[FreidaK]

My birds have decided to mate and I haven't been able to really discourage them so my son bought them a nest box. I've had lots of cockatiels but have never bred them. I'm sure this isn't the right kind of box even tho it said it was online 😒 I put a piece of millet in the opening to encourage them to check it out and they did, kind of, but they apparently decided they don't like it. They keep mating but they refuse to actually go in the box. Now today my girl keeps going to the floor of the cage and crouches in the corner making low chirps. I'm sure she is trying to lay an egg but I don't know how to get her to go in the box!? I'm sure they'll be fertile as they are known to have clutches before, but I don't have much info on them from before I got them. If I take the impending egg and put it in the nest box will she just ignore it?

 

[Daytontiel]

If the girl decides to lay an egg at the bottom of the cage, you can put an opened box at the same spot. I am pretty sure, you can move the eggs into the box with some bedding, she will take care the egg and lay more there.

I am not sure if she will lay in nest box even if there is an eggs moved to there. ( My guess is the nest box is not at the bottom of the cage?)

Cockatiel will first choose a spot for their nest, then, start laying eggs. Once spot is chosen, it is hard to change, in my opinion. I would love to know others' opinion about this.

 

[FreidaK]

If the girl decides to lay an egg at the bottom of the cage, you can put an opened box at the same spot. I am pretty sure, you can move the eggs into the box with some bedding, she will take care the egg and lay more there.

I am not sure if she will lay in nest box even if there is an eggs moved to there. ( My guess is the nest box is not at the bottom of the cage?)

Cockatiel will first choose a spot for their nest, then, start laying eggs. Once spot is chosen, it is hard to change, in my opinion. I would love to know others' opinion about this.

Thank you for the reply! I was thinking that might be a solution! No, the nest box is attached outside at the top. It is one of those sideways boxes tho and I think it's just not the right style for tiels... As soon as my shop warms up this spring I'll build the normal type so hopefully the next batch will hatch inside, of course they may just be used to having their babies on the cage bottom? I wish I knew more about their background but I think they were just used to make babies as they are extremely untamed...poor kids!
Thanks again!

 

[Daytontiel]

Thank you for the reply! I was thinking that might be a solution! No, the nest box is attached outside at the top. It is one of those sideways boxes tho and I think it's just not the right style for tiels... As soon as my shop warms up this spring I'll build the normal type so hopefully the next batch will hatch inside, of course they may just be used to having their babies on the cage bottom? I wish I knew more about their background but I think they were just used to make babies as they are extremely untamed...poor kids!
Thanks again!

I am not sure if yours get used to bottom of cage. They tender to like a slightly dark spot for nest. I was used to hanging transparent nest box for mine. They never like it, they just jump in play with nest material, never want make nest there. Since I switch to cardboard box, there is no issue. I usually attach nest box at the side of cage. I just use cardboard box as nest box.

It seems some breeders believe tamed parents are not good for breeding, so, they keep " wild "bird for breeding purpose. To me, this belief is not true.

 

[FreidaK]

I am not sure if yours get used to bottom of cage. They tender to like a slightly dark spot for nest. I was used to hanging transparent nest box for mine. They never like it, they just jump in play with nest material, never want make nest there. Since I switch to cardboard box, there is no issue. I usually attach nest box at the side of cage. I just use cardboard box as nest box.

It seems some breeders believe tamed parents are not good for breeding, so, they keep " wild "bird for breeding purpose. To me, this belief is not true.

I have seen your mentioning using a cardboard box before and it did interest me - I had thought that they would chew thru such a thing but saw that for you this hadn't been a problem! How interesting! I might try that!
I had read conflicting information about whether cockatiels would make better parents if untamed but it was really inconclusive 😕 I think you're right tho, it probably doesn't matter as I've seen a LOT of posts on here of people having no trouble with their tame birds successfully breeding. Also it seems it would be a lot easier to manage them and the babies if the parents were tame!
So I've been working with them, VERY slowly, and hope that soon we will be happy together! Right now they are not even willing to get on a handheld perch when they're out of their cage - they can sure bite hard! I've never had experience with such wild birds, but I can't see trying to take care of them properly with them being so aggressive, ie., clipping their nails and wings etc...
Thank you again for the replies, very helpful! 😁

 

[FreidaK]

So I have an update on the nesting box issue -
I was up in the 'big city' to see my oldest son the other day and decided to check out Pet Smart - they actually had ONE cockatiel nest box so I bought it and brought it home. After attaching it the next morning, to my delight, they studied it for about 10 minutes and then the female went right in and started chirping. My male was outside of the box just going crazy singing and whistling! They're both sooooo happy right now and are spending lots of time modifying the box to their liking 😁 Obviously the other box was just not right and this one is. They've been mating like crazy and I'm sure I'll be seeing eggs soon!
This has been the biggest worry for me lately, I want them to be happy and I think they are now - now if I can just get them to eat their veggies! Lol
Thanks again for the help!
Freida