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If you’re new to keeping cockatiels, you may wonder about their egg-laying process. A bird’s reproductive cycle is much different than that of other domesticated animals, so it’s normal to have questions about what to expect.
One of the most common questions we get is how long it takes for cockatiel eggs to hatch once they are laid. If you’re curious about the signs your hen will lay eggs and what to expect before and after egg hatching, keep reading. Cockatiel eggs take around 18 to 20 days to hatch after the second or third egg is laid. We’ll discuss everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cockatiels and their eggs.
How Will I Know If My Cockatiel Is About to Lay Eggs?
The gravid cockatiel will start spending more time in their nesting box. She may eat more from their cuttlebone and mineral blocks to get the nutrients her body needs to form the eggshell.
Two clear indications that the eggs are on their way are that the hen will begin to have much larger droppings than usual, and her vent will begin to swell. The vent will take on a round appearance, like an egg, in the hours before the eggs are expelled.
How Long Does It Take for Cockatiel Eggs to Hatch?
After successful mating, the hen can retain male sperm for as long as 2 weeks. This makes it possible to fertilize a complete clutch with just one mating. They lay eggs every 2 days, and most normal clutches have between four and six eggs.
Cockatiels don’t usually begin incubating their eggs until after the second or third is laid. The incubation period lasts around 18 to 20 days, and the hatching will begin. You can expect eggs to hatch every other day just as they were laid.
Though not all incubated eggs will hatch (only around 90% of incubated eggs are fertile), you mustn’t remove any eggs in the clutch that did not hatch as expected. Sometimes, the incubation period starts later than you may be aware. If you’re unsure of the egg’s viability, you can try candling them.
If you’re new to cockatiel breeding, you’ll need a great resource to rely on. We highly recommend The Ultimate Guide to Cockatiels, a well-researched book you can find on Amazon.
This beautifully illustrated guide will walk you through everything from pairing up your cockatiels to nest boxes, signs of egg laying, troubleshooting, hatching, and more!
What Is Egg Candling?
Egg candling involves shining a light through the egg to determine the state of embryo development. White or pale Eggs are easier to candle than those that are dark or speckled. You may need to invest in a high-intensity candler to see through the darker eggs.
If you don’t have a candling device, you can use the water candling method (AKA the float test). Fill a glass halfway with warm water. Take the egg you wish to candle and gently place it in the glass. Observe the egg for a minute or two. If the chick inside is alive, the egg will bob in the water. Be sure never to water candle an egg that has pipped, as you risk drowning the chick.
What to Expect Before the Egg Hatches?
Before the egg hatches, you’ll begin hearing the chick inside peeping. The chick has a special egg tooth that they use to peck at their egg. It can take several hours or even as long as 2 days to peck their way all away around the egg. This is also known as “pipping.” Once a chick has pipped around its egg, it can break free.
What to Expect After the Egg Hatches?
The hatching process is very exhausting. It’s completely normal to notice chicks resting after all the hard work they’ve done to hatch themselves. The chick’s parents will provide the warmth that it needs to survive. They will not feed the chick for up to 12 hours after hatching, as it gets the nourishment it needs when it absorbs its yolk sac. If the chick does not properly absorb the yolk sac, it is unlikely to survive.
After that initial 12-hour period, the parents will begin feeding their chicks.
What Happens If the Egg Doesn’t Hatch?
There are several reasons why your cockatiel’s egg didn’t hatch.
- Your cockatiel is too young
- The eggs are unfertilized
- The embryo or chick inside is dead
Most cockatiels are not mature enough to breed until they’re a year old. Sometimes, younger birds will lay eggs, but they will be infertile. Cockatiels sometimes lay infertile eggs even if they’re fertile. This is simply because the sperm necessary to produce a chick was either missing or just didn’t make it where it needed to be.
Embryo mortality can happen for several reasons, but it commonly occurs when the cockatiel doesn’t have the nutrients necessary to produce healthy eggs.
Remember that just because an egg didn’t hatch after the 21-day incubation period doesn’t mean it is infertile. Sometimes, cockatiel eggs can take up to 25 days to hatch. Give it a few more days before declaring the egg infertile.
- See also: Can Cockatiels Eat Spinach?
How Long Do Baby Cockatiels Need to Stay With Their Mom?
Baby cockatiels rely on both of their parents until they’re around 10-12 weeks old. Cockatiel pairs produce a clutch twice a year. Both parents take active roles in the lives of their babies. They will sit on the eggs as well as clean and feed the young.
Conclusion
We hope our article has shed some light on the cockatiel egg-laying and hatching process. Of course, it is much more involved than what we were able to cover in this article. If you’re interested in breeding your cockatiels or have questions about eggs that have been laid and hatched, it’s best to contact your vet for advice.
Featured Image Credit: Parinya Feungchan, Shutterstock
