Are the cockatiel eggs not hatching yet?
You may have been eager to see new birds born in the nest, only to realize that the eggs are still… Eggs. So why does this happen?
Ease your worries about this situation by reading this post. When you have a pet cockatiel that happens to need some assistance to hatch the eggs, then you can definitely do something – keep reading to learn more!
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Causes Of Cockatiel Eggs Not Hatching
So now, let’s talk about the reasons why cockatiel eggs are not hatching.
When the eggs don’t hatch, it means they are infertile, or the age of the bird is not mature enough yet. Moreover, there are instances when a lack of material for making a nest can impact the egg’s infertility.
Here are more reasons why the eggs may be infertile:
1. The eggs are not fertilized
Some cockatiels may lay infertile eggs – and yet they are not even fertile. Thus, the eggs are not fertilized, which means the sperm fails to fertilize these. Furthermore, these eggs may be in nests that are not quite strong enough as an environment for allowing young birds to develop.
It is also worth noting that cockatiels may lay their eggs at the bottom portion of the cage or even in the feed. This is typical with female birds that have no male partners with them.
2. Young age
Another possibility for cockatiel eggs not hatching is that the bird is not mature yet for breeding purposes. Perhaps, your cockatiel is not one year old yet, thus the eggs are infertile – even if the bird has laid these eggs.
But once your pet has becoming mature enough for breeding, then it can be possible for it to lay fertile eggs.
3. Poor genetic diversity
One thing that is very important for eggs to be fertile is for them to obtain genes from the parents. So, if the male and female birds are related, such as in the case of sibling birds, then it may be possible for them to mate but only to produce infertile eggs.
This is why if your birds come from a similar species, then it can be an issue with eggs not hatching. You need to have more genetic diversity to produce fertile eggs.
4. Poor health
It is worth mentioning that when your pet’s health is not great, this can negatively impact the eggs’ fertility. Do keep in mind that cockatiel eggs require several nutrients that are essential for their development.
Thus, you need to make sure that your pet is getting ample nutrients and healthy food during the breeding season. You should make it a point to provide the best quality food to ensure the chances of producing fertile eggs.
5. Insufficient nesting material
Aside from the bird’s health and maturity, a lack of proper nesting material can also affect the possibility of having fertile eggs. Your cockatiel is unable to create the right nest necessary for raising chicks or laying eggs.
For example, cockatiels would need some tree branches and also some shredded cotton or paper for building the right nest. So, if these are not available, then they will end up laying eggs elsewhere. It may be at any corner or the bottom part of the cage, which is not suitable for ensuring fertile eggs.
6. The eggs may be too young
When you have inexperienced breeding birds, it is possible that the eggs are too young and cannot hatch. There may be insufficient time for these eggs to completely develop and turn into a chick.
How To Prevent Cockatiel Eggs Not Hatching
With all these things in mind, it is helpful to apply some helpful techniques to ensure more fertile eggs. Here are some tips you can try:
1. Provide the right size of cage
When you have two birds in a cage, it should be the right size for them. The ideal space is about 3 feet for both. Thus, there is ample room for proper nesting material while giving the birds a chance to move comfortably. You can also decide to put the bird in another cage for the breeding season.
2. Give them a nest box
Make sure you have a couple of nest boxes in the cage. Do take note that cockatiels are a bit territorial by nature, and they would like to be able to move out of their nest boxes. You may also want to check the eggs prior to being fertilized. Female birds tend to sit on top of the eggs.
So if there is just a single box, the bird may refrain from using it. Hence, provide two boxes for each cockatiel during the mating season.
Also, you should use a plastic mesh for the nest box cage. Be sure that the cage does not have holes underneath. Otherwise, this defeats the purpose it is intended to serve.
3. Provide nutritious foods
Avoid giving fatty foods to your pet such as cheese or avocado. These foods tend to slow the reproductive system down, which prevents the breeding process. You may want to check the foods in the cage, which should not have any oils. These tend to cause some stress and the habit of feather-plucking.
The best diet would be high-quality pellets. These are beneficial for your cockatiel’s health and provide ample nutrients for it to be able to lay healthy eggs.
And lastly, make sure that the nest box is brand new and clean. The cage should also be free from mold and moss and other debris that can add stress to the reproductive systems.
Read More: Why Does My Cockatiel Scream When I Leave The Room? Here’s Why!
Final Thoughts
With the right age, proper conditions, healthy diet, and all of the tips we have shared above, you can avoid problems with cockatiel eggs not hatching. Your pet should be able to lay eggs successfully and ensure the health and development of young birds.
