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Hey everyone,

As most of you remember my Cockatiels have been mating for some time now and I added a nestbox a few months back. They had not paid any attention to it, so we thought they were just having fun. Well today, my female Tango has been in the Nestbox and picking at the hole. What should I be expecting next? What should I look out for? As always, thanks for the knowledge!

Lori

Hi Lori,

Actually, it should be the male pecking at the hole in the box to make it suitable (aka MY box ) before the female becomes interested, however if the hen is close to being ready to lay, she might be the initiator of the nesting situation. My hen, Missy was always the first to show nesting behavior with Smokey following close in tow. Either way, both should start becoming interested in the box, and chewing/enlarging the hole or shaping it as they deem appropriate. After that, it's in and out of the box as eggs are laid, assuming she's going to lay. At that point, nature takes over and everything else becomes totally irrelevant to them, and humans, including you will be considered an intruder and they will hiss, fluff up, bite, and otherwise try to molest anything that comes within a certain distance of the box or their "domain"

Sam

Sam,

Thanks for the info! I have not seen Tiki in the nestbox at all yet, is it possible that they go in there at night after they are covered? They used to be real quiet at night, now they make a little noise. Stay close by your computer .... I might need you lol!

Lori

Sam,

You were right ... Tango (F) started entering the nestbox and shaping the hole. Tiki (M) followed the next day, now he spends most of his time in there and she goes in and out. It's so cute though, he calls her back in and she responds immediatley. I think they are breeding in there now too, they usually do that in the water dish and Tiki sings and does all his noises when they are finished. He was doing that from inside the nestbox yesterday and it was so cute. I have to tell you this whole process is just facinating to me and I feel really blessed to be able to watch it.

Lori

Hi Lori,

Yes, it is a very interesting event to watch unfold. I assume you are wanting them to have chicks, correct? There are a lot of things to watch for as they progress forward. One of the things you'll notice is they will not poop in the nestbox, but will hold their poo until they get out. You'll see them both drop a bomb sometimes as much as a teaspoon full at once, and you wonder where they stored all that poop Are you planning on them feeding the chicks, or will you try to hand feed them? I'd suggest letting the parents feed them, especially for the first couple or three weeks, so they get the antibodies the parents carry, as well as the beneficial bacteria they contribute in food. The chicks won't be as hand-friendly as a hand fed bird, but with mine, they will, over time, become socialized and as tame as any hand fed bird around. I chose that method for the reasons stated above, plus I couldn't see myself getting up and feeding them every hour or two 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The parents are much better at doing that than I ever hope to be. Some other interesting tid-bits you'll get to witness is how they preen the chicks, helping them get the sheaths off the new feathers, and how delicate the parents can be with those tiny little creatures. It's very touching to watch a grown bird handle something that only weighs maybe 5 grams. You'll get to hear the feeble begging for food which will get louder and louder till the point it sounds like a mad beehive full of angry bees or worse, some kind of horrible monster growling The best part, at least to me, is watching the chicks evolve from that ugly monster looking shape with no feathers morph into a beautiful little bird, that in 4 weeks will be ready to fly almost as well as the parents. Never having had a flying lesson at all, they just know how to use their wings and get airborne. Landings take practice, and the chicks are quite clumsy. All that and many more wonders to behold. If you want to catch all the action, put a webcam in their box and record the activities and sound. It's wonderful...

Sam

Thanks Sam,

Yes, I want them to have babies even though that was a very controversial subject back in October. I am so excited and can't wait for the happy event. I am well prepared, I have alerted the Breeder that I know and he is ready and willing to help me if I need him. I don't plan to hand feed, I agree with you whole heartedly on that subject. The parents are better equiped for that than I am and I trust "Mother Nature". My only concern is my Tiels are "Seed Junkies", they refuse to eat anything healthy at all. I have tried rice and vegies over and over again ... they won't even touch it. I am putting whole wheat bread in now, hoping they will at least go for that. My concern is for when and if babies come ... what will they feed them if they only eat seed? Thanks again for all of your support and advice, you really don't know how much I appreciate it!

Blessings,
Lori