The Advanced Certificate In Avian Studies
A Cockatiel In An Indoor Cage
· Purchasing the cage/aviary 76.5W x 71.5L x 158H (cm) with Play Pen by Avi One Parrot $450
· Setting up – my cockatiel is going to be in a well ventilated area close to the living area of the house (away from fumes in the kitchen) with access to sunlight and also being part of the family
· Nesting - I am not encouraging nesting as my bird is by itself and not with a mate. Providing nesting with a cockatiel without a mate etc can lead to medical issues.
· Feeding - I am using pellets ($10.95 Vetafarm), vegetables and a small amount of seed ($11.95, Feathered Friends) as well as millet ($6 Trill) for training purposes. Because my cockatiel doesn’t get the exercise as it would in the wild I need to make sure I am not over feeding or giving too much fat which may encourage breeding behaviours.
· Watering - I have two bowls, one aluminium bowl on the side of the cage for hydration and a ceramic bowl at the bottom of the cage for bathing. The aluminium bird bowls costs $18 in total and the ceramic bowl from Bunnings costs $15
· Lighting -The bird will have access to natural light and also go outside at times when I can monitor
· Temperature Control - Doesn’t need as its an australian bird adapted to QLD temperature. In peak Summer & Winter it will be indoors in a cooler environment.
·Ventilation -The cage will be in the living area with plenty of windows for ventilation
· Toys - I am using a small baffle cage $29.95 which is great to fill with foraging items & treats. I’m also including a seagrass hut
$9.95 and small foraging tray $16.95.
· Perches–I have chosen natural perches (native branches with different thickness) which I have obtained from my backyard as I have Lorikeets in my yard anyway & I find this is better for their feet & beaks preventing things like bumble foot.
I have also a safety pumice perch which is $24.95 from Parrot Life which is great to trim long nails and also used for stationing the
cockatiel when training.
· Total cost to set up cost including food = $593.70
A Sulphur Crested In An Outdoor Aviary
·Purchasing the cage/aviary - My outdoor aviary is from Clive’s Aviaries as quoted $4000 for a 8m x 2.4m x 1.8m flight aviary suitable for cockatoos.
· Setting up - The aviary will be facing north east & I have chosen a woodchip flooring that is $60 per square metre in total $480
· Nesting - I have chosen a cockatoo nesting box from nestingboxes.com.au for $175 as I plan on getting another cockatoo.
· Feeding - Native nuts, some seed, pellets are vegetables and large seed/ vegetable aluminium bowls $40 online.
· Watering - I have chosen running water to be fitted as the aviary is large. For two rock pools plus pump and fitting it’s estimated $1200
from Bunnings.
· Lighting - The aviary will be outside in a sunlight area (not under a tree) so the bird/s will have a lot of natural lighting.
· Temperature Control - I have installed a 20m mist system in the aviary for Summer from Bunnings $124 as I am in Queensland and a well sheltered area for Winter.
· Ventilation - The aviary will be open for plenty of ventilation.
· Toys - Large PVC piping for browse estimated at $21 for 3m from Bunnings, A large baffle cage for daily treats etc $59.95 from Parrot Life. I will be using a lot of natural items for foraging and enrichment which I can find in QLD bushland where Sulphur Crested Cockatoos live such as banksia cones, pine cones etc which don’t come at a cost.
· Perches - I’ve estimated fitting the perches will cost $50 and have picked up perches from a tree lopper at no cost that cuts Cypress trees as they are sturdy for cockatoos
Total cost to set up cost including food = $6149.95