How do cockatiels feed their babies

Protocols for the hand-raising and care of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Corina Gardner

Introduction

Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are native to Australia and were first identified in the mid 1700’s. It is unclear when they were first imported out of Australia, but they were found in Europe in the 1800’s and have been exported to all parts of the world in the last few decades. They have been bred in captivity for over a hundred years now.

Cockatiels are intelligent, gentle and playful birds. They are usually very inquisitive and will thoroughly investigate anything everything that is around them. Individual cockatiels have very distinct personalities, behavior traits, and their own likes and dislikes. For example, grinding its beak indicates that the bird is sleepy and relaxed. These gregarious birds make one of the most popular pet birds today.

Cockatiels are naturally sociable birds and enjoy human contact. Hand-reared cockatiels are particularly easy to tame. Even cockatiels which have not really had very much human interaction but have been introduced into the company of humans adjust very well. Our cockatiels greet us when we get home by whistling and calling out. Most pet cockatiels even enjoy eating when their owners are having their meals. They crave attention and have a distinct call when they don’t want you to walk away from them. They can sometimes be incorrigible. If they are aware that they a particular behavior will annoy you, then that’s precisely what they will do.

General Guidelines for hand-rearing baby cockatiels

Often, young and inexperienced parents may abandon their nests and refuse to feed baby birds. Such a situation would demand immediate intervention and you will have to care for the baby birds yourself. If there happens to be another pair of cockatiels with a brood of chicks of a similar age, then chances are that the parents may accept and care for the abandoned chicks. Regrettably, this is seldom the case.

Hand-rearing a baby cockatiel is an extremely challenging and time consuming task that requires absolute dedication and patience. Baby cockatiels, which are also commonly called pinkies, are extremely delicate and fragile and therefore require immense amount of diligence while handling. As this is the most vulnerable part of their lives, special care must be taken to ensure the survival of these baby birds.

Feeding and hygiene

A disposable syringe, which is easily available in most medical stores, can be used for feeding the young birds. If unavailable, then the next best alternative would be to use an eye dropper or a plastic teaspoon. The slender tip of the spoon can be dipped in boiling water and then bent make a funnel, thus making it easy to use for hand feeding.

After feeding, the feeder (spoon, syringe or dropper) must be rinsed with warm water to remove any bacteria. Mild soap or detergent can be used to clean the feeder; however, it must be washed thoroughly so that no soap residue remains.

Baby bird formulae, for example, Kaytee Exact, available in most pet stores would be an ideal feed. However, as it is not easily available in India, baby formula like Cerelac can be used instead. If however neither of these is available, then a piece of bread can be crumbled in lukewarm milk and fed to the young birds - but I would only use this as a last resort. The formula must be prepared in a glass container as plastic containers tend to harbor bacteria. The consistency of the formula should be similar to that of a soft pudding – neither too thick, which would make it difficult for the baby to swallow and it may choke, nor too diluted as the baby could inhale the formula into its lungs causing aspiration. The formula must only be heated adequately before feeding the baby. Formula that is too hot will scald the baby bird’s crop, causing crop burn. Crop burn is the scalding of a chick’s crop and esophagus. For the same reason, formula must never be heated in a microwave. On the other hand, formula that is cold will cause sour crop. Sour crop is a condition in which the formula in the baby’s crop has gone bad and the contents of the crop has not emptied.

The baby bird can be placed on a napkin or towel on a table or kitchen counter and held gently while feeding. The aim is to emulate the parent bird as much as possible. Parent birds tap on the baby bird’s beak to stimulate the feeding response. So, gently tap the bay bird’s beak with the feeding instrument in a similar manner to encourage the feeding response. The feeding response is when the baby gapes for food, bobbing its head up and down. Parent birds then feed their chicks by inserting their beaks at an angle, through the side of the baby’s mouth. They then regurgitate the food deep into the baby bird’s mouth. Therefore, insert the tip of the feeding syringe at an angle at either sides of the baby’s beak. Press the plunger slowly, stopping every now and then, so as to allow the baby time to swallow. The speed of feeding must never be hastened. Enough time must be allowed for the baby to swallow its food before pressing on the plunger any further. Once its crop is full, not over-extended, and it has had enough to eat, the baby will stop gaping and refuse to open its beak. Feeding must be stopped immediately. Over feeding can cause formula to flow into the throat and down its windpipe, which can be life threatening. The baby must not be forced to feed when it is reluctant to accept food. The beak and feathers of the baby must be wiped gently with a warm, damp cloth after feeding.

