Cocketiel

Question
Hi, we bought a new cocketiel a few days ago but need some advice on raising the litle guy. He is stil a baby and needs to be hand ved. One of the problems is what should i feed him, as im crrently feeding him prenetro as the petshop guy suggested. The other thing is he pluckes his own thethers infront at his cheast? I don't know if he is frustrated or unhappy? We let him out of his cage when we get home until we go to sleep, so he can wonder about the house, play if he wants to, we also try to pet him, but he screams if we do. He also doesn't like to be caged at all. We frequently put him  on our shoulders and he nibbles on our ears or play with our hair. I do not know if we are doing something wrong, but we are verry worried about the fact that he pluckes his own thethers.

Answer
Hello,
Thank you for your question.

I just want to let you know you should always research fully about the pet you want to get, if you don't even know what to feed this bird then this is serious. If he/she already has feathers than maybe your cockatiel doesn't need to be hand fed. Does he look like this? http://k41.pbase.com/u21/vkantabu/large/35109156.SharonsbabycockatielDSC_0005.jp...

I can help you, but I need to know the exact or estimated age of the bird. If possible, will you be able to take pictures or footage of the bird? If I get a good look at what he looks like I will be able to tell what kind of care he or she needs. Also, I bought one of my cockatiels at a petstore, but she was already handfed, I find it very hard to believe a petstore would sell a bird that can't even eat seeds yet. While you wait for some more answers from me, just continue what you are doing with the bird. Let me also tell you, if you want 100% right answers, bring the bird to a vet. This will cost you money, but its the price you should be willing to pay for since you don't even know how to take care of the bird.

So..
Just see if you can send me pictures of the bird and an exact age or estimated age and I might be able to give you a complete answer.

Thank you and please reply!**