[Parrotman29]

Alright, i have a few questions on inbreeding cockatiels, I am asking because i bought 2 birds from a local breeder that sadly passed away, My beloved Kiki and my beloved Benjamin, he was the sweetest bird i've ever have had, sadly they've both crossed the rainbow bridge

I assume Benjamin died from incest as i took care of him the best i could, i bought him the largest cage i could buy, bough the best quality food for all my birds, he was out of his cage as much as possible, he was always so sweet and sadly he crossed the rainbow bridge, i would've never thought he would cross the rainbow bridge so young

I Want to ask what are the health risks of inbreeding and what are the diseases it increases the chances of?

 

[Jo Hess]

Ouch!! That is a double answered question. They will try to inbreed as they don't particularly recognize flock mates to siblings.
I've had males and females for some 20 years, but don't want to breed them at all. The boys are driven to find the most unusual places and ways to provide a nest for the girl. But good news is, the girls are smart enough to know that it is not right for breeding. They don't die of incest. They will do what comes naturally, regardless to whom or when/where.
Maybe it is what you might have been feeding them. They don't live long with a seed based only diet. They need corn (love), peas, veg and greens, plus some protein from meat or tiny bit of cooked egg. I put boiling water over frozen veg for about 2 mins before giving. Don't have to cook them. They don't like fruit at all but love cooked potato for some reason. I've heard of the rare bird who will eat one fruit in particular, but rare. All in small quantities. My tame birds will always come to me for food they may or not like. Turn their beaks up by smell before eating.
Most of what is bad or deadly to them, they won't eat. Nothing from the mushroom, onion, tomato family at all, and avocado will kill them fast. They know what is good or bad for them.
Persevere if you want tiels, but keep them apart as much as you can if you don't want babies. NO nesting boxes. I've had 2 girls who have laid eggs big time for me as they see me as their partner. All good. Current boy (1 year old) mates on back of my hand. Gets his rocks off, but no babies. Love is love....I guess 🥰