Is ok to check the eggs of a cockateil , wont the bird get angry if i touch them?

Question

Is ok to check the eggs of a cockateil , wont the bird get angry if i touch them?

Answer 1

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(3305) John love asks: our 9 week old African is in it new cage or home. We are feeding it by hand but is not wanting to take his formula. My wife is at the store right now buying some baby food. When and how can we start it on pellets. Please help me I want Grecy to stay healthy. I want to stay away from seed. thanks john

[You need to find a local person who can help you. African Greys need a lot of attention and care. Try finding someone in your area who is bird knowledgeable. You may want to go to some of the bird chat groups on the internet. --Bird HotLine]

Ashley Responds: I was confused when I got my 1st bird too. I got Buster when he was 8 weeks old. I bought him when he was already handraised. If he is already handraised then you can feed him seed whenever you want. That is what the people that I bought my bird off of told me. Sorry if I was no help!

Scott Responds:First are you mixing the formula right? I usually mix mine a little wet and make sure to use a thermometer to make sure it is the right temp. I suggest going to vet and get your bird examined for a form of a yeast infection that 85% of small aviary birds get that could be fatal and cause them not to eat. most birds will not show signs of being ill because it is a sign of weakness. Weakness leads to getting eaten by their natural instincts. I almost lost my first African Grey because of the yeast infection so get your bird to the vet ASAP. They will also help you with how to feed the bird and tell you the best time to wean. Most handfed bird die from many simple things but NOT EATING IS USUALLY THE FIRST SIGN OF SICKNESS.

Roger Responds: To get your young bird to start eating pellets, let it have a few to play with. Set the bird down on a towel and have a few pellets at its feet. Hand the bird a pellet, when she drops it, hand her another. It does not matter that the pellets aren't eaten. The bird has to get used to them first. Try breaking a pellet in half so the bird can taste the inside. Once the bird is eating and liking pellets, then it is OK to start letting it eat seed. The bird also has to play with seed a while before she learns to crack it. Total omission of seed is not good. A healthy bird diet should include pellets, a variety of seeds in a mix, greens like kale, veggies like corn, peas & carrots, as well as fruits like seedless grapes or apples.

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Reginald asks: I received Sparkle 3 weeks ago, his owner died. This week I noticed a lot of feathers on the bottom of his cage. He is 9 months old. Is he molting? How long does molting lasts? What is the average fee for a vet visit?

[He is probably molting but you do need to take him in for a check-up. Call the vets in your area to find a bird vet and check prices. Molting usually lasts about a month but can go longer. --Bird HotLine]

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(3303) Nanci asks: this cockatiel gets fed beans, pasta and vegetables daily with a commercial blend of seeds designated for cockatiels occasionally. I add liquid vitamins to the water but it doesn't seem to drink it. corky has total freedom, the large cage door is open most of the time. corky is very social and has several friends that stop to visit with him daily. it is a quiet household, no kids, there are plenty of toys in the cage. I was wondering what other readers have used for tricks to prevent their birds from plucking. there is absolutely no funds to take corky to the vet. any info will be greatly appreciated. thankx corky's friend

[I'm sorry, but you do need to first rule out illness and only a bird vet can do that. --Bird HotLine]

Kate Responds: It disturbs me very much when you can never say there are "no funds" to take your bird to the vet. He is a living creature and his life is in your hands. I'm sure if you needed medical treatment, you would go to the doctor. Corky deserves the same respect. Cockatiels often have Giardia, a medical condition that causes feather plucking. If he continues to pluck, it will become habitual and you will never cure him of plucking even if the disease is treated. If a disease causes the problem, he could easily die. If its a psycological condition, the bird may need to be in a collar - something a vet must do. I am a recent college graduate with "no funds" myself but when it comes to my bird's health, there is no question. I have spent hundreds of dollars on my cockatiel in the past few months. And would do it again today if I needed to!! You CAN find a way. If you are not willing to do so, it maybe best to find him a new home.

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(3302) Carrie asks: My 3 year old cockatiel has recently started pulling the feathers out of his chest right where the breast splits. He eats a variety of healthy food and is active ad healthy except for this feather problem. I bought a lice and mite spray bath and followed it exactly and although it is not getting better it isn't getting worse. He will not bath. I have tried a bowl of water, a bird tub and have had to bath him by spraying a warm mist to bath him. Is this a part of molting or something serious? Thanks Carrie

[Your first step is seeing a bird vet to rule out illness. --Bird HotLine]

Holly Responds:If the gap in his feathers is only noticeable when he is fluffed out, it may just be the natural feather line of the feather growth on the birds breast. If he is picking feathers he is probably bored. Maybe you should try rotating toys or introduce him to new treats ( only those that you are positively sure that they won't harm him ). My birds enjoy a piece of popcorn once in a while; this helps you because maybe he will pick the popcorn instead of his feathers. (only feed him the lowfat popcorn with less butter)

Kate Responds: It could very well be Giardia, an illness that causes feather plucking. You need to act fast before it becomes habitual. Even if its a psycological issue, you need to work with a vet in order to best prevent the mutilation. If it does become a habit, you can deal with it. My mother has a feather plicking parrotlet who has been living in a collar for over a year. Otherwise, she is happy, active little bird.

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(3301

Answer 2

The best time to check eggs is when the parents leave the nest for feeding etc.

But don't do this often,you could damage the eggs and upset the parents,this may even cause them to abandon their eggs.

The only time you should check the eggs is when you think that they have laid their full clutch(4-6 eggs,but don't touch.)the last egg laid will then give you some idea when they are due to hatch,(21-24 days)

Then the next time is when they are due to hatch,you will then see the results,only touch them at this stage if you think that they are not fertile.

Time and Patience is the factor and I had it for over 20 yrs. of breeding various mutations.

Answer 3

DO NOT TOUCH WHEN HATCHED!

Answer 4

they are fine, it is best to leave them, the cockatiel will be able to do that herself. If they are unhealthy she might kick them out anyway.