February 14, 2022
Cockatiel breeding
My cockatiel pair of 2 years old have 2 successful clutch. After that ,I changed their breeding cage and they stoped entering their nestbox and stop laying .
Please help!
Question:
Answer:
Hi,
Cockatiels should not be allowed to breed until they are 2 years old. Then when they do have a clutch, whether the eggs hatch or not, you have to remove the nest box and rest them each time once they are done with the eggs or once any chicks have left the nest box. If yours are just now 2, then they have already had 2 clutches too many. Even if they started at 2, if they were not rested for 6 months in between the clutches, then they need to be rested now. In the wild, they only breed once a year during breeding season. Because we provide perfect breeding conditions indoors year round, they will not stop breeding unless you make them. They should only be allowed two clutches per year. Forming and laying eggs is very hard on the hen, and raising chicks is hard on both parents. They need to rest between clutches or they get too worn down. In your situation, the new cage is one factor. But if you have not rested this pair since the last clutch, then you need to take down the nest box for 6 months and give them a good rest. After that you can replace the nest box and by then, they might be ready to explore the new box and they will be used to the new cage. If you have rested this pair each time, then they just need time to get to the new cage and nest box.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
