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Birds--General/breeding cockatiels

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Expert: - 12/5/2006


Question
hi Chrys
I have a large cage in my living room which houses 4 cockatiels a 5 month old male and a female and a 18 month old male and a female.  Please note that they roam freely all day and only go in the cage at night to sleep. I want to breed the older pair. do I have to get a seperate cage for them or can i just put the nest box inside the cage for them without seperating the 4 of them?

Answer
Hi, Yassmin.  Thanks for posting!

Yes, you need to set them up in a separate cage for themselves and attach the nesting box to the breeding cage.  Don't attach the nesting box until/unless the 18-month old birds are pair-bonded...they have to be pair-bonded first.

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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