It is easy to groom a cockatiel.The cockatiel has three parts.You have to trim the bird's nails.The cockatiel's nails can be trimmed once a month.You have to trim the bird's wing feathers twice a year.These grooming tasks are best left to qualified professionals.You need to wash the cockatiel regularly.
Step 1: A small dish is needed for the bird to clean itself.
Birds like bathing and keeping clean.Give your bird a small dish or bowl filled with water that is chlorine-free.The heavier weight of the ceramic bowl will prevent the bird from spilling it.When the cockatiel has finished grooming, remove and clean the dish.
Step 2: The bird is in the water.
If you don't want to provide a small dish for your cockatiel to clean itself, you can place it under the bathroom shower or in the kitchen sink.Attach a shower perch to the side of the shower or sink and sit your bird on it.If the sink head has a multi-stream spray option, you can place the cockatiel in it.Simply turn the faucet on if it doesn't, and you will get a steady stream of water.In either case, bathe the cockatiel well by moving the faucet around on all sides.The shower head should be removed if you wash the cockatiel in the shower.The shower perch should be moved into and through the water if the shower head is not removed.The cockatiel should be wet.The bird won't be able to clean itself if the faucet is open too early.Take your bird out of its cage after the bath.The cockatiel needs to be replaced after it completes its grooming routine.A solution of one part bleach to ten parts water can be used.It is possible to poor boiling water over the sink's surface.It is important to remove sink mats, dish drainers and other objects which may have been contaminated by your bird's cleaning in the sink.
Step 3: The bird can be misted with a squirt bottle.
A squirt bottle of average proportions is a third option for cleaning your cockatiel.It should be filled with water that is chlorine-free.When the handle is depressed, the nozzle emits a fine mist.Drop the handle two or three times from a distance of nine to twelve inches.The bird will be able to groom itself.The cockatiels like being sprayed.Grease and oils can run off their feathers.
Step 4: Do not wash your bird with soap.
Your bird's powder can be taken away by human detergents.Antibacterial soaps are harmful to birds.When washing their cages or toys, never use antibacterial soaps.If your cockatiel gets oil or other toxins, don't wash it with soap.If your bird requires soap, rinse it thoroughly.Don't wash the bird's face.Put your bird in a tub filled with soapy water and scrub it gently.
Step 5: Let your cockatiel dry.
It's a good idea to let your cockatiel dry in the air.If the weather is warm, keep the windows closed.You should bathe your cockatiel in the morning, not at night.If you want to speed up the drying process, you could provide a bird lamp for your cockatiel or move its cage close to a sun-lit window.Many blow-dryers have a coating on their heating coils that can be harmful to birds.
Step 6: The cockatiel has long nails.
If the toe can't make full contact with the ground when the cockatiel is placed on a flat surface, the nails are too long.Paying attention to the feeling of the bird's nails when they perch on your hand or arm is one way to evaluate whether the nails are too long.If the nails are so sharp that they cut, scratch, or cause pain in your arm, it is time to get them trimmed.
Step 7: The nails should be trimmed by a vet or professional.
It is a good idea to see a pet shop employee or vet to trim your cockatiel's nails.When you try it yourself, you will know how to properly trim them.It is important to observe the length of the nails before and after they are trimmed.They can be used to figure out how long the nails should be.There is a list of cockatiel breeders.Some cockatiels have grooming services.The Association of Avian Veterinarians has a list of vets.
Step 8: A friend can hold the bird for you.
It is much easier to trim with a partner.When the bird is having its nails trimmed, your partner should wrap it in a small towel to keep it from flapping and moving.
Step 9: The quick is something to look for.
There is a blood vessel in the center of the nail.It can be hard to see in gray-footed cockatiels or those with dark toenails.If you cut the quick it will cause a bloody mess on your cockatiel's foot.If you can't see the quick, consider having a specialist cut the bird's nails.Check the severity if you cut the quick accidentally.A small cut will stop after a few drops of blood are spilled.Your cockatiel first-aid kit should include some styptic sticks.Styptic sticks are available at pet stores.If you don't have styptic sticks, you can dip the foot in flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding.
Step 10: Carefully clip.
The cockatiel nails can be clipped with a regular nail clipper, but they might be too large and make the task more difficult than it needs to be.Try a baby nail clipper for birds and cats.These can be found at pet stores or online.The quick should not be cut.
Step 11: Do you need to clip the cockatiel's wings?
There are many reasons why you might clip your cockatiel.It is possible that you will clip your pet cockatiel's wings.You may want to limit the bird's ability to fly around the house.When you let your cockatiel explore the room or house it lives in, you can use caution, for instance, investing in a spacious cage and closing the door.You can train the bird to fly in certain ways.It is possible to limit a bird's ability to stay healthy and fit by clipping the wings.The bird could develop behavioral problems if the feathers have been clipped.If they are ever in a situation where escape is necessary, such as an encounter with another pet, it may leave them in danger.If you choose to clip the wings, make sure you consider if it is a good choice.
Step 12: Have your vet or a professional clip your bird's wings.
Someone who knows what they're doing is the best way to get your cockatiel's wings clipped.It can end badly if the wings are clipped too close or the wrong feather is cut.If you don't feel like dropping the money on it, at least watch your vet or a trained professional clip your bird's wings before attempting to do so yourself.Make a video recording of their behavior for later reference.
Step 13: Don't cut the feather.
Pin feathers are feathers that are just starting to grow.They have a large blood supply.They will bleed profusely if cut.Check the shaft to make sure you don't cut a blood feather.The blood within the feather's shaft will cause it to be dark and white.You want to cut the shaft of the feather.If you can't identify the shaft, soak the wings in a mixture of water and alcohol.While examining a feather, move other feathers out of the way.
Step 14: The light should be clipped to your cockatiel.
Cats, dogs, and birds can be used to clip your cockatiel's feathers.It is usually sufficient to remove six to eight primary feathers from your cockatiel.The primary feathers are the ones closest to the wing tips, and can be distinguished from secondary feathers by a fully outstretched wing.There is a slight dip in the bottom of the feather line when you look closely at the wing.The natural dividing point between primary and secondary feathers is served by this line.A friend should hold the cockatiel.It's a good idea to wrap it in a towel.You want to cut the wing.Cut at the tip of the wing.Cut all the feathers you want to trim on one wing.Cut the same amount of feathers on each wing.Don't clip more than ten primary feather's from a cockatiel.Don't use scissors to clip your bird's wings.Don't clip the secondary feathers.The bird should be able to fly down from a perch but not up.If your bird can't do either, you may need to change your clipping technique with the help of a professional.
Step 15: Do not do a one-wing clip.
The aim of the one-wing clip is to unbalance the bird's path of flight.It is not advised since it can endanger the safety and life of the cockatiel.It can be difficult to correct the behavior of birds who start plucking their own feathers when they realize their plumage is unbalanced.If you follow the same directions as you would if you clipped both wings, you can execute a one-wing clip.