https://www.chewy.com/education/bird/cockatiel/handling-cockatiel-eggs
*Cockatiels are charming and affectionate pets with unique care needs. In the Cockatiel Education Hub, you’ll find information on vocalization, social bonding, nutrition, and creating a safe and engaging environment tailored to your cockatiel’s personality.
Cockatiels, like other parrots, must turn their eggs twice daily to ensure they remain viable, which means eggs are unlikely to hatch if this has not been done properly.
While cockatiels generally tolerate human interaction with their eggs - such as candling to check for fertility - less tame or newly bonded pairs may become stressed by frequent disturbances.
It is best to minimize handling during incubation to avoid accidental damage.
If you must remove an egg temporarily, make sure to warm it in your hands before returning it to the nest, as cold eggs are typically rejected.
Always allow the female to abandon the eggs naturally, as removing them prematurely can trigger her to lay more in an instinctive attempt to replace the lost clutch. Eggs laid outside the nest box can be gently moved into the nest if the birds are calm and the egg is warm.
Typically, a cockatiel pair will produce four to six eggs per clutch.
If you notice significantly more eggs, you may have two females rather than a breeding pair.
When a proper nest box is introduced, the male will usually inspect it first to determine safety, followed by the female spending increasing amounts of time inside.
Some hens begin sitting after the first egg, while others wait until the second or third is laid. Incubation takes about 18 days from when sitting begins in earnest, so allow extra time if this is delayed.
During this period, provide a nutrient rich diet that includes soft foods, dark leafy greens, and cuttlebone to support the parents’ health and their eventual feeding of chicks.
Chewy editorial team emphasizes these important tips for egg handling to ensure the health and safety of both the cockatiels and their eggs. Proper care, minimal disturbance, and appropriate nutrition are key to successful breeding and the well being of the birds throughout the nesting process.
