Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 7/11/2008

Question
hello.

I have a cockatiel. She is 5 years old, and has started laying her very first clutch of eggs. She started about 5 days ago and has laid 3 so far. (They are unfertilized, don't worry.)

My questions:

First, how long was she "pregnant?" There was absolutely no indication from her that she might lay eggs until the day she started to try and lay them.

Second, why did she become "pregnant?" There is no male, or cagemate for that matter.

Thirdly, is there anything I can provide to make her more comfortable? The eggs are nestled in the corner of her cage at the bottom, and she just sits on them all day. Sometimes I'll give her some food or a treat that she nibbles on while she sits. Should I put something soft in her cage for her?

Thanks for any help.

Answer
Hi, Kayla,

Your female is laying infertile eggs due to increased hormonal activity during breeding season.  Birds don't get "pregnant" as we know the term.  It takes about 10 days from the start of increased hormonal activity for the first egg to be laid, then eggs are usually laid one every other day until a full clutch is laid.  A full clutch for a tiel can be as few as 3-4 eggs to as large as 6-7 eggs.  She doesn't need to be made "more comfortable."  She is just fine sitting on her infertile eggs.  Just allow her to sit on her infertile eggs until she abandons them on her own.  If you remove any eggs before she is ready, she will most likely continue to lay and lay.  Once she abandons them, you can remove them.

To help stop her from laying eggs, you should decrease the amount of available light to 10-12 hrs per day or 8-10 hrs per day if necessary.  Ensure she has plenty of cuttlebone in her cage to replace any needed calcium loss.

Chrys