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Breeding Cockatiels (Part 2)
Breeding Part 1
Breeding Part 2
Diet:
The
diet of the breeding birds should not be something just
introduced. You should continue to feed your cockatiels a
combination of seeds and pellets intermixed with fruits and
vegetables. To make the diet a bit more interesting, and to give
the chicks a better start at life, add some corn on the cob inside
the cage. Corn is fattening and will help the parents feed all
those hungry mouths without working too hard. Once the chicks start
to demand more food, a few cobs can be given and will easily be
devoured. Rather then giving them their usual greens, substitute
them with dandelion leafs, broccoli, or carrot tops. Boiled squash
or warm cubed pumpkin is great too. For protein, boil eggs and
remove the shells. Crush them up with a fork and keep them inside
the cage for an hour. Be creative. The sooner the chicks can learn
to enjoy all kids of foods the healthier they will be.
Courting: If
your cockatiels are bonded, then courting will usually follow.
During this period a good indication that the birds are ready to
start a family is through the male. He will start to inspect the
nesting box and begin to display. Usually when a male cocktail
starts to display he will move back and forth and jerk his head side
to side. During this time loud whistles or calls can be heard. He
will also slightly open his wings and dance. Owners who do not know
about this behavior tend to mistake this mating ritual as dancing.
The crest is lowered and raised as well.
The
female is much more discrete about her display. She lowers herself
to a perch with her tail extended upward. The female will make small
chips to indicate mating. Mating will follow. Eggs can be expected
7 days later. It is not unusual for excessive mating until after
the clutch is complete.
Eggs
and Chicks: Eggs
can be expected every other day. A clutch can consist of three to
six eggs. Though some females may lay more, a female should not
handle more than 5 eggs. Remove anything above five eggs or place
them to foster parents. Usually by the second egg the female will
start to incubate. The incubation process is 21 days. The female
will turn her eggs to ensure the embryos develop properly. Before
the chicks hatch, small cracks or holes will be made. These are
called pip holes and signal hatching within 24-48 hours.
Once
the eggs hatch the mother will feed them a concoction of cells and
enzymes for the first few feedings. This concoction helps the
chicks develop a strong immune system and provides nourishment.
Growing Chicks:
The
chicks grow rapidly and can be expected to wean around eight to ten
weeks. During this stage the mother will push them to explore their
environment and fly. If babies are pulled for hand or spoon
feeding, weaning should not be rushed. A chick kept alone can take
about eleven to twelve weeks to wean. Once the babies can fly
properly, and are able to maneuver in the air, the wings should be
clipped. If you plan on keeping the cockatiels as breeders, place
them into a flight cage and offer plenty of foods for them to eat.
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