Breeding Cockatiels

Many people think that cockatiel breeding is very easy as most birds are very prolific in most conditions. However, to really appreciate the birds needs and for longevity, cockatiels should only have their nestboxes available to them during the summer months. Also no pair of birds should be allowed to have more than 3 clutches of chicks per year. As a general rule, cockatiels are mature at 1 year old but it is best if they are 2 years old before being allowed to pair up for breeding.
There are many different colours in the group now and ideally only the same colours should be paired. It is preferential to keep whitefaced mutations separate from the normal (orange cheeked) mutations.
Many people ask for a specific sex when buying a baby cockatiel but this is not always easy, even for the breeder, to determine. Sometimes a breeder will have a pair that is "sex-linked" i.e. through experience he/she has found that over the years the same pair of birds produce the same sexes per colour of chick. This cannot be determined in breeding lutinos, greys or normal pieds as sexes are identical.
	Cockatiels breed best on the colony system but all nestboxes must be hung at the same height in the aviary, also there must be at least one extra box to pairs of birds (i.e. 6 boxes - 5pairs); if these two points do not happen
there will be arguing between males and often eggs/chicks lost. Nestboxes can be purchased from most dealers/shops and should be with side opening (for nest inspection) - size of box to be 9" square x 18" deep.
Our nestboxes are hung beginning March & removed again during August. There is sufficient time for healthy birds to have their 3 clutches but will be allowed no more than that. Before hanging boxes spray them well with Johnsons Anti-mite spray and after each clutch of chicks thoroughly clean nestboxes & respray again with Johnsons Anti-mite spray, to keep lice at bay.
Boxes are filled with 2" fresh peat then 3-4" coarse woodshavings (shavings must be of untreated wood).
A clutch of eggs can be between 2 & 7 eggs, although it is best for the hen to brood no more than 5 fertile eggs maximum. From point of "sitting" to hatch is usually around 18 days. Feed a good quality cockatiel or parrakeet mix, one which is clean & dust free, we use a mix that is vitaminised - for the extra health properties. The parent birds will take lots of eggfood & millet sprays to feed their babies, also dandelion, sowthistle & chickweed is very beneficial (well-washed before offering) When mixing eggfood, include some form of calcium (we use calcivet & nutrobal), also tinned sweetcorn & hardboiled egg is very much appreciated when mixed with the eggfood (Cede or EMP).
Check the nestbox daily to see all is well, if a chick is found to be weak & looks uncared for then it must be removed & brought indoors to be hand-fed if it is to survive. Chicks usually flourish when given the required feed requirements and will fledge the box between 4 & 6 weeks. The parent birds will continue feeding their offspring on the perch for a few more weeks but usually chicks are independant by 10-12 weeks. A careful eye must be kept on the offspring to make sure they are independant before removing them from their parents.

Kindly Written by Muriel Barnes of M.K.B. Birds
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Breeding Cockatiels