Cockatiel: Breeding
Pairing
Cockatiels exhibit social monogamy, forming very strong life-long relationships with their partners, which persist throughout the year, in order to ensure the pair can take full advantage of any favourable breeding conditions within their habitat during the entire year.
A bonded pair is sexually faithful, are always in close proximity of each other, are behaviourally similar and synchronised (copy each other), show much reduced aggression (which aids to preserve the monogamous pairing), partake in frequent allopreening, with amplified sexual displays and several copulations per day. Although there are some cocks which can be promiscuous, particularly if their partner seems unresponsive.
Cocks tend to initiate courtship and are more aggressive to other cocks in the flock, than towards other hens. Finally, hen aggression is directed mainly towards those cock birds which are not her mate, generally ignoring other hens.
Breeding Requirements
Provided you have an equal ratio of fit, healthy and happy cocks and hens in a large enough outdoor aviary or indoor flight cage; a Cockatiel sized nest box - 10" square x 16" tall with a lined with a thick layer of newspaper (which makes cleaning out much easier), covered with a 2" layer of wood shavings, shredded newspaper or paper hamster bedding; and an ample diet (including daily fruit, vege and egg-food), Cockatiels are relatively easy to breed, being particularly suitable for the amatuer breeder.
Cock Bird Sexual Displays
Displaying cock birds: notice the wings held away from the body and crossed or wide at the back, the crest held flat against the head, all feathers pulled tightly into the body, plus the open beak as he's singing his courtship song. He would also be struting up and down the perch in front of the hen, and noding incessently.
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Hen Recipricating Behaviour
If the hen decides the cock bird is a potential mate she may offer her head to be preened, beg for feeding or flatten herself to the perch for mating. The latter can occur as a gradual flowing pattern of sexual behaviour or as indiviual precursers to pair bonding or mating.
The Resultant Bonded Pair Behaviour
Bonded pairs can be distinguished by their affinity and closeness. Usually they follow each other everywhere, will always sit close together and mutual preen.
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The Hen Ready for Mating - Flattening to the Perch for Mounting
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Here
The
onlooker is |
Mating Behaviour
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Here
a Normal Grey cock has mounted  .
He grasps onto her wings with his claws and she supports his
whole body weight which is why her legs are side apart. The
cock bird then flicks his tail under hers and they rub cloacas
whilst muttering to each other, usually until the cock bird
loses his grasp and almost falls off. They are overlooked
by the Grey's brother who later jumped onto the cock's back,
whilst the pair were still mating. |
The Search for a Nest
This stage may occur prior to of post mating - it entirely depends on the pair's choice.
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The
cock bird will initially look inside all potential nest boxes. |
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p | ...maybe
venture inside. |
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He
will then look around for the hen to let her know he's found
a good nest... |
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p | ...she
will then come and have a look for herself... |
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...and if she decides this is the right nest, she will have a look around and start improving the place by adding nesting material and chewing the box. The cock will guard the nest viligently until the hen begins incubation. The pair will defend their box and the surrounding territory with mild aggression. |
Egg Laying & Incubation
After about 7 to 8 days from mating, the hen will begin laying between 2 and 8 white eggs, every other day. Incubation usually begins once the fourth egg is layed. Incubation last 18 days.
It is imperitive that the nest box has a good humidity inside, otherwise the eggs will dry out and die.
Hatching & Chick Development
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Chicks
hatch covered with a very fine pale yellow down. Eyes are
closed. At this stage the feet are tiny and the wings look
like little arms, with the thumb clearly visible. the chicks
will even use the wings aswell as the legs to move around.
At this age they cannot support their head... |
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Aged
1 and 2 days old. |
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The
chicks grow rapidly and pin feathers begin to emerge at day
7. Eyes are still closed. They are getting better at supporting
their heads... |
Aged
8 and 9 days old (egg tooth still visible on the tip of the
beak) |
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p | They
will hook their heads over their clutch-mates neck and huddle
close together to keep warm. |
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Once
the chicks open their eyes at 10 days and start feathering
up at about 14 days old, they begin to become extremely inquisitive
of the world around them. |
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22 day old cock. |
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p | At
this age, they relish human companionship (these chicks are
parent-reared, aviary bred), and love nothing more than a
cuddle. Thay can grip very tightly with their needle sharp
claws and will make every attempt to climb, jump and even
begin trying to stretch their wings at this age. |
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Though
there are still some who seem to like a good old moan... |
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23
day old cock. |
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A
chick begging to be fed. They will emit a stong, loud screeching,
almost croaking sound. The sound is slightly similar to that
of an adult bird in danger eg. leg caught on something. This
chick is most likely being hand-reared. |
Fledging
Fledging occurs at 5-6 weeks. At this stage, they have very soft dense plumage, short crests and short tails and cocks have baby coloured faces (identical to hens). Fledglings are weaned and indepenant of their parents at 12 weeks of age, and must NOT be sold beforehand.
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Pearl
Pied fledling hen & Cinnamon/Pied fledgling cock |
Pearl
fledling cock |
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Normal
Grey fledling cock |
Normal
Grey fledling hen & cock, & Cinnamon fledling cock
at rear. |
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Cinnamon
split Pied fledgling cock |
Feather plucking
Feather plucking by the over-zelous parents can occur in the nest, either due to inexperience, over-preening or the parents trying to force the young to fledge if they are a little behind in their development. The feather plucked young emerge looking very similar to little vultures! The feathers will grow back very quickly and is not of great concern.
