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Post by josiedownunda on May 19, 2005 12:44:22 GMT 10
Hi everyone,
I am currently trying to gather some information to write an article about preparing our cockatiels for the cooler winter months. I would love to hear about anything anyone does to help make the cooler months a bit easier for their birds. Things like alterations to their diet or housing etc would be great.
Thanks
Jo-Anne
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Post by hillcresttiels on May 19, 2005 15:30:45 GMT 10
Hi Jo-Anne the following is related to my Cockatiels. Firstly around March here in Melb i seperate all cocks and hens bar a few devoted pairs,by the end of April the seed mix changes dramatically with extra 5%of Hulled Oates and an extra 5% of Grey Sunflower added to a 60%Budgie Mix and 30% Super Canary Mix along with their sprouts 3 times a week Endive/Corn 1-2 time weekly and i find that diet along with a good Calcium/Mineral grit ample for the upcoming breeding season and for the fattening of breeders and youngsters!  cheers Frank |
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Post by AussieBirds on May 19, 2005 19:45:36 GMT 10
Hi Frank I notice in your post that you feed sprouts 3 times a week and the corn and endive 1-2 times a week, is this a winter only diet or is this the norm for your birds. If it is winter only could you please explain why and conversally if it is the norm could you do likewise please.
John
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Post by hillcresttiels on May 19, 2005 20:24:35 GMT 10
Hi John as i have studied Tiels in the wild in both Winter and Summer I am astounded that my observations are always of fit healthy tight feathering with the majority of wild Tiels, but yet during winter months their diet seems to be basic seeds and grasses (solid foods)with very little vegetation consumed! ::)This has a lot to do with my reasoning behind feeding the quantities of sprout and vegetation as although very nutritional it doesn't assist with fat content needed to store for the upcoming breeding season! :)I do strongly believe that moderation is the key as most bird owners overdo the feeding!  apart from introducing a huge variety of different vegies and sprouts at the end of the day i have succefully proven to myself that the feeding regime I apply covers most needs in a Cockatiels diet! Over doing it in winter just makes it come out the other end. Remember this is different when breeding and chicks are in the nest as then it becomes a daily intake plus more supplements are required. This is how I like to feed my birds and I can honestly say I lose very little and breed quite a few! hope this helped explain why cheers, Frank |
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Post by lovemytiels on May 20, 2005 7:02:41 GMT 10
Hi Jo-anne, here in Adelaide it can get mighty cold, wet & windy, so I like to block half of my avairy off with some good shade cloth so that they can get added protection from the weather but still leave enough open for sunshine to get in. I reduce the amount of veggies, fruit & sprouts too but I then add LSA (ground up linseed, sunflower & almond meal) to a oil based good seed mix as this will supply a good source of protein, fat & essential omega 6 oils essential for the cold winters here along with a calcium supplement mixed with garlic powder as garlic is a natural anti biotic. Apart from the 2 hens I lost at breeding time this year, havent lost any tiels for years. Cheers for now Anna
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ziki
Newbie
Posts: 24
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Post by ziki on May 20, 2005 18:42:15 GMT 10
hi i only have 2 tiels (boy + girl both 1 year old) and they go in their avary during the day and i bring them inside for night and put them on a carpet square so the cold doesnt get to them from the floor. ;D
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Post by ollie on May 20, 2005 19:19:43 GMT 10
Being in Brisbane, don't have to do a lot to prepare for winter but tonight it is mighty cool. I have tarps to put around fronts of cages for very cold nights and as we are on the Logan River we sometimes get frosts. Overall Brisbane's winter is quite mild. Patio pets come inside in winter at night but love to be out on the patio during the day.
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Post by pollyparrot on May 21, 2005 4:29:14 GMT 10
i use tarps too but id like to get hold of some hessian bags as they are supposed to keep the warmth in
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Post by lovemytiels on May 21, 2005 5:31:23 GMT 10
Hi Polly, I know our local grain & produce store sells the hessian bags real cheap if you have one near you. Also the fruit & vegetable stores use to have them when they got big bags of spuds so you could try there also. Cheers Anna
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Post by pollyparrot on May 21, 2005 6:32:53 GMT 10
thanks anna will give them a try  |
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Post by josiedownunda on May 24, 2005 13:09:44 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for your input. I have put something together that is basically just made up of peoples comments. We will see how it is received when the journal gets published. Keep fingers crossed!!!!LOL
Jo-Anne
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Post by ollie on May 24, 2005 16:48:16 GMT 10
Hi Vicki I think you can buy hesson by the metre at the big hardware shops they use it on construction sites to keep out the wind etc.
Bev
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Post by pollyparrot on May 25, 2005 5:30:18 GMT 10
really!!! thanks bev ill check it out
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Post by Bentayle on Jun 9, 2005 11:00:04 GMT 10
Vicki, just an idea but you may want to check with family for hessian bags first. My grandfather had a stack of them in his carport he didn't want. Most families have one hoarder in their midst. May be worth a try.
Kazz
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cheers Frank
apart from introducing a huge variety of different vegies and sprouts at the end of the day i have succefully proven to myself that the feeding regime I apply covers most needs in a Cockatiels diet! Over doing it in winter just makes it come out the other end. Remember this is different when breeding and chicks are in the nest as then it becomes a daily intake plus more supplements are required. This is how I like to feed my birds and I can honestly say I lose very little and breed quite a few! 
