Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    	First you need to determine if the bird is actually pulling out
    feathers or just preening.  Sometime my Cockatiel seems to be pulling
    out feathers but if it's molting time, it's just part of his preening
    and the feathers would come out anyways.  If the bird is actually 
    pulling out feathers it is a sign of something wrong.  I am no
    expert but there are a few reasons why a bird may pluck feathers, he
    may just be bored and a few new toys may help he may also have mites
    in which case you need to treat that (do you have a bird protector on
    his cage?).  Kind of off the subject, if your daughter would like to
    learn more and is really interested in birds, you may consider getting
    a subscription to Bird Talk magazine, it usually has some really good
    articles on care of pet birds.
    
    Tom

    Tom,
    
    I wanted to get a look at a "Bird Talk" Magazine.  Where could I pick
    one up?  They don't carry them in the Grocery Store.   Maybe I have to
    go to a big book store, like Barnes and Noble?
    
    Wendy

    wendy,
           I suscribe and would be willing to let you
    borrow a couple of issues. There should be subscription
    cards in there as well. Write to me @ gerbil::magee  or
    call dtn 264-7321 if interested. 
    
    chet

    
    I found it at a local pet store.  If you want to send me your mailstop
    over E-Mail, I can send you a subscription postcard.
    
    Tom

I finally purchased my first bird since the finches I owned as a teenager.

He (I think it's a he) is a young, hand fed, cinnamon pearl cockatiel.

I brought him home last night.  He is very sweet and though I tried to
leave him alone in his cage (to get over the trauma of the move)
he begged to be let out.  He had a great time sitting on my lap and
playing with my ring.

I also own two cats and I am concerned about keeping my new bird safe and
happy.  One of my cats is very gentle and seems to have hardly any hunting
instincts at all.  She won't eat anything except cat food.

My other cat is the one I am concerned about.  She brings home birds, mice,
and even chipmunks and rabbits.

I am taking the following precautions:

- suspended the cage to prevent it from ever being knocked over.
- stationed the water bottle near by.  I will use it whenever a cat gets too
  close.
- I plan on letting his flight feathers grow back in.  I know I run other
  risks by doing this, but I can't bear having cats around and this guy
  with no flight feathers.
- The cats are put outdoors whenever the bird is out.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Roseanne

    Other Cockatiel notes:
    
   323   SALSA::DEFRANCO     26-FEB-1990     7  New Cockatiel owner:Need advice!
   326   SALSA::DEFRANCO      7-MAR-1990     2  HELP - More noise than expected!
   564  TOOHOT::SREMILLARD   10-JUN-1991     5  Taco is HOME!
   578   MECCA::KERBY        16-JUL-1991     2  HELP!!! JEALOUS COCKATIEL WITH 
   581  BONJVI::PIERCE       31-JUL-1991     3  HELP! cockitel layed eggs w/
   586   KAOFS::LIGHTMAN      2-AUG-1991     5  three cockatiel eggs...novice
   587   MYGUY::LANDINGHAM    6-AUG-1991    16  Wounded Tiel Admitted to Hospit
   588  WLDWST::L_MARTINEZ   11-AUG-1991     0  Help with breeding Cockatiels??
   678  RUNTUF::MAGEE        13-APR-1992     6  Read quick- Reply Quicker !!!
   720   CIVIC::MCETTRICK    10-AUG-1992     1  UPDATE ON DOLLY W/QUESTIONS
   744   SWAM1::DEFRANCO_JE  23-OCT-1992     1  Outdoor Aviary
    

    My cockatiels sometimes seem to be shievering slightly -- usually, but 
    not always when I get them up in the morning.  I had been keeping my
    apartment at about 70.  I've jacked it up to 75, which helped at first
    but isn't any more.
    
    As soon as they start climbing around they are fine -- if I can get
    them going.  But on workdays, I can't spend time playing with them --
    just have enough to change their food and water.
    
    Would appreciate any advice.  thanks.

    Do you cover them at night??  If so, you may want to only uncover the
    front of the cage, during the winter!  That is what we did with Zephyr,
    as he seemed cold too!  If you don't cover them, you might want to
    think about it, as they seek shelter at night, and are more comfortable
    being covered!

    I do cover their cage at night, with a moderately heavy (although
    unlined) curtain.  Actually, I'm thinking maybe of getting a next box
    attachment for their cage.  If I do that, can I take it off when I'm at
    home so they can come out and play?  They like to sit on their porch,
    climb around their tray, visit the finches on the next tray (I have
    their cages sitting on trays -- gives them some stability and catches
    much of the seed droppings), etc.
    
    Mary

    I have wondered what the best temperature is for my lovebirds
    during the winter.  While I would love to keep the heat on all
    day, we have electric heat so we have an automatic set back
    during the day as well as at night.  We don't let the birds'
    room (used to be the living room!) get below 62 degrees.  They 
    don't seem to mind at all.  At night they are covered with a heavy
    sheet.
    Turning the heat higher actually makes them somewhat lethargic.
    BTW - the air gets very dry in our home in the winter so we also
    have a humidifier.
    I keep telling them if they were not spoiled house birds, they would
    have to get used to much colder weather!
    nmp

    Well, Sushi seemed fine this morning.  I'm not certain that the
    trembling is shivering --I'm just interpreting it as such.  Other than
    that, she seems perfectly fine and happy.  I thought perhaps she wasn't
    eating, but couldn't tell for sure since when she's out of her cage she
    visits the finches next door and pecks at their spilled seed (as well
    as climbing up their cage and stealing from any hanging treats)!  But
    last evening their was a huge pile of sunflower seed shells by the
    dinner dish, so it looks like the appetite is fine.
    
    So I'm just going to keep an eye on her and slowly start lowering the
    temp back to something a little more normal.

    Well, I'm not a cockateil expert, but...it seems that the actual
    temperature doesn't matter as much as keeping any draft off them.
    Unless of course the temperature gets to arctic.  Anyway, as someone
    else said, we keep the back of the cage covered with a thick towel.
    
    gwen

    As far as I can determine, there really is no draft on them.  They are
    on an inner wall of my living room.  The windows have storm windows.
    On very windy days, I can feel a little cool air at the corners
    of the windows if I have my finger right up against them, but by the
    time you are a couple inches away it can't be felt.  There is heat duct
    right under the windows, so the cool air gets mixed in pretty quickly. 
    The birdies are quite a good distance from that.  And I cover their
    cage completely at night, with a moderately heavy curtain.
    
    Anway, so far I haven't seen any sign of illness.  Actually, they have
    settled in so well that Saki has taken to standing on one leg while
    napping.

    re: .12.  I agree, Cockateils can take lower temps but its the drafts
    that cause them to become ill.  At least that is what I've always read
    and heard.  We keep our house at about 65 and Cory doesn't mind at all,
    in fact when he takes a bath, he only does so in cold water, then we
    towel dry him and make sure he's not in a draft and he is fine.  
    
    
    Tom