1-7 day old baby

New born cockatiels are born totally helpless, eyes closed, pink with a few downy feathers.

Ideally, feeding should start at 6 a.m. and continue until midnight. The baby should be fed every 2 hours. A day old chick would require approx 1 ml of formula per feed, which can be gradually increased to 2 ml by the 4th day and 3 ml by 7th day. It is unnecessary to give the baby any additional water as they receive sufficient fluids in their feed itself. It is unnecessary to feed the baby at night as in nature, parent birds as well as their babies sleep at night.

2-3 weeks

Pin feathers begin to erupt in the second week of the baby’s life & the eyes usually open around the 8th -10th day.

The baby can be fed every 3 hours. The feed quantity must be increased to 4-5 ml per feed. Feeding must still begin by 6 a.m., however, the last feed could be given by 10 p.m.

3-4 weeks

The baby still has a few pin feathers.

The formula should now be of a thicker consistency and the feed quantity can be increased to 6 ml per feed. The frequency of feeding can be decreased to a feed every 4-5 hrs. The baby’s crop usually empties within 4 hrs. A crop that remains full or does not empty completely within that time indicates that there is a problem. The crop is a muscular pouch near the throat of the baby bird that is used to store excess food for subsequent digestion.

4-5 weeks

The baby birds start to develop flight feathers by this age and are now called fledglings. They also start foraging (searching for food) themselves by this age. Feed quantity can now be increased to 8 ml per feed and the frequency of feeds can be decreased to 2-3 feeds a day. The weaning process must begin by the time the baby is 5 weeks old.

Weaning foods such as greens, bits of toast and bread, crushed and grated boiled eggs (along with the shell) and cream cracker biscuits can now be offered to the young birds. This mixture is an easily digestible substitute and ideal during rearing of young birds. Mixed bird seeds such as millet (durra), foxtail millet (kheri), finger millet (ragi), sunflower seed, etc. should also be given to the birds.

6-7 weeks

The young bird is quite independent now and it’s time to transfer the bird to a cage. Although they feed well by themselves at this age, they must be watched vigilantly to ensure they are eating well. If necessary, feedings can be continued once or twice a day.

Mixed bird seed, which is available in most pet stores, should also be given to the bird. In the event that bird seed is unavailable then large millet seed (bajra), finger millet (ragi), foxtail millet (kheri), sunflower seed (suraj mukhi), safflower (beni or kardi) seed, pumpkin (kaddu) seed, boiled maize (makki) and soaked gram (chana) can be provided. It’s always advisable to offer the young birds entire or un-hulled seeds as hulled seeds tend to decay and mold. Seeding grass, French beans, and carrots are always a welcome treat as well. Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, mustard sprouts, millet sprouts and fenugreek (methi) leaves is essential along with other weaning foods. By 8 weeks of age, the bird should be completely weaned.

Foods that are toxic for cockatiels include apple pips, avocado (makhanphal), cherries and peaches (aadu). Never give your birds chocolate, as it may make your bird seriously ill.

In the event that the bird suffers an upset stomach or diarrhea, indications of which include watery green droppings, a pinch of Ridol or Kaltin or any other binding tablet can be crushed and mixed in a half container of water and offered instead of plain drinking water.

Grit, which is a mixture of sand and stones, and cuttle-bone, which is rich in calcium and phosphates, should be given to the birds periodically. Clean, fresh drinking water must be provided daily. The feed and water containers must never be placed directly beneath perches as the bird’s dropping will foul the contents.

