Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/10/2006

Question
For the 1st time ever my cockateils have laid and hatched eggs.I have no idea what or how to handle them. When are you supposed to wean them?does the mom do all this herself? Should I be taking care of them at all,specially since we'd like them to be hand-tamed?They were hatched 4/19 and are 2wks today. Thank you for any advice you can give me

Answer
Hi, Julie.  Thanks for posting.

Congratulations!  However, you have a lot to learn! :)

I have a website that has lots of information on parrots, including handfeeding, raising, etc.  
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

If you want hand-tame cockatiels, there's 2 ways you can accomplish this:  (1) you can pull the babies completely from the parents, house them in a brooder (I can give you info on this), and handfeed them 4 times per day (with baby parrot handfeeding formula and using a handfeeding syringe).  This is the best way for them to imprint on humans and be tame pets; (2) you can leave them with the parents and handfeed them a couple times per day (parents would feed the rest of the time) or, at minimum, handle them several times per day, so they don't have a fear of humans when they get older.  I cannot guarantee they will be tame/as tame if you use method #2.  For handfeeding, you would need to pull the babies now.  Also, if there is a big clutch of babies (4-6), I recommend you pull the 2 oldest babies for handfeeding anyhow so the remaining 4 babies can get the nutrition they need (or at least help the parents by supplementing the feedings, particularly the younger ones).  With a large clutch, usually the oldest ones get fed first and often the younger ones don't get enough and may not be as healthy/big as they could be (some could die)...depends on the parents, how healthy they are, and how good of parents they are/whether they can keep all the babies sufficiently fed and themselves properly nourished.  However, you have to know how to handfeed first!  Handfeeding formula is available at most pet shops that cater to birds or you can get on the internet (handfeeding syringes also).  I've had the most success with Kaytee Exact (they offer 2 types:  one just for macaws and one for all other parrots...you would buy the one made for all other parrots), however, there are other brands on the market.

You can handle the babies, but you just have to ensure your hands are clean of germs, etc., and be gentle with them of course.  They can easily slip out of your hands.  

Weaning should take place when the individual baby is ready (when they start pecking at things on the bottom of the brooder/cage/nestbox).  I normally start the weaning process at 4 weeks of age (normally weaned completely at 8 weeks of age).  See my website for info on weaning.  With a lot of babies, they will likely wean at different times because some are older than others (the older ones might be more ready earlier than others).  The parents will wean them if you leave them with the parents.  The parents will also teach them how to maneuver around the cage, how to feed, drink, etc., when the babies are ready, if you leave them with the parents.  However, leaving them with the parents for raising won't guarantee hand-tame babies.  In handfeeding, you are basically taking the place of the parents and you have to assume that role.

So, what you do from here depends on what you want to do and what your lifestyle will allow and how quickly you learn!.  In other words, if you pull the babies for handfeeding, you will have to make yourself available to handfeed them 4 times per day (6/7am, 11/12, 4/5pm, 9/10pm) until you start the weaning process at 4 weeks (the handfeedings are cut down by 1 per day each week thereafter until the baby is weaned completely).  Whatever you decide to do, you need to do quickly before the babies get much older.  I usually like to pull the babies for handfeeding before they open their eyes (or ASAP after they open) so they see/hear/smell me at each feeding instead of their parents.  Also, after 2 weeks of age, they grow quickly and will be fully feathered and walking around/playing before you know it!

You're probably full of questions so come back when you need to.  Baby cockatiels are so cute!

Chrys