How to Breed a Colony of Cockatiels

Cockatiels are wildly popular and affectionate pets that rank second only to the parakeet as the most common pet bird. They are native to Australia and can live 15 to 20 years in captivity. They are fairly easy to breed and the birds do most of the work, but there are a few guidelines that a breeder must follow to ensure that the cockatiels successfully lay, hatch and raise their clutches.

Things You'll Need

  • Medium to large bird cage
  • Plywood nest box
  • Textured paper towels
  • Water dish for bathing
  • Breeder pellets
  • Cloth towel
  • Egg candler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select healthy, adult male and female birds for breeding that are at least 18 months old. Have an avian veterinarian examine the birds to ensure they are healthy and fit for breeding. Only breed birds that come from different bloodlines.

    • 2

      Line the bottom of the nest box with several layers of paper towels and place the nest box in the cage with the male and female birds. Feed the birds breeder pellets to encourage the breeding process. Replace paper towels with the cloth towel if the birds remove the paper towels from the nest box.

    • 3

      Hang a strip of millet near the entrance of the nest box if the parents are reluctant to go in and nest on the eggs. Place eggs in the nest box if the female lays them in the bottom of the cage. If the parents refuse to use the nest box, make a nest with the cloth towel in the bottom of the cage and place the eggs in the towel. Fill a shallow dish with clean water and place it inside the cage so the parents can bathe.

    • 4

      Slide a piece of cardboard through the bars of the cage to separate the parents from the nest (this is more easily accomplished when both parents leave the nest to eat or drink). Examine the eggs on the fifth day of nesting with the egg candler to ensure they are fertile.

    • 5

      Remove the empty shells once the chicks hatch. Inspect each chick to ensure it has warm and supple yellowish-pink skin. Line the nest box with a clean towel each day to keep the nest box free of bacteria.