Parrot Feather Mailing List

Breeding Cockatiels (Part 2)

• Breeding Part 1
• Breeding Part 2

Breeding Diet for cockatiels

The diet of the breeding birds should not be something just introduced.   You should continue to feed your cockatiels a combination of seeds and pellets intermixed with fruits and vegetables.  To make the diet a bit more interesting, and to give the chicks a better start at life, add some corn on the cob inside the cage.  Corn is fattening and will help the parents feed all those hungry mouths without working too hard.  Once the chicks start to demand more food, a few cobs can be given and will easily be devoured.  Rather then giving them their usual greens, substitute them with dandelion leafs, broccoli, or carrot tops.  Boiled squash or warm cubed pumpkin is great too.  For protein, boil eggs and remove the shells.  Crush them up with a fork and keep them inside the cage for an hour.  Be creative.  The sooner the chicks can learn to enjoy all kids of foods the healthier they will be.

cockatiels Courting

If your cockatiels are bonded, then courting will usually follow.  During this period a good indication that the birds are ready to start a family is through the male.  He will start to inspect the nesting box and begin to display.  Usually when a male cocktail starts to display he will move back and forth and jerk his head side to side.  During this time loud whistles or calls can be heard.  He will also slightly open his wings and dance.  Owners who do not know about this behavior tend to mistake this mating ritual as dancing.  The crest is lowered and raised as well.    

The female is much more discrete about her display.  She lowers herself to a perch with her tail extended upward. The female will make small chips to indicate mating.  Mating will follow.  Eggs can be expected 7 days later.  It is not unusual for excessive mating until after the clutch is complete. 

cockatiel Eggs and Chicks

Eggs can be expected every other day.  A clutch can consist of three to six eggs.  Though some females may lay more, a female should not handle more than 5 eggs.  Remove anything above five eggs or place them to foster parents.  Usually by the second egg the female will start to incubate.  The incubation process is 21 days. The female will turn her eggs to ensure the embryos develop properly.  Before the chicks hatch, small cracks or holes will be made.  These are called pip holes and signal hatching within 24-48 hours.  

Once the eggs hatch the mother will feed them a concoction of cells and enzymes for the first few feedings.  This concoction helps the chicks develop a strong immune system and provides nourishment.

Growing cockatiel Chicks

The chicks grow rapidly and can be expected to wean around eight to ten weeks.  During this stage the mother will push them to explore their environment and fly.  If babies are pulled for hand or spoon feeding, weaning should not be rushed.  A chick kept alone can take about eleven to twelve weeks to wean.  Once the babies can fly properly, and are able to maneuver in the air, the wings should be clipped.  If you plan on keeping the cockatiels as breeders, place them into a flight cage and offer plenty of foods for them to eat.