Expert: Cynthia Kiesewetter - 9/17/2008

Question
I've had my cockatiel for about 3 years now, and the woman I adopted him from said he was at least a year old.  He's been to the veterinary annually, and except for a yeast problem last year, he's had a clean bill of health. So, imagine my surprise when I come back from vacation to find that he has laid an egg.  I know, I know, its a girl, but the original owners and the vet were convinced it was a male, probably because she is vocal, is larger in body weight and has bright cheek patches.

Anyway, the babysitter did immediately remove the first egg, which I wish she hadn't done.  Its been a few weeks, and now she's laid two more and is incubating them and being very protective (aggressive).  I'm just a little worried because she's displaying signs of illness when she's on her eggs at the bottom of the cage: ruffled feathers, occasionally closed eyelids.  Is this just normal nesting behavior?  I've got her on a pellet/seed/dried fruit and veggie mix, offer some kale and spinach and a cuttle bone.  She's not eating as much as she did before, but she is catching a bite every now and then.  Should I be concerned?  Is there anything else I should be doing?

Answer
Liz,

It sounds like you are doing a great job...except for the spinach.  Kale is good, but spinach can bind the calcium.

The behavior she is exhibiting is normal nesting behavior.  The ruffled feathers not only help her warm her eggs but keep her warm.  I don't know about you, but when I'm sitting in my office all nice and toasty, my eyes want to close, too!

Be aware that when she comes off those eggs, she may have some large, smelly evacuations.  That's perfectly normal, too.

She will most like stay on those eggs for a couple of more weeks at least.  Don't be tempted to take them away until then.

Good luck,
Cindy