Why Does My Cockatiel Keep Laying Eggs?

Are you a proud owner of a beautiful cockatiel who just won’t stop laying eggs? Well, don’t worry because we’re here to help you crack this eggy situation. It turns out that your feathery friend is not alone in this peculiar behavior.

Cockatiels have a genetic predisposition that makes them the real overachievers of the bird world when it comes to egg-laying.

Now, you must be wondering why your female cockatiel is playing Mother Hen without a mate by her side. The answer, my friend, lies in a multitude of reasons.

Before we look at how to stop the egg laying, you need to check and see if your cockatiel has any underlying medical conditions.

Along with frequent egg laying, the following conditions could exist. If any of these symptoms are showing, consult your avian vet as soon as you can.

Egg Binding

Picture this: your plucky cockatiel struggling to lay an egg, desperately in need of a veterinarian superhero to save the day!

Egg binding, where an egg gets stuck, is something we should all vigilantly monitor. If your lovely feathered companion starts showing signs of distress or you spot any vent misadventures (think blood and breathing difficulties), it’s time to zip off to the avian veterinarian for immediate treatment.

Hyperlipidemia

Imagine your cockatiel’s bloodstream transforming into a greasy, fried feast; that’s what we call hyperlipidemia, where excess fats party up in your bird’s blood.

Brace yourself for a thickened blood showdown, which could ultimately lead to unwanted strokes. Eek! To combat this lipid nightmare, it’s important to seek prompt veterinary attention. Let’s show those lipids who’s the boss!

Bumpy Bones

Have you ever thought that excessive egg-laying could turn into a bone-breaking blunder for your precious pet? Well, it’s true!

Calcium depletion can lead to fragile bones – and trust us, nobody wants that. To tackle this calcium crisis, it’s crucial to address the underlying cause of your cockatiel’s eggstravaganza and consult an expert veterinarian for a well-balanced plan of attack.

Why Does My Cockatiel Keep Laying Eggs?

First of all, your little lady might just be expressing her inner diva and showing off her mad egg-laying skills. Who needs a valiant prince charming when you can be a strong, independent momma bird?

Another reason behind this feathered phenomenon could be that your cockatiel is a bit of a drama queen (or king). Yes, stress can push even the most level-headed bird to go on an egg-laying spree. So, if you’ve recently redecorated her cozy nest or introduced some new feathered friends, she might be just a little bit overwhelmed.

But fear not, dear bird enthusiast, because there are steps you can take to stop the never-ending egg production and bring some balance back to your bird’s life.

Shorten Her Days

First, make sure your cockatiel is getting plenty of rest. Just like any superstar, they need their beauty sleep. And you can help by creating a cozy, tranquil environment that encourages relaxation.

Your cockatiel may be laying eggs because her cage is receiving 12 or more hours of direct sunlight. Try moving her cage to an area of your house where it will not be in the direct path of sunlight for more than half of the day.

Another option is to partially cover her cage with a towel or cloth during the day to keep out the direct sunlight.

Next, you need to remove potential nesting sites.

The more places that your cockatiel can find to nest, the more likely she will lay eggs. Potential nesting sites include just about any areas that are dark and quiet on the inside where she can hide, such as empty cardboard boxes, small bird tents, and old clothes.

If you occasionally let your cockatiel out of her cage, she may also try to seek out other locations for nesting, such as closets and empty cabinets.

Try To Induce Molting

Molting occurs when the cockatiel sheds her old feathers and grows new ones. A female bird will typically molt after she has finished laying her eggs and weaned her babies.

For your cockatiel, inducing her to molt after she has laid her eggs will send a signal to her body that she should not try to lay any more eggs.

You can induce molting by making changes to her environment, such as moving her cage to a different location or rearranging some of the items in her cage.

Ramp Up The Entertainment

Next, amp up the entertainment factor for your feathery friend. Offer a range of stimulating toys and activities that’ll keep her mind off the eggs.

And finally, don’t forget to show your cockatiel some extra love and attention. Give her plenty of snuggles, head scritches, and tasty treats. After all, nothing distracts from egg-laying like receiving some good old-fashioned TLC.

Don’t Be Her Potential Mate

However, this being said, you also need to be wary that you are not viewed as a potential mate.

If you spend a lot of time bonding with your cockatiel, you may not realize that she might see you as a mate. Doing things such as petting her head or scratching under her wings mimics what cockatiels do in the wild with their mate, as either a mating ritual or regular preening.

Although you want to have a good relationship with your cockatiel, you certainly do not want her to mistake you as an object of her affection!

Separate Your Birds

If you have more than one cockatiel try separating them.

If you have two females and one is a chronic egg layer, she may stimulate your other female to lay eggs too.

If you have a male and a female cockatiel, the male may want to mate with your female cockatiel. If either situation applies to you, it will be good to separate your cockatiels to reduce the likelihood of excessive egg-laying.

Using ‘Mock’ Eggs

On average, a female cockatiel will lay about five to eight eggs at a time. She will be able to feel her eggs beneath her when she is sitting on them and will know when she has laid all of her eggs.

To stimulate the feeling that she has finished laying all of her eggs, you can place marbles or mock eggs in her nesting site when she is away from it.

Removing The Eggs

A female cockatiel, whether wild or captive, will typically abandon her eggs three weeks after she has finished laying them.

You can also try and take the eggs away gradually every other day, and help her to slowly understand that the eggs are not fertile.

If you see any broken eggs remove them as they will cause bacteria build up.

Improve Her Diet

If you check the eggs you will be able to see if her current diet is serving her well. If the eggs are too soft or not shaped properly, you may need to look at her diet.

You can consult with an avian vet to see what is best, but often this can be remedied with a good multivitamin.

So, there you have it! With a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of love, you can help your cockatiel break free from her egg-laying spree.

Remember, it’s all about finding the perfect balance between being a chick magnet and a carefree bird enjoying the prime of her life.

Keep the eggs at bay and let your feathered companion spread her wings in style!