It’s also a good practice to provide a shallow dish for the birds to bathe in. Another option would be to use a spray mister (plant atomizer mister), filled with warm water, not hot water. Many a time you’ll find your bird flapping its wings and hanging upside down from its perch, this usually indicates that the bird wishes to bathe. You will know that he is enjoying his bath when he puffs out his feathers, raises both his wings up and away from his side and leans forward.

Housing the young birds

A shoe-box or small cardboard box with adequate holes for ventilation, a wicker basket or even a small aquarium may be used to house the young birds. The box can be lined with a soft towel at the base and a few layers of tissue papers on top of the towel, making it easy to change the paper towels when dirty. The box must be placed in a warm, dry place, preferably near a source of warmth. A heating lamp, with a light bulb of maximum 40 watts, can be placed above the box. The lamp must be placed at least 12” away from the box. The ideal temperature for the baby birds would be about 35.5° Celsius (or 96° Fahrenheit). Again, it is crucial to be vigilant and ensure that the baby is not being overheated. A clear indication of overheating would be when the baby’s beak is open (as if panting) and wings are held away from its body. On the other hand, if it’s huddled and shivering, it is not receiving enough warmth. At night, partly cover the box with a light towel to keep out the light from the heating lamp and thus enable the baby to sleep.

It must be noted that the purpose of the lamp is to provide warmth alone, and not light, and it must never interfere with the natural light patterns and disrupt the baby bird’s sleep cycle. In nature, cockatiels nest in hollow tree trunks in wooded areas, where not much light enters. Even when in captivity, the parent bird sits on the baby, shielding it from most of the light. The heating lamp may be discontinued after the baby crosses 2-3 weeks of age and is covered with its first layer of feathers.

Ants are a real danger to baby birds and can fatally hurt them. It must be ensured that there are no ants in the vicinity of the bird.

Once shifted to a cage, it must be ensured that the cages are spacious enough to allow free movement between perches. Perches should be placed just above the floor of the cage so that the bird can easily climb onto them. The cage must be located in a well lighted location with a source of natural light such as sunlight. Avoid exposing the birds to a cold breeze or draught, especially at night, as this causes chills and other health problems.

Fresh, natural branches of Indian lilac or neem (Azadirachta indica)and other trees should be provided as perches as this helps to keep the feet and claws of the birds healthy and strong. It not only strengthens their jaws and sharpens their beaks but keeps them occupied as well. Birds are otherwise prone to boredom and feather plucking.

It’s advisable to cover the cage with a cloth at night as it gives the bird a feeling of security. If you get too near the cage at night, you might find him hissing. This is a fine demonstration of his protest to your invading his personal space and literally translates as, “don’t get in my face”. Beak-banging is a common male cockatiel trait that indicates he is looking for attention.

Clipping toenails

In the wild, birds’ nails are naturally smoothened out on a range of surfaces but this may not the case in captivity. However, if it transpires that your bird’s nails have grown too long then clipping them becomes inevitable.

Overgrown toenails are likely to get caught on a perch, cage wire, tray or fabric. This can cause deep discomfort, distress and even injury to your bird. Clipping a bird’s nails is a traumatic event at the best of times, both for the bird and the owner, and so it must only be done when the bird’s nails are very overgrown.

Special nail clippers, which have a rounded edge, should be used to trim the nails of your bird. Take care to only clip the tip of the nail, clipping too much will cause the toe to bleed. If the toe starts to bleed, Nebusulf powder which contains the antibiotic Neomycin, must immediately be applied to the wound.

Sexing Cockatiels

Both males and females look remarkably alike especially until they reach sexual maturity. One way to distinguish between the sexes is that the males sing and whistle while the females don’t. Males have bright orange patches on their cheeks, while females have duller patches. Another distinguishing aspect is that females have pale yellow/white dots on the underside of their wings and yellow/white barring on their tails. Males simply do not have this characteristic.

