Do You Take the Male Cockatiel Out of the Cage When the Eggs Are Hatching?

Like human lovers, newly paired cockatiels can take a while to get to know each other and settle into their parenting roles, and may squabble while they do, but they should not be separated unless there is danger of serious injury.

  1. Male Aggression

    • Male cockatiels are the primary defenders of nest and mate, and will boldly face down bigger birds and other predators. Occasionally an inexperienced cock will turn this aggression toward his lady, pecking her and even driving her away from food and water. If this happens, he should be removed, but kept in a nearby cage so he can still protect her but cannot hurt her.

    Egg Breaking and Egg Eating

    • Egg breaking and egg eating have been reported in cockatoos (of which cockatiels are a subfamily. If the male is doing this, he should be removed as soon as the first egg is laid.

    Parenting

    • The cock normally shares the incubation chores, sitting on the eggs to allow the hen to eat, drink, relieve themselves and get a little rest. He continues to participate after the chicks hatch and may become the more active parent in feeding them.