Cockatiels - any experts on here please?

[catembi]

I'm having a problem with my tame cockatiel. He was hand reared & I bought him in August 2008 as a 7 or 8 week old. The breeder gave me some egg food for the first few days... but I can't get him off it.

He *can* eat seed, but he doesn't seem to like it. He's also still got the same seed bell & he's pecked a hole about the size of a 2p in it...whereas my 3 aviary cockatiels would destroy the whole thing in 2 or 3 days.

He seems cheerful enough, but I'm worried he's not getting enough nutrients. I'm currently feeding him Pet City (or whatever it's called now) breeding / moulting food, which he wants as a damp paste or he won't eat it. His poo is quite wet & the feathers in that area are a bit stained & wet. Also his beak on one side looks a bit damp.

I've had cockatiels for ages, but I've never had one that doesn't like seed. All suggestions much appreciated.

 

[Nudibranch]

I'm not an expert by any means but I've had cockatiels - can't say I remember any of them being fussy though. I'd take away the damp food and only offer seed, maybe a bit of greens in the morning. Be careful as birds can die of starvation very quickly, but if he's hungry then he should eat the seed! Have you tried any different seed bells? I think some are sweeter/more appealing than others so you could try experimenting.

 

[lauraanddolly]

Have you tried him on some millet? My cockatiels loved it, I'm not an expert either just had cockatiels for many years. I would second nudibranch's suggestion of taking away the damp food or maybe giving it too him every other day but have seed constantly available, to wean him off it gradually. The other thing my cockatiels loved was those egg biscuit things(similar to what you are feeding but its dry), not seed I know but it's something other than the damp food.
Would love to know how you get on, I lost my last cockatiel a few years ago and now live in a flat with a cat so I really do miss my birds!

 

[catembi]

Oooh yes, I forgot about millet. I've got some outside. Where do you get the egg biscuits from? Will also try a different seed bell. If he doesn't like it, the ganites outside will shred it in seconds. We're permanently at the feed merchants atm - 2 horses, 3 aviary cockatiels, tame cockatiel, stable cat, new Bengal kitten & new rescue rottie - so I'll have a look this week.