Cockatiels are not generally aggressive and have a good natured disposition. However, in the event that male cockatiels are kept together in a cage, there is a possibility of the dominant male pecking the more timid male, perhaps even preventing it from eating. The solution would be a larger cage with two food trays and two water trays. If however, the dominant male continues pecking the timid male, than separate the birds into different cages.

Egg binding

Egg binding is a medical condition when a female bird is unable to expel an egg. Egg binding can pose a serious threat to cockatiels. Younger females are at a greater risk of dying from egg binding. In the event that a female cockatiel is suddenly puffed-up and listless, it is quite likely due to egg-binding.

The female must immediately be placed in a small cage or shoe-box and provided with additional warmth. A heating lamp would be ideal. Castor oil or even cooking oil can be gently applied in to the birds vent or cloaca, with a Q-tip (a cotton bud) to lubricate the area and facilitate the passing of the difficult egg. One drop of castor oil given orally will also help the passage of the egg. If these basic requirements are provided it is unlikely that the bird will suffer any serious health issues.

Breeding

Cages for breeding cockatiels should be an average size of 20”X20”X50”. The nest-box in the breeding cage should be 9”X11”X12” with a 2” opening. The nest-box can be mounted on the outside of the cage. Most cages now come equipped with a small door at the side of the cage which can be used as an entry to the nest-box. If on the other hand birds are housed in aviaries then the box can be placed inside the aviary itself. Nesting material should consist of pine shavings, shredded paper & freshly cut grass.

Cockatiels live for an average of 15-20 years in captivity and breed well in captivity. Males mature by 12 months of age while females mature by 18 months of age. When a female cockatiel is ready to mate she will sit low on a perch with her tail in the air while emitting a peeping sound while males will tap their beaks on the cage to gain the female’s attention. The eggs are laid a week after mating. The eggs hatch after a period of 21 days. Cockatiels usually lay a clutch of 4-8 eggs, twice a year.

Freeing cockatiels

Freeing cockatiels is just not an option as they will surely be attacked and killed by other predatory birds such as hawks, kites, shikras, crows, etc. as they are vulnerable and unable to fend for themselves. They will also be vulnerable to other predators such as cats, snakes, rats, etc. unless they can find themselves a safe place to roost.

In the wild, cockatiels forage for grain (usually on farms), feed on grass seeds, leaves, vegetables and fruit. Locating such food sources, especially in environments they are not native, would be extremely difficult. Needleless to say, this would be even more difficult in a city.

References

Barrie, A. (1997) Guide to owning a cockatiel. T.F.H. Publications, New Jersey

Grindol, D. (1998) The complete book of cockatiels. Howell Book House, New York

Grindol, D. (2001) Cockatiels for dummies. For Dummies, New York

Mancini, J.R. and Haupt, T. (2008) Cockatiels (Complete pet owner’s manuel). 2nd Ed. Barrons Educational Series, New York

Photographs used

Lucy. Female cockatiel.
Available from:
http://www.cockatiel-birds.com/parrot/7055/female_cockatiel
[Accessed: 21/11/2011]

Corina Gardner. Bent spoon feeder.

Corina Gardner. Juvenile cockatiel.

Devna Arora. Disposable syringe feeder.

Brett Donald. Adult male.
Available from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdonald/3032933616/
[Accessed: 23/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. Feeding a baby cockatiel.
Available from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/page49/
[Accessed: 23/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. New born cockatiel.
Available from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/page49/
[Accessed: 23/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. 1 week old cockatiel. Available form:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/504676509/in/photostream
[Accessed: 23/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. 3 weeks old cockatiel.
Available form: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/page48/
[Accessed: 21/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. 4 weeks old cockatiel.
Available form: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/page48/
[Accessed: 21/11/2011]

Dylan Ashe. 5 weeks old cockatiel.
Available form: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ackook/page47/
[Accessed: 21/11/2011]

Lianne. Enjoying a mist bath.
Available from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ysaleth/2834585666/
[Accessed: 26/11/2011]

Matrixphere. Cockatiel bathing. Available from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matrixphere/73109842/
[Accessed: 26/11/2011]

Ulf Gotthardsson. Cockatiel foraging. Available from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ulfgotthardsson/2981225192/sizes/l/in/
set-72157608229228990/
[Accessed: 21/11/2011]

How Do Cockatiels Feed Their Babies?

