Ask Lafeber

Death

Hi, I woke up this morning to my approx 9 year old female cockatiel dead on the cage floor. Her mate was just walking around all around her. She was tamed, he is not. Shecwas also a rescue and had been attacked as a baby and had a dead foot. Because of that, I left a breeding box in their cage all the time because she was more comfortable sleeping in the box. She did not perch very well. 2 questions, should I take the nesting box out of his cage and when is it appropriate to start thinking about finding him a new mate? She produced eggs 3-4 times a year and we successfully raised 3 babies. She stopped laying eggs about a year ago but he has still been very “frisky” so I know I should find him another mate eventually. I want to give him time to grieve. Thank you,

Hi,

Since you do not know why she died, you may want to take him to an avian vet to be checked out. You should take the nesting box out. While it is understandable why you let them have it all the time, a nest box should never be left in the cage year round. Generally, a nest box is for breeding season only. If you do get him another mate, and if he accepts another mate, be sure to remove the nest box after each clutch, whether the eggs hatch or not. Forming and laying each egg is hard on the hen. Rest the pair for at least 6 months between each clutch. As for when to get another mate – there’s no set time. He may or may not accept another female. In the wild they choose a mate, and they do not always bond with the mate we choose. Do not get a young female – she needs to be at least 2-3 years old. He would be more likely to attack than be interested in a young female. And a female should not be paired up until she is 2-3 years old. Younger hens are at a higher rate of becoming egg bound and dying. Start with the birds in separate cages, side by side. They need to show interest in each other and sit near each other before you try introducing them.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda