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On average, how old are tiels when there is the possibilty of laying eggs?

My Misi been acting "crabby" and seems very sleepy lately. She eats and drinks like normal and her poop looks normal. Just wondering if she may be gearing up for something.

Could she be molting? How do you tell?

Lisa,

Hens are *capable* of reproducing their first year, however it is highly not recommended. If there is no male around, chances are, she might be well over a year old before ever laying the first egg, unless she gets the stimulation to get her hormones going, or is the egg laying type. This time of year, all birds are or can be hormonal, and back touching, petting, some particular diets can trigger an attempt at egg laying, but if you have a single birdie, and depending on how old she is, it's probably just the fact that spring brings out the reproductive hormones, even tho she might not lay an egg.

Sam

I'm so scared of the possibility of Rosie laying eggs

Rosie-----I am too! I got boss and was told she was a boy, and I really didn't want to have egg laying to worry about! I have even caught woody and boss mating-----yet no egg laying. I know, I worry about alot about that too, especially since boss is still kinda young to be laying eggs. Someone told me that their tiels mate and don't lay eggs-----alot of times they won't unless they have a nesting place, and so far I have had good luck with this........ If you suspect something is funny and worried about her laying an egg-----move things around, her cage to other side of room, things inside the cage and give her more hours of sleep, cover cage and give more dark time, especially this time of the year when days are getting longer. I have tried these but I haven't moved the cage anywhere though, and no signs of egg laying! so I am saving my worrying until I see an egg now! Also if your girl is healthy and strong and gets excercise flying, and has a good diet, laying an egg or a few should be not a problem for her--------I was told all of this when I was so worried with boss and so far I am finding out my worries are probably for nothing, so just calm down, relax, ok? if mine isn't laying after mating, then chances are good your girl may not either.

I have concerns about this also. Casper just passed 1 year and we are "egg free". Thank goodness!!! Casper went through a really cranky period about 2 months ago. Since then, I swear she has been a different bird. Lovey dovey and always wanting to be with us. I can't figure them out!! But I sure do love how she has been acting. I think she might be a tad jealous of the new puppy too. She is ALWAYS with me right now.

Females....I just don't know!!

I have two runs going on this same topic, this one and "Tiel acting strange/very sleepy". It went from Misi being crabby, to her being sleepy to not eating. If you didn't catch the other thread, she is at the Vet now, along with her cage mate, Mandi (who is showing NO symptoms, but I wanted to be on the safe side). The avian vet is in Surgery and will see my tiels when she can and than call me. I'm hardly able to do anything I'm so scared for her. I'm glad she's there, but it was very hard to leave. I tend to associate leaving pets at the vet with them not coming back home

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

Luna is about 18 months old and at the age to start laying

Thankfully NOTHING yet!!!!!

This is what I've done to help prevent it - if it really has or not - I don't know. Here it is

1. She has a separate sleep cage - I like to refer to it as her bed.

2.She ALWAYS gets at least 11 hours, most of the time (95%) gets 12 or a little more "sleep" time or at least under the cover.

3. I rearrange the cage and toys every month or 2 - depends on how busy I am.

4. NEVER stroke her wings or lower part of her back, I keep petting to the head, neck and I will pet her from the top of her head down the back of her neck to where her wing shoulder start - about 2 1/2 inches from the top of the head.

She has fresh veggies everyday, seed, avi-cakes, pellets and so forth. She doesn't have a male to encourage it either - so Rosies Mom and Lisa - I wouldn't worry too much. Keep an eye on them when they romp around so they don't get into and hiding places.

Lisa - have you heard her make the really cute squeaky sound that's very soft, and lift her tail? That's the "I'm ready! are you? come on lets' do it!!!!"

If anyone else has stuff to add PLEASE let us know - an ounce of prevention...

Jo

Surprisingly she does that to my husband (the only time she shows affection to him!) and has done it only once with me. With him - he is just near her and she does it!! Horny little birdie! If the girls start that, redirect their attention with a toy or perch or whatever you have handy or pick them up a bit more assertively then normal to snap them out of it.

I'm not worrying too much about it anymore!! I did enough of that already. I'm comfortable with the fact that she has a good diet and gets lots of exercise despite her wings are clipped. If she lays some - she lays some, there is nothing more I can do - for now we are fine.

Well, this is coming from a person that has one female tiel caged with not one, but TWO males. I only get eggs when I am attempting to breed and give them a box. Not that they don't have "fun", but I just don't get eggs.

They get daylight as the sun allows, because with the size of my cage, I cannot cover them completely. I make sure that they have pleanty of mineral blocks and cuttlebone in the cage, exercise and a great diet.

Yes I do worry from time to time that Unix will lay, but she hasn't since I took her nestbox away with her one and only chick that she plucked several years ago.

I'm not saying that it can't happen, but just make sure your tiels are healthy and happy and you shouldn't have many problems.