'egg laying cockatiels'

Max Rodriguez (67.86.196.92) -

I have 2 birds, 1 male & 1 female. Up until present day, the female has laid a total of 9 eggs and none have hatched. It's been more than 4 weeks and they have been rotated by the female. There is no way to tell which egg is ready or not. Also, they are still quite a bit aggressive toward anyone checking the eggs. What is the procedure if they are not fertile? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comment #1 Nora from Columbus, MS (Contact Member) -

Chances are that the parents did not mate successfully. If this is the very first time, that is even more likely.

To set up cockatiels for breeding, they need long days, lots of green and fresh foods (see Bird Lady Secrets to learn more about diet) and plentiful water. They also need perches which are secure so that the female can balance and hold on securely during mating. The perches should be the correct size -- not budgie size perches.

Generally, and depending on temperature, cockatiel eggs require 18 and 23 days for the first egg to hatch. Since eggs are usually laid two days apart, they hatch in that order. However, the female may not "sit tight" until all the eggs are laid and in those cases the babies may hatch one per day or even more per day.

Sometimes it takes a little experience so probably next breeding session will be successful. The fact that she turned the eggs indicates she knows what she is supposed to do!

Best of luck!

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