Care for Bringing a Baby Cockatoo Home

Cockatoos are intelligent birds that delight their owners with comical movements and curiosity. Because of their playfulness and the attention they demand, they require planning and forethought before bringing home your baby cockatoo. Cockatoos are such inquisitive animals that they will become destructive if bored. They need to play in a safe home with plenty of affection and socializing. Plan ahead and prepare the optimal home environment for your new family member.

Things You'll Need

  • Cage or aviary
  • Toys
  • Perches
  • Food and water containers
  • Bath pan (optional)
  • Large hookbill seed mix
  • Styptic powder or cornstarch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a large cage or aviary for your baby cockatoo, with plenty of room to roam. Make sure the cage is secure, because cockatoos are well-known escape artists. The cage should be stainless steel and should not have any zinc or paint, because your bird will chew on the bars. The bars should be no more than half an inch apart. Choose a rectangular cage with a removable tray for easy cleaning.

    • 2

      Place toys and items of interest in the cage to occupy your baby cockatoo. These active birds get bored quickly, so they need durable toys that keep them busy and will withstand the force of their strong beaks. Include non-toxic branches for perches and food and water containers. Some cockatoos enjoy taking baths, so you may wish to provide a small bath pan at the bottom of the cage.

    • 3

      Gather appropriate food supplies. Cockatoos will require large hookbill seed mix. You may also supplement your baby bird's diet with lots of fruits and vegetables as well as cheese, hard-boiled eggs, canned dog food and cooked meat bones.

    • 4

      Educate yourself on symptoms of illness so you can react quickly if your baby cockatoo is sick. Watch for puffed feathers, decreased appetite, discharge from the nose, increased sleep, closed eyes during waking periods, weight loss, vomiting, loose feces, a change in temperament, frequent sneezing or bleeding. Purchase styptic powder or cornstarch to help stop bleeding in case of an injury.

    • 5

      Consult with an avian veterinarian before you bring home your baby cockatoo. Ask your desired vet about their experience with cockatoos, because some veterinarians do not treat birds.

    • 6

      Set up the cage at eye level in a frequently visited room in your home so your baby cockatoo can interact often with the family in a sunny and bright environment.