Breeding Cockatiels

[Dusty]

Hi,
So I've bred budgies before and have been toying with the idea of seeing if my two teils will breed. They have been on a good diet and all set up for breeding eg, minerals, cuttle bone etc.
Here's my question...
I don't have a breeding cage. What i have is a 'Bird room'. They have their cage, always open, and free run of the room where they can fly to perches, toys etc and into their cage for food/water/bath.
Is there a need for a breeding cage? I would rather not confine them.
Can i just put a nest box in the room and see what happens or is that a waste of time?
Thank you,
Dusty

 

[Dusty]

Anyone ever try similiar?

 

[crimson]

there is no need for a breeding cage. your cage is fine.
ensure your nesting box is long enough(12" or longer) and the same for the height.
be able to access the box from the outside of the cage so you can inspect the chicks.

it can get rather crowded in those boxes when parents and babies are in there at once.

since you already bred budgies, so have a good basis on what to expect. Although cockatiels are different, so please read up and get a good knowldge prior to breeding.
good luck!

 

[henpecked]

Hey Dusty welcome to the forum. I don't hang out in this section much but you can always PM me when you get enough post. Yes you can breed the teils cage free. As long as you don't have other birds fighting to get their box. I make my own tiel nest boxes and would send you the plans if you like. Mine are only about 11" square because i cut many from one sheet of plywood. The biggest issue with breeding tiels is the use of handraised babies for breeders. Some do well but many don't, parent raised babies make much better breeders. Be prepared to rescue/raise young babies if the parents fail in their duties. Another issue with the handfed parents is the hens laying way too many eggs and not stopping. If your fids are truly pets,, you might want to rethink breeding them. You never know how things will turn out.Once you start down that path, there's no turning back. If you want some breeder tiels i'll be more than happy to give you a pair, if you live near me.

 

[MikeyTN]

Yes you can leave them be in a room to let them breed if you don't mind the poop everywhere and the wood chewing they do to destroy a room. That is something to consider!!!! I used to make my own nest boxes too like henpecked does but if it's just for one, it's easier for you to just purchase one from the pet shop. One of my pairs came from a home that they left free in a room to roam and breed, they were going into the drawers and laying eggs within having one heck of a mess. They poop a lot and that would be a lot to clean.

 

[Dusty]

Thanks all for the replies

Hey Dusty welcome to the forum. I don't hang out in this section much but you can always PM me when you get enough post. Yes you can breed the teils cage free. As long as you don't have other birds fighting to get their box. I make my own tiel nest boxes and would send you the plans if you like. Mine are only about 11" square because i cut many from one sheet of plywood. The biggest issue with breeding tiels is the use of handraised babies for breeders. Some do well but many don't, parent raised babies make much better breeders. Be prepared to rescue/raise young babies if the parents fail in their duties. Another issue with the handfed parents is the hens laying way too many eggs and not stopping. If your fids are truly pets,, you might want to rethink breeding them. You never know how things will turn out.Once you start down that path, there's no turning back.

After reading you're reply, I think I'll give it a miss. One of the teils is a pure pet so with what you said, i think it is a bit risky as i would hate for anything to go wrong.

If you want some breeder tiels i'll be more than happy to give you a pair, if you live near me.

Thanks very considerate, but i think it would be too much of a trip. I'm in Ireland

Yes you can leave them be in a room to let them breed if you don't mind the poop everywhere and the wood chewing they do to destroy a room. That is something to consider!!!! I used to make my own nest boxes too like henpecked does but if it's just for one, it's easier for you to just purchase one from the pet shop. One of my pairs came from a home that they left free in a room to roam and breed, they were going into the drawers and laying eggs within having one heck of a mess. They poop a lot and that would be a lot to clean.

Thanks Mikey. The room is already there with the tiels in it, transformed if you will to indoor avairy, easy clean, and thankfully they dont make much of a mess.