Newborn and Older Baby Cockatiels

Question
QUESTION: Our pair of cockatiels had a baby about 6 weeks ago. That baby is still in the cage, out of the nesting box.  They are sitting on five more eggs, and the first one hatched this morning.  Is it harmful to keep the older baby in the same cage with the newborns?  The older one still gets some of its food from the parents, but is also eating on its own now, too.

ANSWER: Kathy,

First of all, you really need to stop breeding this pair, since they have had two clutches of eggs so close together.  It is very stressful on cockatiels, especially females, to lay a clutch, hatch and feed young, and then start laying eggs immediately afterward.  Think of it as if a woman had a baby and got pregnant again 3 months later, while she was still breastfeeding.  Someone ends up suffering and it is usually the mother.

Second, you should take the baby out of the cage.  He can eat on his own now.  Keep him in a cage near the parents so that he can still see and hear them, and give him soft (cooked and cooled) veggies along with small pellets, and seed as a treat.  

Please remove this nestbox as soon as the last baby leaves the nest this time.

Good luck to you,

Cindy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much, Cindy.  This is our first go-around and we were shocked when we discovered more eggs in the nesting box before the first cockatiel was even out of it.

We have a male cockatiel that is in his own cage, but gets along well with all the other cockatiels.  Would it be ok to put the older baby in with the male, or is it best to place it in its own cage?

Answer
Kathy,

I'd definitely put the older baby in with the male, but check on him every hour for a while.  You never know how the older male will feel about having another bird in his cage, particularly if that baby is still begging to be fed.

I hope it all works out for you.

Cindy