Cockatoo Breeding

[Shana413]

Hi, my parents have a breeder pair of major mitchells cockatoos which have had one baby that died( they didnt take baby out soon enough and we guessed that the parents stopped caring for it)all other eggs are not fertile, but they still take turns sitting on them? Why is that? and if they were able to have one baby why arent they producing fertile eggs? My parents have an mobile avian vet, a brooder and everything totally prepared this time, but no good eggs... any advice?

This was a nonproven pair that they purchased about 3 years ago, the cockatoos are about 12yrs old.

[Abby]

If they're producing eggs but they aren't fertile then the problem possibly is with the male. Check his weight. Overweight male birds can have problems. He could also have a low fertility. I've got a pair of GCCs where fertility is low in the male. Kind of hit and miss as to whether I'm going to get babes from one season to another.

Even though they are 12years old they still might take a few more years to really get it together. Might have to be a case of patience. You know he is fertile having produced one babe. Just might be low or he could be overweight and need to go on a bit of a diet (I'm guessing here, obviously unless I saw him I couldn't say that one as a definite.)

[Shana413]

Thanks for the info, i dont think hes overweight but i'll have my dad check his weight and diet. We were guessing maybe he just isnt mature enough yet? do birds always sit on eggs even while not fertile? The female is very aggressive but they seem like they are a very attached pair. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.
Thanks,
Shana

[Abby]

Yeah they do still sit.

Eventually they work out that they're not fertile (with my lot it seems to be around hatching time) and either desert the nest or lay again.

Cockatoos can get quite aggressive around breeding time. I've heard of some females killing their mate. Thankfully this is the occasional circumstance. What I've been told by experienced 'too breeders is to increase the fresh food just before breeding time. If you can get hold of some really leafy gum branches then hang them in there also. They seem to strip them and the natural oils and micro nutrients are all very beneficial. Galahs use gum leaves to line their nests, not sure about Majors.

[Shana413]

Thanks :) we'll try it.