Species-appropriate husbandry of cockatiels
When it comes to the species-appropriate husbandry of ornamental birds such as the cockatiel, the general question arises: How species-appropriate is species-appropriate? Nature has given the Nymphicus hollandicus wings so that it can experience the world from above – free as a bird in the outback of Australia.
Is the cockatiel also outlawed in the aviary? In this article we will tell you what species-appropriate keeping of cockatiels means. You will learn many interesting facts about the origin, lifestyle and diet of these special ornamental birds. If you’re toying with the idea of getting a flock of cockatiels yourself, read on. There are a few things you should pay attention to when keeping cockatiels so that your birds can lead a healthy and happy life. It’s great that you’re finding out – let’s get started!
Keeping cockatiels as pets: what needs to be considered?
Cockatiels have a high urge to move, which is why it is particularly important for this species of bird to be able to pursue their natural need for free flight as often as possible. But that should actually apply to all birds that are kept as pets. If we decide to give these feathered species a home outside of their natural habitat, it is our responsibility to ensure that they lack nothing!
So for your cockatiels you need at least a large aviary, if not your own bird room. In addition, the birds must have a daily opportunity to fly outside their cage.
A cockatiel never comes alone! The birds live monogamously in pairs in large flocks. They are strongly fixated on their conspecifics and have a pronounced swarm behavior.
Keeping cockatiels alone is against animal welfare and can cause stress, behavioral problems and even death for the small cockatoo species!
To give your cockatiels a healthy and vital life, it is also important that you feed them well. Only feed your birds what they are allowed to eat. You can find out what you need to know about indoor plants and setting up the bird aviary further down in the text.
Which cage is suitable for cockatiels?
The minimum dimensions of a cage or an aviary (because cages are all too small!) for a pair of cockatiels are 200 x 65 x 150 centimeters (width x depth x height). However, you are welcome to opt for a larger aviary, especially if you keep more than two animals! The rule is: the more space, the better!
It is much nicer for your cockatiels if they can form a small flock of 6 to 10 or more animals.
The right location for the cockatiel aviary
For a cozy and safe feeling, it is advisable to place the aviary in a corner of a room. So the birds are protected from two sides by a wall. You can, in turn, protect your walls from the well-known “nibble attacks” of your nymphs with a cork covering. Avoid connecting rooms and places where there is a draft. The right location for the aviary is not in the blazing sun, but is still bright and flooded with light.
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