My cockatiel isn't well.....

*~sally~* · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:10 am Post subject: My cockatiel isn't well.....

Hi everyone,

I just need some advice about our pet cockatiel. His name is Charlie and he is an indoors bird and about 3 or 4 years old I would say. He is also untamed, he won't let anyone put their fingers near him! We bought him from a private bird breeder a few years ago.

Lately he has been sitting on the bottom of his cage doing nothing, and my partner says he has the wobbles, his movements are uneven. He has a few toys in his cage, and he has plenty of fresh water and bird seed. Is it the bird seed thats the problem? It is "home brand" bird seed so probably not got the nutrients the more expensive brands have?

I would love some advice as to why he's like this, maybe he's just getting old?

Thanks in advance!!

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2234 Location: uk

Hi is he eating and drinking well?
Is there any change in his poop?
You can give extra vitamins and nutrients by offering him fresh fruit and vegtables see if he will eat them.

Also i would take him to an avian vet to have him checked over then they can give him an antibiotic shot if he has any infections this will also give you peace of mind seeing the vet.

Also changing his seed may help.
Birds hide there illnesses and dont show any signs of being really ill until its too late to do anything about it.

If you cant afford to take him to an avian vet then i would advice give them a call tell them the situation and hopefully they will come up with some way you can pay the bill in installments.

keep us posted of how he is getting on.

Mike

*~sally~* · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:55 am Post subject: My cockatiel isn't well.....

Hi Mike,

He is eating and drinking well, yes. I changed his seed yesterday to Trill, which boasts of heaps of vitamins, probably more than in Homebrand bird seed. There is no change in his poop.

He just sits in the cage doing nothing and his balance is still a bit wobbly. He moves along his perch and kind of wobbles to each side in the process.

I have never heard of an avian vet, seeing as we live in a country town I don't think we would have one!

Maybe I will give him a few days with the new birdseed and see what happens. I also bought him a cuttlefish but he hasn't touched that!