breeding cockatiels

At what age do you stop breeding cockatiels.?
I was told my female is around 9 years of age, and is currently sitting on eggs. This is her third clutch.

She's in good health and is provided fruits, veggies, etc..along with F-Vite, vitamins,iodine block, daily.
since I've had her she's not what I would call a true pellet eater and never has been, although I use the Harrisons or Tops mash mixed in with her seed.

She is not tame, but is a beautiful bird and will more than likely live out her days here.

i did some research and i think 6-10 is a good age to stop breeding her. since she's 9, i think this should be her last season. it sounds like she is very loved and will live out her years in a wonderful home

If in good health, it's possible to breed parrots up into their teens and older. In short, they can breed for their entire lifespan.

If not kept in good health, it's best to stop breeding them at a young age.


You said it's her third clutch. Her third clutch in how long?



I have a female bourke that is 15-17 years old, and she was laying eggs earlier this year! She's my only bourke and I never tried to breed her. I've had her for nearly 11 years now, and the expected lifespan of a bourke is 11-15 years of age. She went through surgery last year for cancer on her foot (unfortunately, didn't get it all). I've heard the oldest bourke was 22 years old.

her number of clutches are a 'bit of a story' she's had three since late February.
she fed her first baby until 3 weeks of age, then I pulled him from the nest, as she had plucked him bald...totally bald!

the day after I pull Num Num(the baby) my male Dexter is mating with her again... ...Noooo~!!!! I was going to separate them, and I honestly didn't think he would mate with her that quickly again...holy crow.
needless to say 3-4 weeks later she has 3 more babies
she's had a bit of a rest, now she's nesting again.

I had separated them for months to prevent another clutch. she was with my other cockatiels and seemed miserable without Dexter. I caved and couldn't take it any more. I'd rather have her live a happy,shorter life with Dexter than live a life alone without him. She was pining for him, and was not herself.

If you knew Sundance, she's a very quiet, solitude kind of bird, never bonds with any other bird, always off on her own. So for her to bond with Dexter, I just couldn't bear her not being with him....I'm a softy...what can I say.

I have another question....If I were to separate Dexter and Sundance permanently, how can I make her happy, she pines for him when they are not together... and like I said before, is not her self. she eats ok, but doesn't seem as content.
will that pass eventually?? the last time I separated them, it was about 3-4 months and she still wasn't over him....what do I do?:52:

She sounds just like one of my girls! Except, she hasn't taken to any of the other tiels. She accepts them as part of her flock (i.e. not happy if separated from them), but she doesn't care for any of them.


Have you tried allowing them to be together while discouraging them from reproducing? Change of diet, change of night/dark hours, change of temperatures, change of cage, cage location, etc?

Monica...I have tried, different cages, different locations, didn't want to change diet as she is a picky picky eater....and he's a horny bird. period.
I thought maybe if I get another female and after she's done nesting, I could put the new female with him...he'll adjust ok, but it's her I'm concerned about.
I don't know...I don't want to breed her to her death, cause I want her to live as long as possible, but her without Dexter depresses her. Guess I'm in between a rock and hard place:52:

Then what about replacing her eggs with fake eggs?


Can you provide us with photos of the cage they are in? And how many hours of complete darkness do they get?

And what is she eating?

here is a picture of the large flight cage. each section is 3 ft high, 2.5 ft wide, and 2.5 ft in depth. there are four sections.

bedtime in spring and summer months: 8 -9 pm
wake up time- usually start singing around 6-6:30 am

bedtime in fall & winter months: 7:00-7:30 pm
wake up time- 7:00-7:30 am

Moving/changing cages could be a bit of an issue...

Lengthening sleeping hours and changing diet/temperature around may help some.

problem solved...I am in the process of downsizing, and have sold the birds that were beside my breeding cockatiels. when they are finished nesting, I will move the male beside the female. they will still be able to see each other, with a divider in between them.....whew, glad that's figured out, thanks so much for all your advice!