| Uncontrollable egg-laying in cockatiels can be frustrating for companion bird owners, and often life threatening for cockatiel hens. The over-production of eggs, or an irregular pattern of laying eggs, can rob a hen of the necessary calcium needed to form her eggs that can have devastating circumstances. Examples of abnormal egg-laying include laying an egg daily or every few days rather than every other day; laying a round of eggs on the heels of an earlier clutch; or continuously laying eggs nonstop for weeks. If allowed to continue, eventually calcium will be drawn from the hen’s own bones leaving them vulnerable to fractures, serious osteoporosis, and the dangers of soft-shelled eggs, egg-binding, and egg peritonitis, all of which can be fatal. Once eggs are laid, do not remove them! Always allow the hen to incubate should she choose to, otherwise she will merely lay another round to immediately replace the clutch she lost. This effort will only tax her resources and rob her calcium supply further. Cockatiels are stimulated to reproduce when six necessary conditions are present in their environment: ideal temperature, proper humidity, increased photo-light period, appropriate seeding grasses (or soft foods) for feeding young, a suitable nesting site, and an acceptable mate – bird or human. To stop the production of eggs, first try to reverse some or all of the above conditions. Ideal temperatures for cockatiels vary. Although primarily a desert bird living in arid regions of the interior of Australia, the domesticated cockatiel can adapt to most any temperature comfortable for humans. Breeders who house their collections outdoors usually breed only during the warm or comfortable months, avoiding the colder chill of winter that can cause egg- binding. If birds are weathered outdoors, a heat source and some shelter should be provided. Breeders who house cockatiels indoors attempt to keep them at room temperature within the 68-72 degrees comfort zone. Many aviculturists maintain their flocks at slightly cooler, rather than overly warm temperatures, in order to keep them hardy. However, when deterring a cockatiel from laying eggs, it will require all the warmth and supportive nurturing provided at this stressful time. Humidity can also affect egg-laying because humidity effects the ability of the embryo to turn in its shell. However, more often, cockatiels that over-produce eggs are kept as companion birds and therefore their eggs do not contain fertile embryos. Constant baths may be somewhat stimulating, so eliminate frequent spray mistings until egg-laying events are over. The photolight period is one element that can be manipulated when cockatiels are kept indoors. Cockatiels normally require at least 10 hours of darkness each night and hens may be stimulated to lay eggs when they are exposed to an increase in the amount of daylight hours they receive. In the wild, increased daylight means more time for parent cockatiels to search for food for their hungry chicks, which adds to the clutches’ chance for survival. To reverse such a hormonal trigger, a decrease in the amount of daylight hours and a corresponding increase in the hours of darkness may be enough to stop over-stimulated birds from future laying. However, do not overdo the exercise; make certain your bird has enough light to eat, and to remain healthy and psychologically content. In the wild, cockatiels will search out seeding grasses to feed their chicks. Eliminating or cutting back on the amount of daily soft foods you provide, for example, soaked, sprouted seeds, egg food, or any table foods in combination with the reduction of other stimulating elements such as the photolight period, might help deter egg-laying. It is crucial that you still provide optimum nutrition at this stressful time and make certain birds are actually eating. Some hens will very nearly starve to death rather than leave their eggs to feed. Under normal circumstances, the male will share in the incubation duties, so to aid your hen, place favorite foods within easy reach. Surround the hen with a layer of seeds or pellets, whatever is her normal diet, so she may eat while incubating her clutch. This is not the time to start converting a bird to a pelleted diet! Millet spray placed within easy reach is almost never refused and will add calories to the diet. However, in the event a cockatiel hen is very thin from not eating, do not deprive her of any soft foods, table foods, favorites such as corn, whole-wheat bread, or other easy to eat choices she desires. To disrupt the chosen nest site, wait until the hen has abandoned her clutch of eggs - usually after the 18-22 day incubation period (depending upon when the hen first starts to incubate full time) - then move her to another location. A further disorientation could include returning her to a flight cage, changing her cage, transferring her to another room, or other disruption to her routine “home.” The most challenging condition would be to remove a bonded mate (if one is present), which may prove difficult. If the hen is pair bonded to a male, the birds may continue to worry and call out to one another. This may be more stressful than helpful. Instead, it may be easier to manipulate the other factors that stimulate breeding behavior. In more serious situations, |
| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to address all areas of cockatiel culture. The Foundation offers its members programs for pet owners, breeders and exhibitors, in addition to services never before addressed in the cockatiel community. CF is establishing a Cockatiel Adoption & Placement Program necessary for the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF address the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel aviculturists. Additional special interest programs include: Companion Care Nutrition Avian Medicine Hobby Breeding Professional Breeding Color Mutations Genetics Exhibition and more ... The Cockatiel Foundation serves all cockatiel owners needs - from breeders, exhibitors, and pet companion bird owners - to cockatiel adoption, placement and youth education for tomorrows cockatiel afficianados. Please read our Membership benefits and peruse the website. When you join as a CF Member, you will have access to the Members' Only Area. COME JOIN US! |
Copyright 2007 Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
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| EGG-LAYING BEHAVIORS & PROBLEMS, Part 3 Stimulating Triggers & Birth Control Methods COPYRIGHT © 2000-2007 LINDA S. RUBIN Originally published in February 2001 issue of BIRD TIMES Magazine & http://www.cockatielsplusparrots.com and CAGE & AVIARY BIRDS, August 2, 2007 "All Rights Reserved" |
C. 2005 Linda S. Rubin
Founded June 3, 2007
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