Parrot Feather Mailing List

Breeding Cockatiels (Part 1)

• Breeding Part 1
• Breeding Part 2

Cockatiels are not difficult to breed and many will breed throughout the year if the conditions are right.  They often rival the budgie for their willingness to breed.  They come in many different color mutations.  Because of these traits, many breeders find breeding cockatiels enjoyable as a hobby.  Breeding healthy cockatiels takes work by their keepers and the breeding pair.  These birds need to be kept clean, have a variety of foods, and need to be continually monitored.  Many things can go wrong and it is important that the breeder be one step ahead of the parents.  Producing healthy chicks is an art.

Selecting a Pair of cockatiels

When selecting a pair of cockatiels for breeding, it is important to find healthy birds.  Finding healthy birds can easily be done through a reliable breeder or from local pet shops.  When selecting your birds, make sure their eyes are clear and there are no nasal discharges.  A healthy cockatiel will be alert and active.   Though they may sit on their perch ruffled up, your presence should cause them to tighten their feathers.  The bird should not be underweight and its feathering should be sharp and smooth.  Healthy cockatiels make every effort to stay pristine. 

cockatiel Breeding Methods

When breeding, decide if you are going to colony breed cockatiels or if you are going to breed pairs in individual cages.  Whatever method you choose, make sure it fits your budget, time, and birds.  If you decide to breed cockatiels in an aviary setting, keeping accurate records is not possible.  Though cockatiels can form monogamous bonds, they still tend to stray.  As a result, producing mutations can be difficult.

Breeding in individual cages has many benefits.   Firstly, birds do not have to compete for nesting sites and secondly accurate records can be kept.  This keeps aggression down and the pairs can concentrate on producing healthy chicks.  If the parents are allowed to focus on the social dynamics of a flock many problems can arise.  Another advantage of isolating your breeding pairs is monitoring the chick’s growth.  It is much easier to remove babies from nesting boxes mounted outside compartment cages.  Aviaries make checking the babies difficult.  The babies need to be weighed and banded; having easy access to them is less stressful on the parents and will less likely cause them to abandon their babies.

Breeding Setup

It is important to keep the cage as clean as possible.  Chicks can easily develop bacterial infections inside their crops if rancid food or dirty water is left for their parents to eat or drink.  Special care must be used when placing perches into the cage.  Perches that are placed above food and water bowls will become contaminated with poop.   Food dishes and perches must be cleaned regularly to keep harmful bacteria to a minimal.

When breeding cockatiels in individual compartments, it is important to keep the nesting box mounted outside the cage.  The entrance hole should be the only part exposed to the birds.  A nesting box placed inside a cage will end up as a courting platform and will be filled with poop.  This harbors bacteria and the chicks will be prone to infections.  If you choose to breed your cockatiels inside an aviary setting, try to mount the boxes in such a way that the parents cannot sit on them.  However, this can be difficult to do since the boxes need to be cleaned and disinfected after each clutch.

If you are breeding cockatiels inside a breeding cage it needs to be large enough to house two birds and their offspring.   Keep in mind cockatiels have large tails that need to be accommodated.  The cage should have doors for easy access to the birds, bowls, and perches.  Having cage trays help minimize mess and make cleaning easier.

The cage needs to be located in a clam and quiet room.  A sudden scare can cause the female to thrash about her box, in turn, crushing or cracking her eggs.  Caution should always be used when approaching the nesting site.