We all know that cockatiels are amazing creatures. But did you know that they have an equally amazing way of feeding their young? Here’s a quick look at how these clever birds do it!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Cockatiels are very gentle and loving birds that make great pets. They are also very good parents! If you have ever seen a cockatiel feeding its baby, you may have wondered how they do it.

Cockatiels have a long, curved beak that is perfect for reaching into crevices and getting at tiny insects. They use this beak to catch insects and then feed them to their babies. The baby cockatiels have a structure in their mouths called the crop. This crop is like a stomach where the food is stored until it is digested. The mother cockatiel will feed her baby by regurgitating food from her own crop into the baby’s mouth.

What do Cockatiels Eat?

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Cockatiels are fun and interesting pets. As with all pets, it is important to understand what they eat and how they eat. Cockatiels are native to Australia and eat a variety of foods in the wild including seeds, grasses, fruits, and vegetables. In captivity, they should be fed a diet that includes pellets, fresh vegetables, and fruits.

Pellets:
Pellets should make up the majority of your cockatiel’s diet. They are complete diets that contain all of the nutrients that your cockatiel needs. Many birds will not eat pellets if they are not used to them or if they are not offered them from a young age. It is important to offer pellets to your cockatiel from the time you get them.

Fresh Vegetables:
Fresh vegetables are an important part of your cockatiel’s diet as well. Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens like kale and spinach are all good choices. These vegetables contain important vitamins and minerals that yourcockatiel needs for good health. Fresh fruits can also be given as a treat but should not make up more than 10% of your cockatiil’s diet as they are high in sugar.

Fruits:
Fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, mangoes, and grapes make good treats for your cockatiel. As with fresh vegetables, fruits should only make up a small part of your cockatiil’s diet as they are high in sugar. Cockatiels also like dried fruits such as raisins and apricots but these should also be given sparingly as treats due to their high sugar content

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What is the Cockatiel Reproductive Cycle?

Cockatiels are social birds that mate for life. They reproduce anywhere from two to six times per year, depending on the availability of food and nesting sites. The cockatiel reproductive cycle consists of four stages: courtship, nesting, hatching, and fledging.

Courtship is the first stage of the cockatiel reproductive cycle and usually lasts for about two weeks. During this time, the male will try to attract the female with song, dance, and gifts of food. If the female is interested, she will respond with her own song and dance. The two birds will then start preening each other’s feathers and may even mate.

The second stage of the cockatiel reproductive cycle is nesting. The female will build a nest out of twigs, leaves, and other materials in a tree or on a cliff-face. Once the nest is built, she will lay her eggs in it (usually two to four). She will then incubate them for about three weeks until they hatch.

The third stage of the cockatiel reproductive cycle is hatching. When the chicks hatch, they are blind and cannot fly. The mother will feed them regurgitated food until they are old enough to fend for themselves (usually six to eight weeks).

The fourth and final stage of the cockatiel reproductive cycle is fledging. When the chicks are old enough to fly (usually 12-16 weeks), they will leave the nest and start their own lives.

How do Cockatiels Mate?

Cockatiels mate for life. Once they find a mate, they will usually stay with that mate until one of them dies. To find a mate, males will often sing to attract females. When a female Cockatiel is ready to mate, she will start to make a soft clicking noise. The male will know that she is ready to mate when he hears this noise.

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Cockatiels will usually start mating when they are between one and two years old. The mating process starts with the male Cockatiel feeding the female Cockatiel (this is called courting). After the female accepts the food from the male, she will usually allow him to perch on her back. The two Cockatiels will then mate.

