Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I have a breeding pair of cockatiels that have laid 6 eggs total. The first egg should hatch from the 11th to the 14th of February.
I have read everything that I can get my fingers on about what to feed the parents to help them feed their babies. It says soft foods. Can anyone give me a website or information as to what kind of foods would be best for them all?
I really appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks,
Mona

I don't know of a website right off but some basic ideas would be: oatmeal either with fruit added or without, grated hard boiled eggs, sweet potato baked in the microwave until softened and sprinkled with cinnamon or apple juice. Also you can add a bit of fruit juice to their pellets to soften them to a more palateble consistency. Birdie muffins also work well. You can use the basic Jiffy corn muffin mix and add in several types of vegetable baby food such as squash, sweet potato, mixed vegetables or green vegetable mix, or even add regular grated veggies and fruit. Many of the veggie mixes work well if cooked and mashed first. Sorry I can't be of more help maybe someone else on here that breeds cockatiels can lend a few suggestions for you.

Thank you so much for the information.
It was a big help and comes at just the right time.
I have another question, if you don't mind. Is it okay to give them the bird formula that can be bought? I ordered some, but don't want to hurt the little guys.
If all goes well, the first of the six eggs should be hatched by this time next week.
Again thanks so much,
Mona

The formula is okay to give them but you need to watch it closely. Because of its content it draws bacteria very fast. If it has not been eating in 30 minutes to an hour it needs to be removed. It really has great nutrients though so if you parents or babies will eat it then it should help them out a bit. We have used it when we have to handfeed a rescue or when we have an older one that won't eat well.

I've heard from a few people that broccoli is good to offer parent birds, and they seem to be attracted to the color green to thats a big plus, about forumla I've seen a few recipes that add hand feeing formula to bird bread in place of the Jiffy mixes or flours/cornmeal, I made one batch with Kaytee H/F forumal and my flock thats normally picky loved it.