Cockatiels?

[Chickem707]

What’s the most essential information about getting a cockatiel? Doing research before considering buying one or two.
Do they need companions, is it better to get them in pairs?
What kind of weather conditions do they survive in? (I’m in the UK and wondering if they could live outside)
In my aviary at the moment I just have quail, do they all get along?
Any information is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Parront]

What’s the most essential information about getting a cockatiel? Doing research before considering buying one or two.
Do they need companions, is it better to get them in pairs?
What kind of weather conditions do they survive in? (I’m in the UK and wondering if they could live outside)
In my aviary at the moment I just have quail, do they all get along?
Any information is appreciated, thanks!

That is a nice big aviary, and good for quail. For a cockatiel, you would need to use much stronger and closer spaced wire, and not galvanized, because they will chew the bars. They are parrots, and they chew all the time! The zinc in galvanized wire will poison them in time. For a short time, like in the outdoor cage for only an hour or 2 in the daytime on nice days, 1/4" Hardware cloth has worked for me. They are better pets if you only have 1, but they need attention every day then. If you have 2, they entertain themselves while you are gone. I have left my cockatiel pairs alone for the weekend, no problem with enough food and water. But a single one might be too lonely and get in the habit of loud screaming -- which will be bad for everyone, they can be very loud! Cockatiels do not like wet and cold conditions, such as winter in the UK. They are native in Australia, and I kept some outside all the time in Southern California, with a little extra heat from a brooder bulb in the winter. I have never kept them with quail, they do like to get down on the ground and scratch, almost like a chicken! They might not be able to do that with the quail. Best wishes on getting a nice little parrot!

 

[Chickem707]

That is a nice big aviary, and good for quail. For a cockatiel, you would need to use much stronger and closer spaced wire, and not galvanized, because they will chew the bars. They are parrots, and they chew all the time! The zinc in galvanized wire will poison them in time. For a short time, like in the outdoor cage for only an hour or 2 in the daytime on nice days, 1/4" Hardware cloth has worked for me. They are better pets if you only have 1, but they need attention every day then. If you have 2, they entertain themselves while you are gone. I have left my cockatiel pairs alone for the weekend, no problem with enough food and water. But a single one might be too lonely and get in the habit of loud screaming -- which will be bad for everyone, they can be very loud! Cockatiels do not like wet and cold conditions, such as winter in the UK. They are native in Australia, and I kept some outside all the time in Southern California, with a little extra heat from a brooder bulb in the winter. I have never kept them with quail, they do like to get down on the ground and scratch, almost like a chicken! They might not be able to do that with the quail. Best wishes on getting a nice little parrot!

Thank you!! This is extremely helpful!