Cockatiel eggs and mama?

Question

My female (1 1/2 yr old) laid 4 eggs about 2 weeks ago and has been sitting on them. However, the male (15 yrs old) died 4 weeks before she laid the eggs. According to the book, its possible that the eggs are fertile and will hatch. However, as of last night, she stopped sitting on them. When I checked the oldest egg against the light, there is no embryo. Didnt check the others.

If I take them away from her, will she act depressed or have a hissy fit (she has lots of those if she dont get her way. She is soooo spoiled).

Answer 1

Leave the eggs and she will eventually lose interest. When that happens, take the eggs out and remove the nest box so she doesn't lay more eggs. If you remove them when she is still sitting on the eggs, she will lay more eggs because she know her job is not done yet as there are no babies.

Answer 2

I too have a female cockatiel 7 years old who still lays eggs from time to time. She, however has never had a "boyfirend". That said, I can tell you that my bird, who is also spoiled, acts almost relieved when I remove the eggs from her cage. Like the prior post said, in a natural setting the male will bring her food and will take turns sitting. She may be exhausted from sitting on them. If the eggs aren't fertile or you have no desire to raise babies I would say definitely remove the eggs. She may be a little upset at first but since you said she stopped sitting on them she may have already lost interest anyway.

I find the easiest way to remove them is when she is out of her cage or if you have somebody else available to remove them that doesn't have alot to do with the bird may also help if she truly is going to have a "hissy fit". At least she won't be mad at you!! Best of luck to you and "mama".

Answer 3

If she has stopped sitting on them, then she most likely will not care if you take them away (you REALLY don't want spoiled eggs in her cage, they smell AWFUL!) and if she keeps sitting on them and doesn't eat, then you definitely need to take them away. Normally the male would bring her food and take turns on the eggs, but since there is no male, she could end up starving to death.

Answer 4

She might not want to take care of them anymore.  You should take the eggs and the bird to the vet and see if there is anything wrong with the eggs or the bird.  Good luck!