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Birds--General/cockatiel in heat

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Expert: - 10/13/2007


Question
I have two female cockatiels that have been living together with minimum problems for over 3 years.  One has suddenly been in heat every other day.  I found an egg in the cage.  I am guessing she is protective of her egg.  She started attacking the other bird and actually drew blood.  I seperated the birds hoping she would realize the egg is gone.  I'm afraid to put them together but I thought they would be lonely apart.  Don't know what to do.

Answer
Hi, Charles,

Your female is laying infertile eggs due to hormonal activity.  Keep them separated for the time being and leave any laid eggs right where she lays them and let her abandon them when she is ready.  Removing any laid eggs will likely result in her laying more and more and more until she has a full clutch under her.  Therefore, don't remove any laid eggs.  Keep a cuttlebone available in the cage, too, to replenish any calcium loss.  You can house them next to each other in separate cages until the hormonal activity passes.  This is all perfectly normal.  Females will fight over laid eggs.

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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