Breeding a 6 month old Cockatiel

Question
Is it ok, possible, or even healthy to let a 6 month old male tiel breed? Can they even at this age?

Answer
Hi, Betty.  Thanks for posting your question!

I'm not sure if a 6-month old male tiel is "potent" if you know what I mean but, if not, potency occurs within the next couple of months.  I've had male tiels at 8 months of age produce viable eggs with older females.  You don't want to breed a female that is less than 18 months of age because the breeding process is harder for a female than a male since she lays the eggs.

Both sexes in tiels incubate the eggs (each sex takes turns in 12-hour shifts and in some pairs, both sit side-by-side and incubate the eggs during incubation) and both feed the babies, so a detriment for a male at 6-months of age would be immaturity in knowing what to do in the breeding process (how to incubate, how to feed babies, etc.)(not everything is instinctual).  You take the chance of losing babies and/or even the breeding adults.  

Therefore, is it OK...maybe, depending on the particular male.  Possible at 6 months...not sure biologically, but is possible soon after.  Healthy...not really, let the young bird mature some before putting him in a breeding situation.  What's the rush!

Chrys