Ask Lafeber

Laying infertile eggs

I have two cockatiels 1 male and 1 female they are both 2.5 years old, they mated about a week ago and layed 4 eggs which are infertile why is this?

Hi,

If they only started laying eggs a week ago, it would be too early to determine if the eggs are fertile. It takes each egg at least 48 hours, from the time they start sitting on it, to even begin to develop, and then it takes several more days to start seeing any veins. After a week, only the first egg laid would be showing signs of being fertile, and this is if you know how to properly candle the eggs. It has to be almost complete darkness, and the light has to be at the proper angle to see the veins. Since this is their first clutch, I would leave them alone and let them sit on the eggs. If the eggs are fertile, they may hatch. Hopefully you didn’t throw the eggs out because you may have thrown out viable eggs.

Now, mating does not always result in fertile eggs, or any eggs at all. And most first clutches fail. That is why it is best to give them privacy, and let them focus on taking care of the eggs, and hopefully any chicks that may hatch. The more you disturb a pair, the more likely they are to abandon the eggs, or even the chicks. So let them learn, and only go near them when you need to feed them. If these eggs, do not hatch, then remove the nest box, rest the pair for 6 months, and then let them try again. If the eggs hatch and chicks survive, remove the nest box as soon as the chicks leave the nest, so the parents do not breed again too soon. The parents should be rested in between every clutch for 6 months.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda