Cockatiels Breeding

[Laraine]

I was wondering if anyone's tiels have started to breed yet (except John of course whose birds are going like a house on fire)? I've put the boxes up but so far they aren't even looking in.

[lovemytiels]

Hi Laraine, I am just in the process of putting my pairs together, but will not open up the breeding boxes till at least the end of August. Still too cold here at the moment, but all the rain we are having is exciting them no end & I rekon if I opened up the nest boxes I would have no problems with them going in & starting to breed. Cheers Anna

[Laraine]

My budgies have been breeding like mad since the rain we had in Sydney a while back. I thought the tiels might too. Actually none of these birds have bred before so am hoping. Do you know what age female tiels are sexually mature?

[lovemytiels]

Hi Laraine, female tiels can be sexually mature at 12 months of age. While some at this age are okay, others can muck about a bit, re not incubating properly, but give them time. All birds are different & while some are perfect parents first time around, you can have some teething problems with others. All you can do is try & see what happens. I personally myself like to have my females at least 2 years of age before I breed them, but my personal choice only. Cheers Anna

[Laraine]

The female tiels that I have are at least 2 years of age. The 3 of them have paired up but definitely need a fire lit under them. Do you have any suggestions to get them in the mood (candles, chocolates LOL). Maybe I should ask John, perhaps he might have the answers. To date they haven't done a thing, just sat there in their pairs.

[hillcresttiels]

Laraine i would wait till mid august and if you can seperate the cocks and hens you will find that when you pair them up they will go "Hammer & Tongs" so to speak and you will see eggs appear 10-14 days later! By breeding now there are too many negatives and not enough positives and if you do breed now by the time spring comes around your birds will have had enough, mind you this only applies to NSW Tas Vic and SA as in Qld they do tend to breed from April-Nov???
cheers ;D

Frank

[Laraine]

Thanks Frank, I'll take your advice. Maybe then I'll hear the "flutter of little wings". ;D

[beachbird]

Hi Laraine,
Yes, mine are breeding well, but I am in SE Queensland.
I've sold my first two babies for the year. They're around thirteen weeks now, and I am in the last week of weaning another six from a different hen, but the same cock....he was in a common aviary before he was paired with his mate.

I have another hen who has three eggs under her too, but for some reason, her and her mate never have any babies come of it. She's the mother of the first two babies I've sold.

I hope your tiels have some 'action' in August.