Cockiteal laid an egg

Question
The female and male started sitting on the egg today.  I think maybe tonight she is getting ready to lay another egg.  How long does it usually take for the eggs to hatch?
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I have 2 cockiteals, one male and one female (we think).  We have had them for about five years.  This morning when I got up the female had laid an egg (her first one).  However, she is not sitting on it and, in fact, is totally ignoring it.  Should we leave it in the cage or remove it?  Also, do they often lay eggs and then not nest on them?  The laying of eggs is all very new to us.  It has never before happened, and we don't quite know what to do.

Thanks for your help.
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Hello Ruth Ann.  Thank you for posting with me.
I would leave the egg for a couple of days to make sure that she is not going to sit on it.  She will probably lay more eggs, one about every other day for a week.  If she quits sitting on them for a couple of days, then it will be safe to remove them.  If you remove them before SHE is ready, then she may continue to lay more eggs, and if she lays too many, it can make her very sick or worse.
I have one female cockatiel that only lays eggs about once a year, and another one that lays eggs about 3 times a year.

I hope this helps.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna

I do have one follow-up question I forgot to ask.  I always let Mickey and Minnie out of their cage for several hours each day so they can get some exercise, and I have a playground set up for them in my office for them to play on so they don't get bored and feel like they're "caged up"  all the time.

Should I go ahead and follow their regular routine of letting them out each day or should I keep her in her cage until I'm sure she's through laying?
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Ruth Ann,
It is always good to let the birds out for exercise for several hours a day.  If Minnie wants to come out, go ahead and let her come out. If the eggs are fertile, then she will want to stay with the eggs.
The main reason that you are leaving the eggs in her nest until SHE is ready to abandon them is to keep her from excessive egg laying.
Exercise definitely won't hurt her a bit, but if she doesn't want to come out, don't force her to do so.  That would only break her trust in you.

God Bless.
Dianna

Answer
Hello Ruth Ann.
It should take about 4-6 weeks for the eggs to hatch, if they are fertile.  If the male and the female are both taking turns sitting on the eggs, then there is a good chance that they are fertile.  
Again, let them sit on the eggs until the parents abandon them.  If they do not abandon them, then congratulations, you're going to have "Grand-birdies"...lol.
Please keep me informed.

God Bless.
Dianna