. He seems to be itching himself. He is missing some hair around his neck area. He is rough around the edges, but I hope to bring him around. (yellow head dress and orange cheeks) How can I tell how old he is? Do I need to do any thing else? I got him a little swing. He is eating often. I always peek at him and he is ALWAYS eating. What are mites and could that be the reason for the scratching and missing hair near his neck? Some one told me they are noisy, however, he hardly has made sounds at all. Very quiet! My dog or cat wont hurt it, can it be in the same atmosphere without getting sick?
Thanks for your help. I anxiously await your answers.
Kindest regards,                                        &n bsp;                                                    Denise Zientek
Denise

Optional Information:
Breed: Cockatiel Bird

Already Tried:
Askin friends and other owners of birds

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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January 10 8:46 PM (42 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
It will not let us pick it up without flapping its wings and a squak here or there. It was all we could do to get it in the cage. The only time it was held and calm was when I went to the store to buy cage (20 minutes or so) My husband cupped him in his hand and he was still for a short while until we transfered him to cage. Now he goes to the other side of cage when we stick finger or hand in there. He avoids us. We have been whisteling and talking very softly to him. He is eating all the time. Is there a limit on how much he should eat or should I leave it for him at all times as I do with water?

Nutriphase Cockatiel Formula is the food I bought.

no redness at all, but missing hair on top of head and underneath neck area.
Thanks again in advance for your help. Much appreciated~
Denise
Reply
January 10 8:59 PM (10 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
Reply to ZooCVT's Post: yes, he tries to bite if we attempt to pick him up. He lets you get close if you go slow, but once we put our hands on him, he attempts biting, yes.
Answer
January 10 9:45 PM (46 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Ok sorry for all the questions but what I was trying to get at was his age...usually when they are more quiet and they attempt to bite but really aren't hurting you when they do, it can mean they are very young but thats not always a for sure. As for the bald spots...they do normally have a bald spot under their crest and they will have a natural baldspot on their neck over their jugular but the scratching thing isn't normal. He may have picked up something when he was flying free. It may also be a female so consider that. Males do tend to be better talkers but if its a young bird, you may not know that for a while. I would have your vet do a health check on him to make sure everything seems ok with him. You can feed him whatever you eat but do avoid things like onions and avocado's. Feeding him a varied diet or a pelleted diet is best because with an all seed diet, they tend to pick out what they like and thats usually the seeds that have no nutritional value like sunflower seeds. With a Be sure that he isn't near a draft. Things like fireplaces can also cause respiratory issues. Also be sure to be very careful when using teflon coated cookware because if you burn something in a teflon coated pan, the fumes can be toxic to any birds.




Let me know if you have any other questions
Good Luck &
Best Fishes
Reply
January 10 10:22 PM (36 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
Reply to ZooCVT's Post: what about the issue of mites? Could that be causing him to itch and what is the cure. Funds are low and a vet visit is not feesable at this time. Although I don't want him neglected any more than he already has been. Is it normal for it to have bald spot on the top of his head?

So he CAN eat bread etc...? I heard they are very particular and could get ill from just any food, but if you say so. I'm going to try to give him some wheat bread if you think it's ok? What about bananas? kernal corn from a can?

Thanks and this will be the last time I bother you!
Denise

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on January 10 2006 at 10:23 PM
Answer
January 11 10:13 PM (23 hours and 51 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Fresh fruits an veggies are best....I would do bread and everything else in moderation. I wouldn't treat for mites because without an exam, its hard to tell if thats actually the problem...He may just be doing nervous picking/scratching because of stress...He's new to your home and no one knows how long he had been out on his own...I would keep his life as stress free as possible until you can afford a vet visit.


Let me know if you have any other questions
Good Luck &
Best Fishes
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