How do Cockatiels Lay Eggs?

Cockatiels lay their eggs in a nest, which is usually a hole in a tree or other cavity. The female will lay two to eight eggs, and incubation takes about two weeks.

The mother will incubate the eggs during the day, and the father will incubate them at night. Both parents will take turns feeding the babies until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

How do Cockatiels Incubate Eggs?

There are three ways that cockatiels incubate eggs. One way is to build a nest in a tree or a bush, lay the eggs in the nest, and then incubate them by sitting on them. The second way is to lay the eggs on the ground and then sit on them. The third way is to incubate the eggs in an artificial incubator.

Cockatiels incubate their eggs by using the warmth of their body to keep the eggs at a constant temperature. They do this by fluffing their feathers to trap heat, and by turning the eggs so that they all get an equal amount of warmth.

The average clutch size for a cockatiel is four eggs, but some females can lay up to eight. The female will usually start to lay her eggs about two days after she mates with the male. It takes about 18 days for the eggs to hatch. Both parents will help care for the chicks once they hatch.

How do Cockatiels Feed Their Babies?

Cockatiels are very nurturing birds and take their role as parents very seriously. Both the male and female will take turns incubating the eggs and once the chicks have hatched, both parents will help to feed them.

Baby cockatiels will be ready to leave the nest after around 8-12 weeks but they will continue to be fed by their parents for some time after that. Once they are fully independent, they will still often return to their parents for a meal now and again!

What do Cockatiel Babies Eat?

Cockatiel babies need a diet that is high in protein in order to grow and develop properly. The best way to ensure that your cockatiel baby gets enough protein is to feed him a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a small amount of high-quality cockatiel seed mix. You can also supplement your cockatiel’s diet with some chopped hard-boiled egg or a little bit of shredded chicken.

How do Cockatiels Wean Their Babies?

Cockatiels will begin to wean their babies between 6 and 8 weeks old. The parents will slowly stop feeding the babies and encourage them to eat on their own. You can tell that a baby is beginning to wean when it starts chewing on its food rather than swallowing it whole.

During the weaning process, it’s important to offer a variety of foods so that the baby Cockatiel gets all the nutrients it needs. A good diet for a weaning Cockatiel includes fresh vegetables, fruits, pellets, and seeds. You can also offer cooked rice, pasta, and beans.

Once your Cockatiel is eating on its own, you can slowly remove the baby food from its diet. Be sure to do this gradually so that your Cockatiel doesn’t get sick.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cockatiels are very nurturing and attentive parents. They work together to keep their babies safe, clean, and fed. If you’re thinking of getting a cockatiel, be prepared for both parents to take an active role in childcare.

Cockatiel chicks: hatching and care

After 18-21 days of incubation, cockatiel chicks begin to hatch from eggs. Usually babies manage to get out of the shell within 24-48 hours after the appearance of the dent. But if that didn't happen, then help is needed.

Newly hatched chicks should have pink skin covered with white and yellow down. If the skin color is pale blue, then the chick has experienced hypothermia and needs your help. Corellas do not immediately feed their cubs, they wait until they are completely dry.

How to clean the nest

Cleaning the cockatiel's nest is very important. The fact is that Corella chicks have practically no immunity, so any dirt in the nest or objects around them can lead to illness and death of the birds.

1. The nest should be cleaned when the parents go to eat. Access to the nest from adult cockatiels must be covered with cardboard. Otherwise, parents can be very aggressive towards you.

2. Prepare a small container, similar to a cockatiel's nest, line it with clean sawdust. Transfer the chicks to a container, remove the remnants of droppings, food and other debris from the nest.

3. Cleaning should be done very quickly so that the parents do not start to worry, and the chicks do not have time to freeze.

4. Please note that the frequency of nest cleaning depends on the age of the chicks. The older the hatched birds become, the more waste remains behind them, therefore, cleaning should be done more often.

