Cockatiels and Chickens.

My mum brought home 2 cockatiels yesterday that were abandoned in a box outside a hairdressers salon. We have a large parrot cage that they are in at the moment but we have a 6m x 9m fenced enclosure with a roof and concrete blocks at the bottom of the fencing for our 9 Chickens. We are in dog rescue and have 24 dogs so have ensured it is completely dog proof. Would it be possible to keep the chickens and Cockatiels together? We have never had Cockatiels before so any tips about things they like/need also welcome. Any info would be much appreciated thank you

Don't know about with chickens, but my sister had bunnies in the bottom of their aviary and the cockatiels kicked them out of their house and nested in it so they can be determined little blighters. I wonder though if they might get chased by the chickens, ours are none too fond of any little birds that get into our run. And one lady on the Aussie thread had to rescue a crow her chicken was beating up. A cockatiel is going to stand even less chance than a crow.

DeesChucks said:

things they like/need also welcome.

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They like company, they like to sing and dance and talk to you. I'd keep them in the house or on your terrace, somewhere where you'll get to see them often.

They should have a complete food (pellets), not just seeds. They also like a bit of veges, kale, endive, stuff like that, and seeds as a treat (not as their main diet).

Don't mix chickens with pet birds. All incoming animals need to be kept in quarantine for 30 days and be monitored for disease. Cockatiels are potential vectors for diseases that can wipe out an entire flock of poultry. For the sake of your flock I would house the cockatiels as far from the chickens as possible and follow proper protocol to prevent disease transmission such as washing hands, changing clothes and shoes after handling pet birds and before tending to other animals.

theoldchick said:

Don't mix chickens with pet birds. All incoming animals need to be kept in quarantine for 30 days and be monitored for disease.    Cockatiels are potential vectors for diseases that can wipe out an entire flock of poultry.  For the sake of your flock I would house the cockatiels as far from the chickens as possible and follow proper protocol to prevent disease transmission such as washing hands, changing clothes and shoes after handling pet birds and before tending to other animals.

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Thanks everyone they are now in a large parrot cage in the house. My mum would eventually like to build them a large avery so they can fly we are in Spain where the lowest temperature is about 4°c in winter and highest 40°c in summer would they be ok to live outside in this climate and can they mix with any other birds?

DeesChucks said:

My mum would eventually like to build them a large avery so they can fly

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My weiros (cockatiels, we call them weiros here) tend to climb about their cage more than fly. Obviously, they can fly, but mine aren't "flighty".
Quote: That's a similar temperature range to here (although we get over 40 as well). Yes, they can live outside, but you need to be very careful when it's hot and make sure they don't get too hot, aren't in the sun, etc. You need adequate shade, and a mister or something to cool down the aviary. In winter, you need to keep them out of draughts. Put a cover over (EDIT, not the whole thing, just a section) so they've got a nice sheltered area.

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Some people say you can put them with budgies, but others say no. I don't think so, the budgies are smaller and can get hurt, and they are also different in their habits, being flighty and "annoying". I think they're better with their own kind, with their husband/wife/friend. If they're bonded, they aren't going to want others "invading" their home.

You can house cockatiels with parakeets only if you have enough space for the birds to claim as their own. Make sure you have several feeding stations for the birds and watch for aggression especially during breeding season. Remember you have to have ENOUGH space to house the birds. Provide 'private' areas so the more timid birds can feel secure.


A cereal box makes an excellent 'fort' for cockatiels to hide in.



A wall of toys provides a privacy curtain for this new rescue.



And if your cage is large enough you can always put up a divider to keep the two species apart.




Never allow Amazon parrots easy access to smaller birds, but I allow the two to visit with bars between them. Here, Barney was amazed to see a yellow-headed parakeet just like him!




The nervous newbie just out of quarantine. She's positive I'm HellSpawn but is trying to not panic.






She was much happier behind this wall of 'toys'. This was her area which she defended if the other birds bothered her. I made sure she ate and drank and she is slowly coming out of her shell. The thing with rescued animals is you don't know their past. You have to read their body language and learn what they are comfortable with and work with them.





Good luck!