I often personally rescue animals and try to find them a new home once they are healthy and sociable, if I don’t become attached that is. In the beginning of December, I was referred to a home that had a pair of cockatiels that were living in an extremely unhealthy habitat. They were not being fed or watered properly, they had mold growing in the water dish, droppings inches deep on the bottom of the rabbit cage that they were being kept it and one had a severe eye infection, they were not vocal, they were scared, dirty and over all unhealthy. I was able to take possession of the tiels, I got them clean, healthy and the eye infection taken care of and of course, became attached. I assumed that they were the same sex (I know some will not accept a cage mate of the same sex, but it is not impossible) because they had never mated before but I also knew that their stressful environment could also be the problem. Then about two weeks ago, I noticed that they had started to mate. I’ve caught them in action 3 or 4 different days. I know that it can take around 20-30 days for her to lay her first clutch of eggs and then another 20-30 days for them to hatch, I have consulted with a local pet store that also raise birds and they helped me pick out a calcium supplement for the bird to lay healthy hard eggs and also helped me to pick out a nesting box. What I’m wondering is, how likely is it for them to try to mate if they are of the same sex? I do know that some dogs, whether it be two males or a female in heat will often try to mate with another dog of the same sex, cats not so much (though a friend of mine had a cat and dog that tried to mate on occasion). How do I know that they are actually mating and not just relieving their natural sexual frustration? Do I just wait to see if “she” lays eggs? Also, when they lay and they do hatch, is it best to hand raise them or let the mother and father raise them (yes, the father will help the mother)? I’ve always dealt with rescuing dogs and cats, so I’m a little lost when it comes to birds.
I’m sure that this question seems weird and possibly crazy, but it is a serious question and I do ask for only serious responses! Any true advise would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much! The pet store did in fact say no grit or crushed oyster shells because they may eat too much and it may become compacted in their stomachs. They told me to just use the reptile calcium supplement once, maybe twice a week sprinkled on their food and I was not advised to add anything to their water. Since I got them, I’ve been giving them vitamin drops in their food and it really did seem to help them become healthy faster. They gained weight, their feathers became much more normal and I’ve experienced no problems with the birds since I’ve had them.
