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Female cockatiels are notorious for laying eggs, whether they have a partner or not. This is unfortunate because they are also prone to egg binding and calcium deficiencies because of it. I'm just guessing that your little lutino female is either laying her first clutch of eggs and doesn't know what to do with them on the floor of the cage when they should be in a nestbox or she knows that they're infertile and not worth sitting on. I would pick them up to clean and put them back. Then, a few days after she's stopped laying, I would dispose of them. I would recommend that you separate your three birds into three cages until such time as you can determine what sex they all are. And increase the amount of calcium and protein in the lutino's diet during this laying spell. |
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| | From:  momnoah | Sent: 5/7/2006 10:32 PM |
At 2 yrs old, if the Pearly still has pearls, you can bet she's hen. On the lutinos, you may be abe to see yellow dots on inner wing feathers or stripes on under-tail feathers if they are held up to the light and the birds are adults. Sometimes if they have alot of yellow in their feathers anyway, it's really hard to tell. Another way is watch behavior and vocalization. A male is generally more animated, will hop or 'dance' and whistle tunes. A female is usually more sedate and her calls are more of a repetative single note type call. As for the eggs, birdlady is probably right.. either she knows that are no good, or first clutch and doesn't know what to do. Some just aren't interested in it especially if they are bonded to a person. Just make sure she is on a good balanced diet w/adequate calcium in it. I hope this helps. |
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Just want to give my 2 cents as a past Cockatiel breeder... I've heard this problem from several customers as well, just to forewarn you for future if she does ever become interested in her eggies. When and if she starts sitting on them, do NOT remove them from the cage until she completely loses interest, which in most cases is about 21 days (the incubation time). The fact that she's not sitting on these eggs could be that she isn't interested, or doesn't know what to do (as previously stated), but usually 'tiels don't start sitting religiously until after the 2nd egg is laid. I had one pair who didn't sit until about the 3rd egg, so that is another possibility! Just be careful. To be safe, I would leave those eggs in for about a week (or until she's done laying), if she still ignores them, toss them out. The problem that arises is that when you take an egg away, they will lay another to replace it, as they would in the wild. It's a survival instinct. Which can cause problems. Like others have said, plenty of calcium and protein will do the trick. My birds loved hard boiled eggs, shell and all, broken up! Good luck!
CL |
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I disagree with the advice to remove them a few days after laying stops. Cockatiels are indeterminate layers. Every egg you remove during her laying season will be replaced with another til it finally wears her out or kills her. A friend had an unmated female who laid eggs daily. She took the egg daily, not knowing what would happen. Finally she called to ask me what to do. I told her to leave those eggs alone. After about 3 weeks of the eggs littering the bottom of the cage she was able to remove them and no more were laid during that season. If you leave them alone she will likely stop at 7 eggs or less. My friend's bird had laid 30 before she left them alone. It's a wonder the bird didn't die of egg binding. My pionus does this too. If I remove an egg she replaces it. She also starved herself when she laid her first clutch. I had to remove them but each time I did she put another in its place the next day til she had laid a total of 18. I was panicked. Finally I left them and put her food bowls so close she couldn't move without walking in them. She ate!! She lays in the floor of her cage. Now I know to do that on the first day and we haven't have any more starvation or excessive eggs. I wait over 26 days and sneak out one egg at a time til they are all gone. She searches for a day or so and then gives up. Annie |
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I absolutely agree with the advice you have been given to leave the eggs. Let her decide to abandon them. She will only replace every egg that is removed and that will drain her to the point where she will become very sick and possibly die. It's best to let nature take it's course in this case and let her decide to leave the eggs. I would ensure that she is getting lots of nutritious foods, especially now. Lots of fresh veggies, leafy lettuce, kale, hard boiled egg, etc. Also, to ensure that she's getting enough calcium during this time, you can even scrape some cuttlebone into her food. Calcium is essential during the egglaying process, and it's a good idea to give her a little extra. Deon |
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Hi, My cockateil was laying eggs like mad and I finally learned all these facts. I was told to move the cage periodically because of the mating season. I don't know about that. I moved the cage anyways. She masturbates daily, 365 days a year. I should have named her horny. We'll see come this mating season in cage moving works....I doubt it. Mari |
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Since repeatedly laying eggs is dangerous to the bird's health, has your avian vet discussed hormone therapy with you, Mari? |
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Hi birdlady, My cockateil hasn't laid an egg in a long time . She does masturbate alot. Do you think that she needs hormone therapy? She doesn't lay eggs anymore but if she should I will call my vet and follow the do not remove the egg rules. When I did let her sit on them she eventually stopped and moving the cage did help because she got off of them sooner because the spot I put the cage in had a bit more light. She was fine after that, so far. Your input is appreciated. Mari |
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hello, and thanku for accepting me to your group. i am a tiel owner. one f one m, ollie m candle f. they are not very friendly to anyone but me. and really are not that friendly with me. they are so nervous. if any noise even the smallest happens they fly all over the place screeching. i have had the kids for a couple of years, they have alot of time out of their cage i really only lock them at bedtime thats when ollie will call and call to tell me they want lighs out . i really want to learn more about this type of bird as i was totally caught off guard when i bought ollie. i went with a friend to help her pick out a bird, we went to a breeders home, she came home with one and so did i. they scare me abit as i have been bitten, that hurt. now i just have them step up and they love to land on my shoulder and walk around with me. ollie knows some diffeerent whistles and can say a few words but i feel i am missing the real joy of them. they control me i know that for sure. is that ok? also i have so many ? about the egg thing as that has been a mess from the start. i will be reading all the message boards and learning . thanks again mslakelady-christine  |
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Did you post your question separately somewhere else, Bryanna? It won't get much attention tacked onto the end of someone else's thread, I'm sorry to say. |
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