FEEDING

I try as far as possible to give the birds a varied diet throughout the year. Seed alone is not sufficient and has to be supplemented with fruit and vegetables.

SEEDS

I buy my bird seed in 12.5 kg. or 25 kg. bags as this is better value for me. Because I have a number of birds there is no problem with seed lying for too long before being eaten. I serve up a regular cockatiel mixture and supplement with either panicum millet or white millet. I tend to buy these from a well known supplier John E. Haith Ltd. I’ve always had good service from them and the seed is always top quality and delivered to the door in a matter of a few days from ordering. They have almost everything for birds that you could need including feeders , nest boxes and wild bird supplies. Have a look at their web site at www.haiths.com

Millet sprays are a real treat for cockatiels and I give them daily. It gives a bit of a challenge to them to pick off their own food rather than just out of the dish.

OTHER FOODS

In the run up to and during breeding I also serve egg food. It is easily softened for the parents feeding to the chicks and, although some books will tell you to do so, I don’t mix it with water first. I allow the parents to decide on the correct consistency. I have no doubt that someone will disagree with me but, it works for me and my birds, so I’m leaving well alone.

Grit is another item which must be readily available and I top the dish up every day. Cuttlefish bone and mineral blocks are also always in the feeding area as well as the all important water.

Fruit and vegetables are eaten with great gusto but like humans, not all birds will eat all foods. With this in mind I try to give a selection daily so that everyone will try something. Some of the favourites are apple, grapes, carrot, baby sweetcorn, lettuce, spring greens and melon but they will tackle most things. They don’t take immediately to new foods and you may have to give them two or three times before they are savoured.

In summer and early autumn I give the birds some fresh vegetation to either destroy or eat as they choose. Because I live in the country I have a plentiful supply of safe vegetation and can vary the diet. Elder flowers are a treat for them but I think there is more destruction than eating done, while elder berries are certainly eaten with great gusto as is easily seen by the beaks and the droppings. A favourite branch to gnaw at is crab apple so it is relished too. Hawthorn is just as popular but more painful (for me) to cut. Conifers too give exercise in the form of destruction and when the hedges are trimmed they get some too. It is as if they wait for me to exit the flight area and within seconds are, en-masse ,destroying the foliage until only bare stems are left.

I do try to vary what they get because I reason that I wouldn’t like the same thing all the time and it is always fun to try something different and watch the reaction.

At this point I should say that with the exception of the branches I do not feed outside in the flight area, only in the hut.

I feel that this encourages them to go into the hut and prepares them for winter when they are shut in at night. It also saves me having to chase round the flight at dead of night trying to force them inside. It’s not good for them or me.