Cockatiel Nutrition
Feeding your cockatiel correctly means more than water and cockatiel seeds. The nutrition of the cockatiel has to be balanced and rich in many different nutrients.
Essential Nutrients
Proteins
Proteins are crucial to the cockatiel diet since they are responsible for its development. They are used to create new cells and repair old cells.
Lipids
Lipids, also known as fats, are good (if not in excess) for your cockatiel to build energy reserves and to maintain its body temperature constant. Make sure the seeds you buy don’t contain too much fat.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy. Depending on the activity level of your cockatiel you will have to give more or less carbohydrates. A bird living in a cage will need less than a free bird. If your bird is sick you can give him more carbohydrates to help him fight the disease.
Vitamins
You can’t go without them. They are usually included in equilibrated food but should also come from fresh fruits and vegetables.Minerals
Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, iodine and sulfur are essential minerals for your cockatiel.
Nutrition
Seeds
There is a diversity of seeds available on the market for parrots but you should look for the ones for cockatiels only because they will provide the necessary nutrients to your bird.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
For a complete diet you should give the following to your cockatiel:
- carrot
- salad
- sweet corn
- cabbage
- spinach
- peas
- celery
- pumpkin
- cucumber
- apple
- pear
- apricot
- cherry
- fig
- berries
Chances are that your cockatiel won’t like everything but if you try as many as you can you will find the ones that it loves.
Treats
Usually cockatiels love millet and you can give them as much as you want since it is good for them. You can also give them sweet nuts. The most important is not to give treats too often but reserve them for good behaviour.
Good luck with your cockatiel!
