cockatiel in heat

Question
I have two female cockatiels that have been living together with minimum problems for over 3 years.  One has suddenly been in heat every other day.  I found an egg in the cage.  I am guessing she is protective of her egg.  She started attacking the other bird and actually drew blood.  I seperated the birds hoping she would realize the egg is gone.  I'm afraid to put them together but I thought they would be lonely apart.  Don't know what to do.

Answer
Hi, Charles,

Your female is laying infertile eggs due to hormonal activity.  Keep them separated for the time being and leave any laid eggs right where she lays them and let her abandon them when she is ready.  Removing any laid eggs will likely result in her laying more and more and more until she has a full clutch under her.  Therefore, don't remove any laid eggs.  Keep a cuttlebone available in the cage, too, to replenish any calcium loss.  You can house them next to each other in separate cages until the hormonal activity passes.  This is all perfectly normal.  Females will fight over laid eggs.

Chrys