Signs of a Cockatiel Laying an Egg

Capable of mating and producing eggs in a matter of days, cockatiels are one of the easiest pet birds to breed in captivity. Successful breeders know to keep a close eye on their cockatiel's physical and behavioral cues to head off any potential problems when she's ready to lay her eggs.

  1. Process

    • Female cockatiels are able to breed and produce eggs when they're 5 months old, but most breeders advise waiting until 18 months for better health and parenting behavior. Each female cockatiel is born with two ovaries and two oviducts, but only one of each is used in reproduction. Once mating hormones are stimulated by factors like longer periods of light and warmer temperatures, the yolk of an egg will develop in the ovary, then pass into an oviduct. At this point, if the female is successfully mated, the egg will be fertilized. Even if she is not, the unfertilized egg may still continue to form. Then the egg moves into the uterus where the shell forms in about one day. Next, the egg passes through the cloaca and out the bird's vent. The entire process takes two to three days. Cockatiels typically lay a clutch of two to eight eggs, and the female will lay one egg roughly every two days until she is finished.

    Physical Signs

    • One sign of imminent egg laying is the female cockatiel will have very large and smelly droppings. A bird defecates and expels eggs out of the same opening, the vent, so droppings will sometimes be retained in the bird until the egg is laid. A cockatiel that is ready to lay an egg will seem heavier. Her vent area and lower abdomen will bulge and feel larger because of the egg. It will feel firmer as well. A female cockatiel may also fluff up her feathers for more body warmth right before laying her egg.

    Behavioral Signs

    • You will notice the cockatiel's behavior change as she becomes what's called "broody" right before an egg is laid. She will vocalize more, often making screams and whimpers. She will often squat either in her nest or along the bottom of the cage. Her wings will tremble. Female cockatiels close to laying their eggs will act anxious. The need to find a proper nesting area will increase, and the bird might shred newspapers at the bottom of the cage or try to find hiding places in her cage or aviary. A once sweet-natured female may turn protective and unfriendly during this time, because she's feeling uncomfortable and territorial. She may also start drinking more water because eggs need a lot of water during their formation.

    Problems

    • One of the most common complications a cockatiel can encounter is egg-binding. This is when the egg becomes stuck inside the bird, often because it is not formed properly due to a lack of nutrients like calcium. This can cause death to the female within hours. If your bird is exhibiting the physical and behavioral signs associated with egg laying, watch her closely. If she starts acting listless, weak and stops eating while laying her eggs, seek veterinary help immediately. Other egg-laying complications, like a prolapsed uterus or cloaca, are associated with over-breeding. It is best for a female cockatiel to have no more than two clutches of eggs a year.