Cockatiels are popular pet birds that can live 15-25 years. They are known for their sociability, playfulness, and ability to mimic speech. Cockatiels are relatively easy to breed, making them a good option for bird breeders looking to raise young birds. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to breed cockatiels successfully.
Preparing for Breeding
Proper preparation is crucial for a successful cockatiel breeding program. Here are some key steps:
- Acquire a breeding pair – You’ll need a bonded male and female cockatiel. Look for birds that are at least 1-2 years old and have bright plumage and a lively spirit.
- House them separately – Keep the male and female in separate cages next to each other for 1-2 months so they don’t form a strong pair bond too early.
- Provide proper diet – Feed them a balanced diet high in calcium and protein to support breeding. This includes pellets, fresh fruits/veggies, sprouted seeds, calcium supplements, etc.
- Set up breeding cage – Get a roomy cage at least 24″ x 24″ x 16″ in size. Add 2 nest boxes with a diameter of at least 12”. Provide nesting material like pine shavings.
- Stimulate with light – Ensure the birds get 10-14 hours of daylight to stimulate breeding condition.
Once the birds are in peak health and condition, you can move them to the same cage to start the bonding and breeding process.
Bonding the Pair
Allowing the male and female cockatiel to bond and get comfortable with each other is the next step:
- Introduce slowly – Place their cages side-by-side and let them get used to each other for a few days before fully introducing.
- Watch body language – Look for signs like beak banging on cage bars or hissing which signal they may not accept each other.
- Monitor mating – Once bonded, they will start mating. Make sure the female seems receptive and the male is not too aggressive.
You’ll know the pairing is successful when they happily eat, perch and preen together. It takes most pairs 1-4 weeks to fully bond and show mating behaviors.
Mating and Egg Laying
Once bonded, the cockatiels will start mating. To encourage breeding:
- Provide nesting sites – Make sure the nest boxes are placed high in the cage to mimic tree hollows.
- Offer nesting materials – Supply pine shavings, coconut fiber, dried grasses so the pair can build a nest.
- Play privacy sounds – Cockatiels may breed more readily if loud music or canary song is played to give them acoustic privacy.
The female cockatiel will lay a clutch of 3-8 eggs (usually 4-6). She will lay one egg every other day. She may lay a second clutch if the first fails. Remove the second clutch until after the first babies fledge to allow the parents proper rest.
Incubation
Once the female starts laying eggs, incubation will begin:
- Allow natural incubation – The female cockatiel will incubate the eggs naturally. Do not disturb her during this time.
- Incubation period – Incubation lasts 17-21 days. Humidity in the nest box should be 60-65%.
- Check eggs – Check eggs periodically by candling them with a flashlight. Discard any eggs that don’t develop.
- Supplement diet – Make sure the parents get extra protein and calcium like sprouted seeds and pellets. The male will help feed the female.
Monitor the parents closely as they take turns incubating the eggs. Do not disturb them unless absolutely necessary.
Hatching
Here’s what to expect as the cockatiel eggs start to hatch:
- Hatching begins – The hatching process takes 24-48 hours from the first pip mark to fully emerging.
- Help struggling hatchlings – If a baby struggles to hatch for over a day, carefully help by lightly moistening the shell.
- Remove shells – Parents will discard the shell fragments. You can remove them as well if they accumulate in the nest.
- Record hatchlings – Mark each chick with a non-toxic marker for identification. Document hatching date and order.
- Leave parents alone – Don’t handle chicks for at least 5 days so parents can properly bond with them.
It’s very important not to interfere too much in this delicate process. Let the parents care for the hatchlings in the nest.
Raising Hatchlings
The real work begins once the chicks have hatched. Here’s how to raise healthy cockatiel hatchlings:
- Clean nest – Replace soiled nest bedding at the bottom but leave the top layer intact so parents recognize scent.
- Monitor feedings – Watch to ensure all babies are being fed crop milk regularly. Supplement feed with hand rearing formula if needed.
- Check weight – Weigh chicks daily and document. Healthy chicks will steadily gain about 1-2 grams per day.
- Provide supplements – Sprinkle a small amount of calcium supplement into the nest after 1 week.
- Watch parents – Ensure parents are feeding equally and not fighting. Remove aggressive birds.
- Control environment – Maintain temp of 90°F for first week, then reduce to 80°F. Keep nest area clean and dry.
The chicks will be fully feathered and ready to leave the nest at 4-6 weeks old. Leave babies with parents as long as possible for proper socialization.
Fledging and Weaning
As the cockatiel chicks develop, they will reach two important milestones:
- Fledging – Around 3-4 weeks the babies will start flapping wings and peeking out of nest. Allow supervised out-of-nest time. Fledging (leaving nest fully) happens at 4-6 weeks.
- Weaning – Weaning from crop milk to solid food occurs around 6-8 weeks. Provide a soft pellet and seed mix. Separate chicks once fully weaned.
Ensure babies are fully eating on their own before separating them from parents. Allow supervised family time for several weeks after separation to maintain socialization.
Potential Breeding Problems
Be alert for these common cockatiel breeding issues:
- Infertile eggs – Double yolk or early embryo death. Discard unhatched eggs after 30 days.
- Trouble hatching – Help hatchlings only if shell is cracked and chick struggling for over 48 hours.
