How Old Should A Cockatiel Bird Be When You Buy It?

Why 12 Weeks is the Perfect Age for Getting a Cockatiel

It’s crucial to keep in mind that purchasing a juvenile cockatiel entails a commitment that could last up to 20 years.

To avoid having to later place your bird up for adoption, just make sure you’re in it for the long run. The following are some of the factors that make 12 weeks the perfect age to purchase a cockatiel:

Young Cockatiels are Easy to Handle

The majority of young cockatiels that breeders offer for sale are accustomed to being handled. Often highly gentle, these hand-raised birds are less likely to bite or flee from your hands.

You won’t need to tame your new baby bird because a hand-raised young cockatiel will typically want to be touched while you’re nearby.

Your Chick will Quickly Bond with You

A 12-week-old cockatiel that has been handled frequently by its breeder will easily form a bond with a new owner.

This can help both you and your young cockatiel feel less stressed throughout the entire process of adopting a new bird. Though he might miss his parents and siblings, your little bird companion will seek to you to fill their place.

Young Birds Learn Quickly

Young cockatiels that are at least 12 weeks old are intelligent, curious creatures. This can help the bird adjust to a completely new environment, nutrition, toys, and schedule much more easily.

A baby cockatiel is likely to lack any undesirable traits like biting, plucking, or extreme pickiness in its diet. Now is an excellent time to acclimate your cockatiel to new routines, feeds, and toys as well as to the level of handling you feel comfortable giving it.

The Best Age to Start Training a Cockatiel

As long as you are patient and understanding, cockatiels are relatively simple to train. A juvenile cockatiel will look up to you as its mother or father and will emulate your behavior.

As cockatiels are most receptive to learning while they are young, it is recommended to begin training them around the age of 12 weeks.

Teach your fledgling bird to be polite so that it won’t bite you as soon as possible. Your bird won’t feel scared if you are kind and composed, which makes it less likely that it will bite you or attempt to flee.

Start by Teaching Your Bird to Be Tame

Placing your hand inside the cage and keeping it there is a good place to start when teaching a newborn cockatiel to be tame. Your bird will grow accustomed to your hand using this technique.

Pet the bird’s lower tummy when it doesn’t show any signs of fear to entice it to hop onto your palm. Extend your pointer finger when the bird lands on your hand to entice it to use it as a perch.

During this early training, if your chick starts to get scared, take your hand away from the bird but keep it in the cage.

Then, try again in a few seconds. Your cockatiel chick should soon gain enough confidence in you to climb onto your hand and go to your ring finger.

Call Its Name

Whether you’re feeding the bird or cleaning the cage, it’s crucial to address your cockatiel by name whenever you’re in close proximity to him.

Reward your bird with sweets or attention when he reacts appropriately. Give your bird lots of praise as you train it, and make sure the area is peaceful and distraction-free at all times.

To avoid stress or boredom in your bird, keep training sessions brief and simple.

Give Your Bird Stimulating Playthings

Provide your young bird engaging items that he can climb on, perch on, and investigate different textures and colors in order to minimize boredom and stimulate his brains.

Your bird will receive plenty of physical and mental stimulation from a nice cockatiel toy. Also, it will encourage healthy beak development and satiate your bird’s natural urge to chew.

Just make sure that the materials used to create the toys are safe for birds.

Tips for Buying a Young Cockatiel

Due to their widespread popularity, it is simple to locate establishments and individuals who sell cockatiel chicks. These juvenile birds are widely accessible at well-known chains of pet stores.

But, you should be aware that the majority of cockatiel chicks you’ll see in big pet stores were nurtured by their parents before you go off to one of these giant stores.

Compared to a hand-raised cockatiel that has already formed a strong link with humans, this type of baby bird is considerably more difficult to adopt and bond with.

It is generally advisable to purchase a cockatiel chick from a skilled and qualified breeder. The chicks will be raised by hand by a breeder, saving you the trouble of training the bird yourself. A breeder will also provide you with a wealth of knowledge that will make parenting your baby bird simple.

Visit local pet shops to check if they have any cockatiel chicks for sale; this is the second-best method. Small pet store proprietors typically have a strong attachment to every animal and bird they offer for sale.

Cockatiel chicks purchased from a local pet shop are probably hand-raised and docile. Ask the owners how much handling the birds have experienced if you have any worries.

How Much Do Baby Cockatiels Cost?

Baby cockatiels are commonly sold at pet stores for $150 to $250, depending on where you live. Depending on the age of the birds and the genetics of the chicks, private breeders may charge between $150 and $350 per chick.

A trustworthy breeder will be up up and honest with you regarding the history and general health of the chicks. Some even offer lifelong warranties to protect you in the event that a genetic defect is found in the chick you purchase. If you want to buy a cockatiel chick, be prepared to spend at least $200!

Conclusion

Little, sociable parrots called cockatiels are a lot of pleasure to possess. These birds don’t require a lot of upkeep, making them perfect for novices.

As we mentioned earlier in “How Old Should a Cockatiel Bird Be When You Buy It?” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org), please keep in mind while purchasing a cockatiel to account for the price of a cage, bird food, and toys.

Your cockatiel should be able to effortlessly flap its wings and move about in the cage you purchase. Hinged doors, a pull-out waste pan for simple cleaning, food cups, and wood perches are all essential features of a high-quality cockatiel wire cage.

Shopping for a cockatiel chick and its required accoutrements can be enjoyable.