Expert: Teresa Weingart - 11/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Teresa

Good Day to You. I would like to ask you that I have 3 pairs of cocktails and they all are almost 10 months old and they have not bred so far. Just a week ago I put them altogether in cage of 3 x 3. In this cage there were 3 males and 7 females. 2 males have recently been introduced to my cocktail family and they are eno-pied. The rest contains, 1 grey male, 2 grey females, 2 pearl females, 3 yellow females. The eno-pied started fighting initially with others but after few hours both eno's tried to attract both pearl females. So I separated them in an individual cages as pair. Males often goes inside the pot start singing/chirping but females are not showing interest so far. As you are well aware that the mating season of cocktails has started, so what are the best possible measures I can do to make them breed as they are touching the age of breeding. Your kind expertise in this regard will be appreciated.

Regards

Jahanzaib Bhatti

ANSWER: Hello Jahanzaib -

Thank you for your question.

One thing is for certain, you can never force cockatiels to mate.  It's like forcing two people to date who can't stand each other. It has to be a natural process.  When two birds are placed together, bonding may take time.  It can be a short time or a long time.  It may also be that the birds never bond for whatever reason.  Leave them together for a couple of months with a nestbox and see what happens.  If nothing, separate males & females for a short period and try again.  Patience is key.

A couple of other points:

It's best to breed cockatiels when there is extended daylight.  I don't know what the climate is like where you are but where I am, breeding season ended when daylight savings began.

The best time to start breeding is when they at least a year old.  Though it can happen sooner, 12 months is when the are typically "mature" enough.

Don't over-breed. Female cockatiels can develop problems when they lay too many clutches in a twelve month period.  Try to keep it at twice a year.

A final note, be aware that cockatiels aren't always the best parents.  When they do have young ones, sometimes they are short on patience and they can turn on them.  Just be prepared to take over with hand-feeding.  I've had to do this before when the little ones were kicked out of the nestbox, attacked, etc.  It's just part of their nature.  

Good luck to you.

Teresa



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Teresa

Good day to You and bundle of thanks for your kind reply. I would like to ask you another thing if the male is couple of months younger than a female, do it creates a problem or it is good to place a younger male with the female and also inform me that what are the best natural feeds which are essential for the cocktails while they are breeding or they are about to breed. Your usual co-operation in this regard is required.

Regards

Jahanzaib Bhatti

Answer
Hello Jahanzaib -

It shouldn't matter that there is a couple of months difference in the age.  Wait and see if they bond.

Regarding food, I don't recall needing anything in particular.  A good quality seed, spray millet should do.  As along as they appear to be eating normally and have healthy plumage, they should be fine.

Regards,

Teresa