The largest cage possible is best. The cage should be at least twice the wingspan of the bird, and should be longer rather than taller. A minimum floor space of 18 inches by 18 inches inches per cockatiel is suggested with a minimum height of 24 inches. Moderately thick wire, and ½ inch wire spacing are advised, as cockatiels will climb around and chew on the bars.

Place the cage in an active area, as cockatiels require constant mental and physical stimulation and love people interactions and socialization. The kitchen should be avoided due to the potential of irritating smoke and fumes from cooking. Do not allow people to smoke around the cockatiel, since the smoke is very irritating to the eyes and respiratory system of most birds.

Avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight, near cold drafts, air conditioners, and fireplaces. Room temperature from 18 – 24 C is ideal. The room should have much natural light, or a full spectrum light source should be used. Cockatiels require 10 – 12 hours of night sleep; otherwise they may become irritable or stressed. Cover the cage at night. Always keep the cage inaccessible to cats, dogs and unsupervised young children.

Perches of many shapes and sizes give plenty of foot and leg exercise. Use sandpaper perch covers on only one perch as they can cause irritation to the foot. Be sure the sandpaper perch is not on the preferred location in the cage. Natural branches may be used as long as they are cleaned prior to being placed in the cage and replaced regularly. Doweling works well, but lacks grip. Cement or terra cotta perches help wear down nails. Plastic perches can be chewed easily and do not last very long. Place the perches strategically throughout the cage to encourage flight between them, and climbing.

Since cockatiels are ground feeders, and spend much time at the bottom of the cage, the bottom should be lined with newspaper, plain paper, or paper towel for easy cleaning. Cockatiels like to pick things up, and may ingest sand, shavings or kitty litter from the cage bottom and this can cause internal problems. Therefore, a wire mesh or grate should be placed over the lining, so the birds are not in direct contact with the lining or droppings. Always change the lining daily to keep the cage clean.

Toys are essential for cockatiels. There are many different types of bird safe toys available such as ladders, swings, hanging rings, mirrors, bells and balls. Also, toys should be moved around, added and removed frequently to avoid boredom.

Make sure food and water dishes (or a water bottle) are either attached to the side of the cage or made of heavy and solid ceramic. Otherwise, the cockatiel will become skilled at the art of dumping the dishes. The dishes should be large enough to hold 1 cup of food.

A shallow birdbath large enough for a cockatiel provides messy but amusing entertainment. If the cage is not large enough for a full bath, or if the cockatiel dislikes the idea, try using a plant mister spray bottle to lightly wet the bird. Cockatiels should have or use a ‘bath’ 2-3 times per week.

A cage cover helps to reduce night drafts, and helps to calm a stressed bird; however, they should be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt and dust build up. Since cockatiel cages tend to be large, often they cannot be chained to hang from a ceiling. Therefore, a stand or location, such as a table or dresser top is required. Do not cover the cage completely cockatiels are prone to night fright and should have a nightlight on at all times.