Handling chicks

Home raised cockatiel chicks are usually more tame and calm. You can pick up chicks from two weeks of age. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before interacting with birds. You can hold the chicks in your arms for about 15-20 minutes. Gradually, if the chicks feel good, the time of communication with them can be increased. Stroke them lightly, talk to them calmly. Please note that if the parents of the chicks are against your communication with the chicks, then it is better to postpone it.

When do cockatiel chicks leave the nest?

Corella chicks show their first interest in the world on the 25th-27th day of their life. They begin to turn their heads in different directions, examining the surrounding objects. The first exit of chicks from the nest occurs 35-40 days after they hatch. Corella feeds her cubs up to 1.5-2 months of age, then they begin to feed on their own from the feeder. When the babies are out of the nest, their father takes care of feeding them. The mother feeds the younger or weaker chicks.

Why do cockatiels pluck their chicks?

Adult cockatiels sometimes pluck the feathers from their chicks. This can be done by one or both birds. Nobody knows why this happens. Scientists call the main reasons:

√ lack of nutrients;

√ psychological factor (jealousy).

Adults can cause serious damage to their chicks during plucking, so if you notice this, be sure to move the baby to a separate cage.

Cockatiel chicks: care, feeding, photo, video

Parrot breeders can tell a lot about keeping pets from their experience, but not everyone knows how to provide proper care and feeding when cockatiel chicks appear in the house. In the article you will find answers to these questions, as well as how to select a suitable pair for breeding and the stages of development of the offspring that have appeared.

Contents of the article

How to choose a healthy pair for breeding
Emergence and development of cockatiel chicks
Nursing chicks
- Feeding mix options
When cockatiel chicks can be taken from their parents

How to choose a healthy pair for breeding more birds

90. Healthy parents lead to healthy offspring, so take the choice of cockatiels very seriously.

Purchase parrots from reliable breeders or nurseries. There, their age is more likely to be known and you can be sure that the birds were kept in suitable conditions and fed quality food. For more information on how to choose cockatiels, read this article.

Once the birds have settled into your home after purchase, observe them. If you notice that cockatiels have chosen each other among other birds in the aviary, this is the best pair to take for breeding.

In nature, cockatiels choose their partners on their own, therefore at home it is worth adhering to the same principles.

If you have only one cockatiel, then it will be more difficult to find a pair for him. After all, it is not known how your pet will react to the appearance of your chosen partner, whether they will like each other.

Therefore, do not rush to put a newly bought parrot in a cage with your pet. Let them get used to each other a little.

The habituation process is quite simple: put the birds in different cages and put them side by side. In a few days they will get to know each other and get used to each other.

Attention! You need to plant a newly acquired parrot with a partner who has been living with you for a long time no earlier than two to three weeks after they met.

If you notice that the birds do not react aggressively to each other, but, on the contrary, show interest, then they may well form a pair.

It is important that at this moment they are healthy, otherwise the offspring from sick parrots will cause a lot of problems later.

After you put them together in an aviary or in a cage, cockatiels can begin to care for each other, feed a partner and start mating games. So it's nesting time. You will need to prepare a nesting house and change the diet by increasing animal products in it, adding mineral supplements and grain sprouts.

Emergence and development of cockatiel chicks

After 21-23 days after laying the first egg, chicks appear one after another. They hatch blind, covered with a thin yellow down, weighing only 4-5 grams. Over the next week of life, they gain weight and become four times heavier - their weight is already 20 grams. At the same time, they begin to publish a calling squeak when they are hungry. At this time, parents constantly warm the cubs, because due to the lack of plumage they are very sensitive to temperature changes, they can get sick and die.

The eyes of cockatiel chicks open after 10 days of life. By this time, they are already gaining 40 grams in weight, hold their heads well and make loud clicks or squeaks. Then, under the newborn down, the beginnings of the emerging plumage begin to appear.

Important! Ringing cockatiel chicks is carried out approximately on the tenth day of life.

