Why has my cockatiel laid an egg?
This happens when a pet bird not meant for breeding or production and often without a mate begins egg-laying activity. This is most common with cockatiels but can occur in other species. Many owners do not know the sex of their bird or that birds without a mate can lay eggs.
How long does it take for a cockatiel to lay an egg?
“Leave the eggs in the nesting area for 11 days past the time the last egg of the clutch is laid,” suggests Larry Nemetz, DVM, of the B.I.R.D. Clinic in Southern California. Cockatiel clutches usually contain four to six eggs. The process takes a toll on the female cockatiel’s health.
Why do cockatiels not sit on their eggs?
Cockatiels that do not sit on their eggs have two main reasons. First, the bird knows that the eggs are not fertile and so it won’t hatch no matter what it would do. Second, the cockatiel has no interest in becoming a mother. The latter usually happens if the bird lays her clutch for the first time.
Can a male cockatiel breed with a female?
“If someone has a female-male cockatiel combination, they must be aware of the possibility of fertile eggs and possible aggression of the male to the female during a breeding cycle.”
What do I do with the eggs my cockatiel layed?
– A female cockatiel, whether wild or captive, will typically abandon her eggs three weeks after she has finished laying them. – Remove the eggs gradually-one at a time and every other day-until you have removed all of them. – Consult with your avian veterinarian on what to do with the eggs that you have removed.
How do you stop cockatiels from laying eggs?
Preventing Your Cockatiel From Laying Eggs Change your cockatiel’s diet. Remove potential nesting sites. Decrease your cockatiel’s exposure to direct sunlight. Prevent inappropriate pair bonding. Induce molting. Separate your cockatiel from the other bird. Place “mock” eggs in her nesting site.
When will a cockatiel lay another egg?
Once a cockatiel lays her first egg, she will lay additional eggs every 48 hours or so thereafter. Clutches vary in size but can include up to eight eggs. As indeterminate layers, cockatiels will produce new eggs to replace eggs that break, disappear or go bad.
How can you tell if a cockatiel egg is fertile?
You can hold and look the eggs close to a bright light, a tiny little red streak will indicate if the egg is fertile, this is called “candling the egg.”. If your cockatiel has a mate and the eggs are infertile, there could be an underlining cause, such as poor nutrition, reproductive issues, or even excessive breeding.
