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and Companion Parrots
Copyright © Linda S. Rubin | CockatielsPlusParrots.com
Breeding Articles

Disclaimer
Articles on this website are not meant to take the place of proper veterinary and other medical care.
If your bird appears ill or shows symptoms of illness, please contact your avian veterinarian as
quickly as possible. Birds are prey animals and hide their symptoms in order to survive; by the time owners
see symptoms, a bird may have become extremely ill. Owners are advised to seek medical attention immediately.

To find an avian veterinarian in your area, contact the
Association of Avian Veterinarians  at  www.aav.org.
EGGLAYING BEHAVIORS & PROBLEMS
Part 2: Nutritional Needs of Egg Laying Hens

©2003 Linda S. Rubin
CF Genetics Consultant  & Panel Judge
©2000 All Photos and Articles “All Rights Reserved” by Author.
Written permission from author required for reprints.

First published in the October 2000 issue of BIRD TIMES magazine
At this time of year, many readers send in letters inquiring how to prevent their pet cockatiel hen from continuous bouts of
egg laying.  This subject ties in well with our discussion of the cockatiel’s breeding cycle.  Because over production of eggs
in pet cockatiels is a common problem, we’ll first examine how to cope with egg-laying hens that have gone out of control.  

There are essentially three types of egg-production in cockatiels that you will encounter.  The first type of activity involves
the planned, intentional hobby breeding of cockatiels to produce healthy offspring.  The second type of egg-production is
typically a complete surprise to the owner and involves the unexpected appearance of eggs – that may or not be fertile - by
determined, opposite sex mates eager to raise young.  Finally, the third type of egg production results from the determined
action of a single hen to produce eggs regardless of whether she bonds with another bird, or lives alone.  Obviously, if the
hen is without a mate of the opposite sex who could fertilize the eggs, then all the eggs she is laying are infertile. The
following is one example of a letter that deals with this common, latter problem.  


Question:  I have a female cockatiel that is approximately four years old.  During the first three and a half years she only laid
eggs a few times each year.  She has recently begun to lay eggs nonstop over a period of three months.  She’ll lay three
eggs in a clutch, then about a week later start over and lay another three eggs in a seven to 10 day period.  I have been
watching her closely and have not noticed any other problems.  She has a great appetite and behaves normally.  Is this
something that I should be worried about?  My vet does not specialize in birds and I am really concerned and would like to
correct this early if it is a problem.  I would appreciate any information you can provide. Thank you.  (K.M., Ohio).


Answer:  Yes, I think you should be concerned whenever a cockatiel hen begins to lay eggs and especially in the quantity you
have been describing.  But, you are alert and sensitive to your bird’s needs and that is half the battle to remedying the
situation.  Do understand there are definite actions you can take to control the behavior before it has progressed too far.  
These answers will be discussed in parts two, three and four of this article.

First, be certain to provide an adequate source of calcium through a good dietary supplement.  Calcium is a major
component from which eggs are formed and lack of dietary calcium can cause a dangerous deficiency for egg-laying hens.  
Should hens lack calcium, they will draw the necessary mineral from their own skeleton in order to form their eggs, leaving
them vulnerable to disease, osteoporosis, and life-threatening problems such as soft-shelled eggs and egg peritonitis.  

No matter which diet you choose to feed, always provide a large, fresh cuttlebone inside the cage, soft side facing inward.  I
recommend cuttlebone since it is easier for eager beaks to chew compared to harder mineral blocks.  A few ridges
scratched across the surface with a clean knife usually entice more hesitant birds to investigate. Cuttlebone can also be
scraped on top of seed mixes, favorite table foods, or daily fresh foods such as greens, egg-food, or a corn-rice-bean mix.

If your bird is already on a pelleted or extruded diet, the good news is that she should be receiving most her dietary calcium
already.  However, birds on a seed diet may require additional supplementation such as specialty products containing the
proper balance of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3 that are necessary in maintaining adequate blood levels.   Another
source is to provide oyster shell, which is a form of soluable grit.  Oyster shell is completely ground up in the gizzard and so
won’t impact the crop as ordinary gravel would, should a bird be tempted to gorge.  Today, most breeders do not feed gravel
or grit due to the danger of impacted crop; however oyster shell containing calcium is felt to be safe.  Also, chicken
eggshells, washed, dried, and baked for at least 45 minutes (to remove possible salmonella bacteria), crushed and added to
food, can provide another excellent source of calcium.

Additional dietary calcium can also be provided through the feeding of dark green, leafy vegetables.  Dark green vegetables
highest in calcium content, ranked in order, include: collard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, bok choy, broccoli,
kale, mustard greens, and spinach.  Other greens are no match for calcium content, compared with the above, but do have
other valuable nutrients.

In general, the richest source of calcium is contained in the leaves, while the highest amounts of phosphorous is found in
the stocks.  Dark green leafy vegetables such as dandelion greens, carrots and their tops, collards, kale, and sprouts, are
highest in carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver.   These greens are also important since vitamin A is a
critical antioxidant that is commonly found to be deficient in many companion birds.  Both kale and spinach are known to be
rich sources of folic acid, (which help prevent birth defects in humans), and folic acid is thought to have immune-enhancing
properties.  

A variety of green food fed several times a week, if not daily, will help provide the nutrients cockatiels need to stay healthy
and strong.  Egg laying is a taxing event for any female parrot, including cockatiels, and nutrition is key to reproductive
health.       

Parts III and IV will continue with the breeding cycle of hens and discuss specific strategies on how to deter unwanted egg
laying.

Part III will continue with  Helping Companion Hens During the Egg-laying Cycle.