Homemade Peanut Butter Treats for a Cockatiel

Pine Cone Treats

• Untreated pine cones that are found in yards or wooded areas make good bird treats. To make sure that the cones are free of pesticides and bacteria, place them in a deep baking dish and cover with boiling water. Allow the pine cones to steep in the water for 15 minutes before draining them. Bake the pine cones in a 250 degree oven for 30 minutes to dry completely.

  Spoon some peanut butter onto a plate and roll the pine cone on the plate enough times to cover it well. Follow by rolling the pine cone in a bowl or plate that is filled with bird seed. Tie a string to the top of the pine cone and tie the other end to the top of the cockatiel's cage.

Bird Pizza

• Treat your cockatiel to a pizza night with a special bird pizza. Cut the crust from slices of wheat bread and flatten the slices. Fry them in hot oil just long enough to make them crispy and spread peanut butter over the surface. Top the pizza with mashed bananas and sprinkled bird seed. Be sure to remove any uneaten portions within 24 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Peanut Butter Balls

• A jar of sugar free peanut butter that also is low in salt and a small box of birdseed or Grape Nuts cereal can be used several ways to make cockatiel treats. One method is to roll a small amount of peanut butter into a ball and roll the ball in the seed or cereal. Another way to form the treats is by mixing together an equal amount of the seed or cereal and the peanut butter. Mold the mixture into what ever shape you desire and use a toothpick or other sharp instrument to create a hole in the middle. Weave a string through the hole and use it to tie the treat to the birds cage. A cockatiel also will enjoy these treats if they are made with crunchy peanut butter since it will have more texture.