Cockatiel Breeding

The wild form of the Cockatiel is grey but today all captive Cockatiels are captive-bred and many color forms are available. Cockatiels are not difficult to breed but individual birds can be a bit pernickety. Extra food, such as soaked seed and whole meal bread soaked in milk, should be given to the chicks and other foods such as fruit or insects may also be given. During the day both parents take turns at incubating but only the hen sits during the night. For more details about Cockatiel breeding, go through the account that follows.

Age to Breed Cockatiels

Cockatiels attain sexual maturity when they are around six months old. It will be wise if you allow them to attain the age of one year and a half before you breed them. If you commence breeding them too early, they may suffer superfluous health problems. Males can be fertile up to 14 years of age and females up to 10 years of age, so you will have ample time in hand.

Nesting Necessities

They will breed in a cage but it has to be a fairly big one as the birds are quite large. They do better in an aviary and are far more peaceable birds than budgies. A cage for a pair of breeding Cockatiels should be at least of 20" x 20" x 50" size. It should contain a large, deep, vertical nest box which should be minimum 12" x 12". If you are making a nest box for them, it is a good idea to provide proper nesting material like a strip of weld mesh to the inside of the front wall so that the birds can use it as a ladder to climb out, molted feathers and some pine shavings should also be provided. A layer of slightly moist peat should cover the floor of the nest box. Correct humidity is vital; if the eggs are too dry the chick will die inside the shell and if they are wet, fungal infections could result that again would mean the death of the chick.

Breeding Cockatiels

Usually Cockatiels breed between spring and autumn in feral conditions. The reason lies in the fact that there are more daylight hours, food sources, warmer temperatures and rainfall during this time. You can simulate all these conditions as a breeder. Provide more artificial lighting, water misting or bathing and a rich and nutritious diet. After that all the birds need a nest box. The birds should be left strictly alone to get on with breeding since they can be very twitchy at this time and ready to abandon the eggs at the slightest disturbance.

While carrying on cockatiel breeding, you have to limit them to two clutches every year. As these birds will be kept indoors where conditions are most favorable, they will generally breed throughout the year. Though, having more than two clutches a year will put excessive stress on the reproductive organs of the female. Too much egg laying will make her suffer from lack of calcium and other nutrients. This deficiency will lead to more problems. So, with the help of the account above, carefully breed your cockatiels.