Cockatoos as Pets

Cockatoos as Pets Cockatoo's make excellent companion birds, in case the needs of theirs and requirements are adaquately met. They're affectionate, comical, funny, mischievious and often easy to get along with. The requirements of theirs, nonetheless, are many and complex rather.

The secret to an excellent Cockatoo as a companion bird is an excellent beginning. Cockatoo's are known for becoming phobic and developing behavioral problems like plucking and/or screaming. A study was done a couple of years ago by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM and associates that indicated that several of these phobic issues may be brought on by early weaning that's practiced by many breeders.³ In the outdoors, and in captivitiy, if left alone, Cockatoo babies stay with the parents of theirs until another breeding season. Consequently, a year or even slightly less. While the babies are definitely eating by themselves a couple of weeks after fledging, they've been observed being fed by their parents up until another clutch is laid.

A properly raised, socialized and trained Cockatoo makes a fantastic companion. Cockatoo's are noted for being really sweet, affectionate birds, with a voice that seems a great deal as "Cousin It". They're sometimes known for being exceptionally cuddly birds that would like to be "on" the folks of theirs almost as possible. They've rightly earned the title of theirs of "Velcro Birds". They like affection and attention and will generally like essentially anybody that will pet them.

When raising Cockatoo babies the procedure is much the opposite then with Macaws and parrots. With Macaw and Parrot babies you deal with almost as possible. They're by nature independent and will typically find out to entertain themselves on their own. With Cockatoo babies you handle often, but as frequently you should go out of the Too baby in his/her cage or perhaps play area, with no human interaction to encourage independence as well as the ability to entertain itself.

However, an improperly handled, raised or perhaps spoiled Too can (and usually does) become destructive, too dependent, self mutilators and/or screamers. Correct handling and meeting their nutritional, exercise, activity and affection needs, is a must. Somewhat of an effort but almost all Too owners will agree, that their Too is worth the effort!

Cockatoo's are renown for their affectionate, cuddly nature, along with being an energetic, playful and often silly bird. Most species of Cockatoo will discover how to talk, and although they're not noted as particularly accomplished talkers, the "Cousin It" quality to their voices lends a humorous element to the speech of theirs. If you've never ever seen a Cockatoo' war dance' or perhaps play' psycho bird', your are certainly missing some great entertainment!

 The basics

Diet: A healthy Cockatoo diet consists of a huge number of vegetables that are fresh, nuts along with fruit. As well as cooked grains including barley, vegetable pasta, brown rice, oats, and sweet potato. Pellets* and a tiny amount of seed should be provided at least a few times a week. *Please note: When feeding pellets to the pet of yours, please understand the simple fact that overly feeding citrus fruits (including vitamin-C-rich foods or oranges) to the birds of yours are able to lead to "Iron Overload Disease" as vitamin C boosts the level of iron absorbed from supplements and foods.

Physical exercise: A cockatoo should be allowed a lot of opportunity for exercise. three to four hours one day beyond the cage is ideal. If not practical, then no less than an hour on a Play Gym with time allowed for interaction with individuals.

Cage Size: The bigger the cage the better. Large Cockatoo's, like Umbrella's and Moluccan's should have a cage 40" wide x 30" deep at minimum. Smaller Cockatoo's like the Goffin's and Ducorps is able to manage with a cage 36"wide x 24" deep, however bigger is definitely better! I recommend 40" wide x 36" deep for ALL size Cockatoo's. They like the area and this allows plenty of space for perches and toys.

Entertainment: lots and lots and lots of toys….. toys to chew, toys to shred, rope toys, wood toys, complicated toys, simple toys, puzzle toys, raffia toys…… Leaving a radio or perhaps the television on when you're gone is appreciated by many Cockatoo's. Most love music!

To conclude, in case you're willing and dedicated to go the extra mile, a Cockatoo makes an exceptional companion bird. Nevertheless, in case you are not prepared to go the extra distance, stick to among the less needy and demanding species.

References:
³Speer, Brian, DVM. "Cockatoo's as Companion Birds", Exotic Pets Veterinary Symposium, 2000, October 11-15, Faculty of California at Davis

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Cockatoos certainly demand a great deal of attention, but are valued for their exceptionally loving, devoted personality which is second to none. Cockatoos require an incredibly dedicated owner who's ready to offer meaningful and significant attention to these intelligent parrots. They call for constant training from a age to make sure potential cockatoo owners enjoy a bird free of annoying and destructive habits. Behavioral challenges that cockatoos present include:

Excessive Chewing: Any parrot will chew. In nature, they work with the beak of theirs to "customize" the favorite tree of theirs, to enlarge the size of the nest of theirs in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps the beaks of theirs in condition that is good. The issue is undesirable and excessive chewing. Undisciplined cockatoos are going to chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. The owner has to supply a lot of "healthy" chewing opportunities (bird toys, natural wood branches, etc.) and education is essential to teach a cockatoo what's "off-limits."

Biting: Cockatoos, as most parrots, are apt in order to discover the beaks of theirs as a technique of "disciplining us" once they're out of the "baby stage." It truly is vital that you learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. If this behavior is unchecked, the cockatoo is apt to be dominating the whole family, attacking and chasing their least favorite humans (usually the ones they deem to be a competitor for their human mate's affection). Training is essential to stop this destructive behavior.

Screaming: Not everyone is able to tolerate the natural loud call of a cockatoo, and although it cannot (or should not) be totally eliminated, you will find methods to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet cockatoo.