- Dead hatchlings – Can occur if parents are inexperienced or eggs damaged. Remove immediately.
- Parents fighting – Separate birds if they become aggressive and pose danger to chicks.
- Abandonment – Some pairs may abandon chicks if constantly stressed. Supplement care with hand feeding.
- Fledgling rejection – Parents may shun babies after leaving nest. Reunite family when chicks can self-feed.
Seek an avian veterinarian’s help for any significant hatching or breeding problems.
Cockatiel Breeding Diet
Proper nutrition is vital for breeding cockatiels. Here are important diet tips:
- High quality pellets – 75% of diet. Look for brands with added vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids.
- Fortified seeds – 20% of diet. Offer hulled sunflower, oats, millets, etc. Sprouted seeds are excellent.
- Chopped produce – 5% of diet. Pick vitamin-rich veggies like kale, carrots, sweet potato.
- Sprouts/greens – For added vitamins and protein. Great options are bean sprouts, chickweed, dandelion greens.
- Grit/calcium – Provide oyster shell grit and calcium supplements, especially for females.
- Clean water – Always provide fresh, filtered water.
Avoid sugary fruits, fatty nuts and colored pellets. Track weight gain and activity levels to ensure proper nutrition. Adjust diet as needed under an avian vet’s guidance.
Cockatiel Breeding Setup
Having proper housing and equipment is key for breeding success. Here are cockatiel breeding setup basics:
- Cages – Large flight cages, minimum 24″ x 24″ x 16″. Bar spacing no more than 3/4″.
- Nest boxes – At least 12” diameter. Attached on the upper half of the cage.
- Nesting material – Pine shavings, aspen chips, coconut fiber, dried grasses.
- Perches – Natural wood perches of varying sizes and textures.
- Feeders/water – Heavy crock style. Multiple feeders to prevent resource guarding.
- Toys – Rotate in and out to prevent boredom. Include foraging toys.
- Grit bowls – Provide separate bowls for oyster shell grit and calcium supplements.
Ensure the breeding area is warm, draft-free, and safe from other pets. Keep cages and surfaces easy to disinfect.
Record Keeping
Maintaining detailed records is imperative for monitoring breeding progress:
- Pairing dates – Document when birds are introduced and bonded.
- Egg tracking – Record lay date, expected hatch date, and status of each egg.
- Hatchling records – Mark each baby, track hatch order and weight gain.
- Medical records – Note health issues, treatments, veterinary visits.
- Sales records – Record buyer contact info, date of sale, hatchling ID.
Thorough records make it easier to identify issues and refine your cockatiel breeding techniques.
Finding Cockatiel Breeding Stock
Quality parent stock is the foundation of any breeding program. Source breeding cockatiels wisely:
- Avoid pet stores – Often poorly bred and housed cockatiels.
- Find reputable breeders – Ask for referrals. Visit facilities in person.
- Look for health – Active, alert, bright eyes, smooth feathers.
- Require vet exam – Only purchase birds with a clean bill of health.
- Review pedigree – Look for signs of good breeding like normal clutches.
- Assess temperament – Opt for tame, well-socialized birds.
Be picky and take time finding the best possible breeding cockatiels. Quality parents mean quality babies.
Cockatiel Breeding Ethics
All bird breeding should be conducted in an ethical manner:
- Screen buyers – Avoid selling cockatiels on impulse or as gifts.
- No incest pairing – Do not breed closely related birds.
- Cull humanely – Use CO2 or cervical dislocation. Do not suffocate.
- Sell unweaned babies only – Provide proper care until juveniles are fully weaned.
- Honest representation – Disclose any known health or behavioral issues.
Making bird welfare a priority maintains your program’s integrity and yields better results long-term.
FAQs About Breeding Cockatiels
What age do cockatiels start breeding?
Cockatiels reach sexual maturity at around 9-12 months old. However, it’s best to wait until birds are at least 1-2 years old before breeding since they may be more successful parents.
How much does a cockatiel egg weigh?
Cockatiel eggs typically weigh 1.5-2 grams when first laid. The egg will absorb moisture from the air and gain up to 20% of its weight during incubation.
How often do cockatiels lay eggs?
In peak breeding condition, female cockatiels lay clutches of 4-6 eggs about every other day. Most will lay 1-3 clutches per year. Egg production can strain the female’s health, so limit clutches.
Do cockatiel eggs need to be turned?
No, cockatiels incubate their eggs successfully without turning. The parents will shift position periodically, moving the eggs slightly. Artificial turning is usually not needed.
Can cockatiels hatch other bird eggs?
No, cockatiels can only incubate and raise cockatiel chicks successfully. Parents can tell which eggs are their own and will reject eggs from another species.
Do cockatiels make good parents?
Yes, cockatiels are known to be very good parents in general. The male assists the female and both work together to incubate eggs, brood babies, and feed hatchlings. Proper breeding preparation helps ensure good parenting skills.
Conclusion
Breeding cockatiels can be an extremely rewarding endeavor but requires time, dedication and attention to detail. Focus on acquiring healthy breeding stock, fostering strong pair bonds, maintaining optimal incubation conditions, and diligently raising the hatchlings. Be prepared for potential problems along the way as well. With precise care and a carefully planned breeding setup, you can have great success breeding these sociable parrots.