What to feed the cockatiel?

A charming parrot with a perky yellow tuft on his head, which can be taught to speak - this is Corell. It is not surprising that such an exotic bird is very popular among Russian breeders. However, if you decide to take a crested parrot into your home, then you need to know how to provide him with proper care, how to pick up a cage, and most importantly - how and what to feed him, which products must be present in the diet of the feathered pet. Details about the nutrition of Corella tell in the article.

Australia’s homeland and place of residence is Corell. These crested parrots prefer to settle near rivers and lakes in open areas covered with grass and a few shrubs.

In nature, Corellas feed mainly on plant seeds, nuts, tree fruits and eucalyptus juice. They also love grains of wheat and other cereals, therefore, they often “raid” on the fields of local farmers.

At home, Corellans need to ensure proper and complete nutrition, which will contain the necessary amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as the full range of vitamins and trace elements.

Cereals should be the basis for feeding crested parrots. In addition to cereals, the diet of the shell should also include fruits, vegetables, berries and greens. Protein products must also be given to a feathered pet, because protein is the main building material of the cells. And in winter, during the stages of incubation of chicks and the change of plumage, it is impossible to do without additional complex of vitamins and trace elements.

You need to add food once a day. It is advisable to do this in the evening after cleaning the cage. The optimal amount of feed is 30 grams. During the day the parrot already distributes all the food into several portions.

For Corella chicks, if the parents refuse to feed them themselves, it is better to purchase them at the pet store ready dry mix. It is diluted in water and given to babies every 1 or 2 hours. Starting from two weeks of age, the interval between meals increases to 4 hours.

Pet shops sell special dry feeds for Corella, which are a mixture of different types of cereals, sometimes with the addition of nuts and dried vegetables. You need to choose only high-quality and reputable brands of both foreign and domestic manufacturers. Weight feed is better not to buy, as it can be expired and contain insect larvae and mold.

Daily Corell requires 20 to 40 grams of cereals. This is about two or three tablespoons. The composition of grain feed should include several crops.

• Millet - This is the main element of the grain mixture, its share should be 50%. Parrots can be given millet of different colors, but red is preferable, since it leads in the number of useful substances.
• Wheat - it should be given to the bird only germinated or soaked, due to the high content of vitamin E, it is indispensable during the rearing period of chicks and during the mating season.
• Oats - contains vitamin E and a complex of vitamins of group B.
• Corn - it contains a complete set of trace elements, as well as fiber, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.Corn is rich in carbohydrates, but poor in proteins, therefore, it is impossible to feed only it with parrots.
• Canary seed (or canary) - due to the fact that it comes from the Canary Islands, where it grows, this grass is quite expensive, but very useful: it has a high protein content and almost a full set of vitamins and trace elements necessary for the bird. It is desirable that this grain is present in the diet of Corella at least in small quantities, especially in winter.

Useful for feathered pet will also barley, peas, seeds of flax, pumpkin, hemp, sesame and field weeds. However, their share in the grain mixture should be low. Sunflower seeds - also a useful cereal, but due to the high content of vegetable fat, it should not be given every day and in limited quantities.

Instead of purchased feed, you can feed the parrot with germinated grains - they are much more useful than dry ones, since they contain more biologically active substances: vitamins, trace elements and various enzymes. Wheat and barley are most often germinated, although this can be done with any cereal separately or by mixing them.

To germinate, we place the grains on a bandage moistened with water and cover them from above. We are waiting for a few days before the appearance of white shoots. Germinated sprouts should be kept in the refrigerator. Shelf life should not exceed 48 hours.

You can periodically indulge your favorite pet with cereals, but you need to cook them only on water, without salt and without adding any seasonings. Corella love to eat boiled buckwheat, oatmeal, rice, peas and barley. You can make porridge from different cereals, and then add pieces of berries, fruits or vegetables to it.

In the wild, the Corella feeds on herbs, plant shoots and tree leaves. Therefore, greens should be present in the homemade bird menu, but only fresh. It can be added to a vegetable mix or porridge. For Corella are useful different types of green plants:

• plantain;
• dandelion leaves;
• grape leaves;
• nettle;
• clover;
• lettuce leaves;
• spinach;
• asparagus;
• carrot tops;
• spring onions;
• branches of various trees (birch, willow, maple and others).

Parrots should not be given only spicy herbs, that is, those that have a strong smell and are used in cooking to give the dishes a distinct flavor.. These include parsley, celery, dill, mint, basil and others.

Although Corellas love to gnaw nuts, their excess for birds is harmful, because such food contains a large percentage of vegetable fat. Abuse of nuts can lead to metabolic disorders and obesity, which is already a tendency in domestic parrots. Therefore, nuts should be only 5% of the total food they receive.

Peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts should be preferred. But it is also possible in small doses to give the parrot acorns, pistachios, almonds and chestnuts. It is only necessary to pre-peel the nuts, peel the shell, and then ceiling or cut into small pieces. You can add them to the grain mixture.

They contain vitamins and fiber, so they must be present in the diet of the feathered pet. Corell vegetables should be given fresh, thoroughly washed and raw, as the nutrients are destroyed during cooking.

You can feed the parrot with almost any fruit. But the following products will be most useful:

• carrot;
• beet;
• cucumber;
• pumpkin, zucchini, turnip and other pumpkin;
• any cabbage;
• tomatoes;
• beans, green peas and other legumes;
• pepper, especially Bulgarian and sweet.

This is another source of nutrients, they increase the immunity of the avian organism and increase its energy potential. Fruits can be given almost everything except avocado, persimmon, mango and papaya, as they contain essential oils harmful to birds. But for parrots apples, grapes, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, bananas, oranges and tangerines, pomegranates, grapefruit will be very useful. Sweet fruits should be given no more than once every four days, and bananas even less often, since they are very nutritious and high-calorie.

Fruit must be fresh.. Feathery pet they are given in the form of peeled and cut into pieces. You can mix several types of fruit, preparing a kind of salad. And you can - add to the porridge or supplement them with a grain mixture.

They are just a storehouse of vitamins and must be included in the menu of the feathered pet. Berries fit any: currant, cherry, gooseberry, honeysuckle, cranberries, cranberries, strawberries and other forest fruits.

In the summer, it is necessary to give them to the cockatiel fresh, if possible, then freshly picked. And with the end of the summer season, you need to transfer the bird to frozen berries: the concentration of vitamins in them is also quite high, but before you feed them to the parrot, the berries need to be defrosted.

Dried options are a bit worse, since they contain fewer useful substances, but it’s better to give such than none at all. Pre-need to soak them, then add to cereal or fruit mixture.

Protein consists of all tissues and organs therefore, it is important that it enters the body in sufficient quantities.

Animal protein, which in the wild birds received from insects, can be replaced by vegetable. A lot of it is contained in chicken eggs and cottage cheese. The first product is given only in boiled form, and the second should be low-fat or low-fat.

In a Corella cage, it must always be clean. preferably filtered or distilled water. You can offer a parrot also mineral water, but not carbonated. Compotes and juices (berries and fruits) will also be useful for feathered members of the family, especially in winter and spring, during the period of beriberi. If the parrot is sick, add to its daily diet. herbal decoctions of plantain, chamomile or calendula. You can periodically water them and for preventive purposes.

In winter, when there is a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as during the nesting and feeding periods of the young, the parrots need to buy vitamin complexes and mineral supplements.

The composition of the first must include vitamins A, E, D and vitamins of group B. Of the mineral supplements, the poultry's body is most in need of calcium - it strengthens the bone apparatus, teeth, claws, beak and makes the plumage strong. Chalk (or chalky stone) is rich in calcium, it is especially useful when eggs are hatching - their shell becomes harder and stronger.

Given to parrots a piece of chalk crushed to the consistency of the powder form. Bone flour - is also a source of calcium, and also contains phosphorus, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is best to give this additive to the bird during the plumage period. It is a lot of calcium and in a shell of eggs, only previously it needs to be washed and crushed into powder.

Charcoal, in addition to calcium and iron, contains a large set of trace elements, in addition, it removes toxins and harmful substances from the body. It is necessary to make a powder from it and mix it with an eggshell. Sand is indispensable for parrots, as with its help in the stomach the process of digestion of food takes place. Giving to Corella sand it is necessary, otherwise problems with the digestive system will begin.

And also very useful for parrots clay, as it is a natural prebiotic that supports the intestinal microflora in a normal state. You can buy clay at the pharmacy, only it should be natural, without additives and dyes. It is prepared as follows: first diluted in water until a slurry is obtained, and then baked for about 10 minutes in an oven until it is firm.

When your favorite feathered pet asks for the food that you are eating at the moment, of course, it’s difficult to refuse. But this must be done, because by giving the parrot food from your table, you can only harm it. Especially if the food is salty, fried or fatty, and even stuffed with various spices. Just at this moment, remember the expression about good intentions.

The prohibited products, which in no case should not get into the stomach of your pet, include the following:

• alcoholic beverages;
• Coffee and tea;
• sweet foods (chocolate, candy, jam);
• sausage, sausages and wieners;
• Fish and seafood;
• potato;
• onion and garlic;
• mushrooms

To ensure your feathery friend a long, healthy and happy life, you need to organize him a balanced diet, which will include all the necessary nutrients and in the right dosage. Then Corella will delight you with its blooming appearance, beautiful singing and good mood!

About how to feed the Coral, see the next video.