Wondering about a 6 month old cockatiel behavior?
Perhaps you have one at this age, and you are curious about what to expect from it. Or as a pet owner, you may be preparing for what to expect once your pet reaches this age.
Either way, we are here to help you to learn more about your pet. Today, we will cover all about the expected behavior in cockatiels at this age and everything else you need to know. Let’s get started.
Common 6 Month Old Cockatiel Behavior
Some owners report that their cockatiels tend to change their behavior at certain stages in their lives. When well-trained, your pet should be loving and sweet, especially when the environment is generally low-stress.
But if you notice some changes in the behavior, such as with cockatiels being a bit more on the moody side, perhaps they are going through some hormonal issues. This is why you may want to ask your vet for further evaluation of your pet.
There are some cockatiels that may act quietly all of a sudden. Generally, these birds are good at masking any illness symptoms or injuries as they want to avoid appearing weak as what they tend to do in the wild.
So, if you notice some significant changes in behavior, it is good to check for some problems. Normally, a 6 month old cockatiel should be playful and talkative. They are friendly and sociable at this age, especially when they are socialized and trained well.
However, if all of a sudden they are acting strange and not playing as much or have become nippy, then you may want to check what the cause may be. Inspect the droppings, if there are some changes in the appearance. If the change has been constant for over 24 hours, it may not be anymore due to the diet.
Do take note, though, that a high-fruit and vegetable diet tends to keep the droppings runny. However, it should only be temporary and should return to normal in a day. But when you notice that your pet has been sleeping more, not going on its perch and would rather stay on the floor of its cage, or perhaps the feathers are all fluffed up, it could be an issue with its health.
There are also instances when such changes in behavior can be accounted for by toxic elements in the air that they have accidentally inhaled or ingested. Some fumes and vapors that are not good for your pet include burning candles, aerosol products, and when you overheat your Teflon cookware. Cigarette smoke is another thing that can do serious harm to your pet.
Plus, there may be some toxic houseplants nearby and that your pet has accidentally ingested. You would not want to put these in your pet’s cage as you are risking its health and life.
There may be issues with a cockatiel at this age being a bit too nippy. This can be hormonal, especially when touching under the wings or on the back. When your cockatiel is going through a hormone surge, this can be a frustrating, confusing, and even uncomfortable experience. Thus, they may be nippy as they have no idea just how to deal with this condition.
Hence, the best way to deal with this is to simply let them be. Eventually, such a phase should pass. This is why you would want to be more careful when handling or petting your cockatiel when it is more nippy at this time.
Now, in the case of a cockatiel being lethargic or suddenly lacking energy and motivation to play, it may be a diet-related concern. Ideally, your pet should be consuming a good amount of calcium in its diet, which can be obtained from turnip greens and kale. But that is not all – food is one thing but you should also support this by allowing the body to absorb the nutrients. This is why we also recommend installing full spectrum lighting in the cage, which helps with nutrient absorption.
Next, consider the food you gave your pet. Are you giving more seeds than what your pet needs? Seeds should only make up 20 to 30 percent of the diet – not more than that. When you provide too much seeds, your pet is at a high risk of suffering from hepatic lipidosis, which is a fatty liver disease. This significantly shortens the lifespan of your pet, which you can easily prevent by providing a healthier diet.
And as we have mentioned earlier, calcium is highly important for your pet. You need to be giving your cockatiel a high-calcium diet, as this helps in forming a more solid egg shell. Otherwise, the body uses up calcium reserves, which then will cause a deficiency of this mineral.
Eventually, the egg shell will become very soft and then, your pet will become egg bound when unable to pass through the body. The eggs can even rupture within the bird’s body, which is a life-threatening situation.
When providing the right food, we recommend different types such as cooked pastas, cooked brown rice, hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, veggies and fruits. Unseasoned bean mixes are also good, and be sure that you provide romaine lettuce, which has good nutritional value.
Read More: Can Cockatiels Eat Wild Bird Seed? A Must-Read!
Conclusion
The way your cockatiel behaves depends on a variety of conditions such as its health or any situation it may be going through. Nutritional deficiency has an impact on your pet’s behavior as when it is deficient in key nutrients, it may be lethargic and pale. Additionally, hormonal issues can also cause some cockatiels to be a bit more nippy, especially when it is causing them frustration or confusion.
With all these things in mind, be sure to assess your bird’s condition and look for symptoms that are impacting its behavior. Whatever the cause may be, this should be targeted appropriately by an avian vet, who may recommend a change in diet, some supplements, or other professional advice for your pet’s optimum wellness.