AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott Date: 7/5/2008 Subject: M/F pair layed eggs, inubated 21 days today, now stopped sitting on them?!?
Question Hello,
I have a Male and female pair of cockatiels (i know for a fact they are male and female!) they laid their first egg June 13th, their second June 15, third june 17, and fourth june 19th. the female began sitting on the eggs and guarding her nest right away but i have yet to see the male sit (even thought most sites about tiel breeding suggest the male sits on the eggs during the day) she has done an excellent job sitting on her eggs and i expected the first one to hatch either tuesday july 4th (18days) or today (21days) but nothing has happened??? so my questions are
A) does the male HAVE to help sit on the eggs for them to hatch??
B) does the fact that they did not hatch before today indicate they are infertile or should i leave them a bit longer?
thank you for any advice you can give, im so hoping for babies and have my vets office on standby to help me learn to handfeed if for some reason the parents reject the babies.
thanks :-)
Answer I'm sorry you don't have chicks by now, but give it a few more days until you're positive the parents have abandoned the nest.
The male doesn't have to sit on the eggs for them to incubate properly, as long as the female is doing her job and maintaining them. This would include not just keeping them warm, but regularly turning them.
If the parents have gone off the nest at this point it's likely they aren't viable eggs for one reason or the other. It's good that the hen has given them her attention though since this curbs further laying - and too much laying can be very health threatening.
Copy and paste this into your address bar to find out more
www.4AnimalCare.org/birds
By the way, good job in having your vet at the ready!