On the 14th day, the rudiments of the crest characteristic of the cockatiel appear on the head of the young. The beak with its shape of a grin begins to resemble the beaks of adults. The chicks already weigh 80 grams.

If at first, feeling hungry, they uttered a squeak, a little later the sound became “poking”, then it becomes similar to croaking or snoring. Hungry babies make a lot of noise.

All this time, the parents feed the chicks first with goiter milk, and then, when the milk stops being produced, with semi-digested food.

On the 20-21st day of life, the yellow fluff from the body of the birds is already completely gone. Their views are already meaningful and curious. Chicks try to imitate the behavior of their parents.

The next week is busy for young individuals: the tuft on the head becomes longer, the entire surface of the body is covered with feathers, a characteristic “blush” appears on the cheeks - orange-red spots. The chicks are already beginning to peck at seeds and grains, that is, they are becoming able to feed themselves.

Monthly birds are already starting to make their first attempts to fly out of the nest. At about six months of age, they leave him forever. For about another 2 weeks, the chicks are fed by their parents until they are completely able to do without them.

In this video you will see with your own eyes the development of cockatiel chicks from birth to full independence:

Nursing chicks

It happens that some female cockatiels do not have a maternal instinct and after hatching the chicks do not begin to feed them. Babies can live without food for several hours, but if the fasting drags on, it is fraught with their death.

If the female has not started to feed her offspring, and you have a couple of cockatiels busy breeding, try laying eggs in another nest. If the female refuses the chicks there, be prepared to feed them yourself. For this, a special infant formula is prepared. It should not be thick and have a temperature of + 36-37 ° C.

Take a budgie, put it back to your palm and inject a drop of the mixture on the side of the beak. If the chick is not too weak yet, he will readily swallow it.

These chicks are fed every 2 hours even at night. Only after seven days it will be possible to switch to feeding at three-hour intervals, and at night (22.00-6.00) feeding is completely canceled. The amount of the mixture will need to be gradually increased.

At the age of two weeks, fosterlings are fed with small millet porridge and baby cereal mixtures.

At three weeks old cockatiel chicks are already accustomed to eating food with their beaks from a spoon or other container. And the older they get, the better they get at it.

Feeding mix options

There are no difficulties in preparing cockatiel chicks. There are several recipes for feeding these babies, you can choose any of them:

Infant formula powder (1 tbsp) and semolina (2 tbsp) are mixed with crushed calcium glycerophosphate and glucose tablets (three each) and boiled chicken eggs (two pieces). The mixture is given to the chicks.
Calcium gluconate and glucose tablets (2 each) are powdered, as well as one vitamin C dragee, mixed with crumbled white breadcrumbs (one and a half tablespoons) and chopped boiled egg. This mixture is given to chicks from 8-10 days old.
Powder of infant formula (1 tbsp) and semolina (3 tbsp) are mixed with calcium gluconate and glycerophosphate (one tablet each) and boiled egg (one piece), grated carrots (1 tbsp. .l.) and 3-4 drops of fish oil (it can be given no more than once every seven days). This nutrient mixture is fed to chicks at the age of three to four weeks. Daily rate - 1 tsp.

When cockatiel chicks can be taken from their parents

Usually parents feed their offspring for two months. However, sometimes the female can make a new clutch, and then feeding ends earlier.

If this happens, the owner must take the young and place them in another cage. In this case, the feeding of cockatiel chicks falls entirely on the person. Although this has its own plus: fosterlings quickly become tame, as they are accustomed almost from birth to reach out to a person in search of food.

The readiness of young animals for independence can be determined by their behavior: they confidently sit on the perches and eat food on their own. Then you can put them away. Chicks of different pairs of cockatiels, if they are about the same age, can be kept in the same aviary or spacious cage. But for the time being, they should not be planted with adults, since the elders can attack the young.

Before six months of age, cockatiel chicks need special attention and care, as they are still very sensitive to drafts, feed quality and hygienic conditions.