Question about breeding

[Drewcifer84]

We are currently attempting to breed our tiels. The male is a normal grey 4-5yrs and the female is a W/F Pearl 2 1/2yrs. About two days ago she was all fluffed up and she had her eyes half closed all day which seemed really weird but she's back to normal now. I'm not sure if she is heavier or not as I think my imagination is making her seem heavier. They love the nest box and go in and out all day long and they are mating constantly. I was wondering how long after they show interest in the nest box should we expect eggs?

Oh and I just went to check her abdomen to see if it was protruding at all and an area about the size of a quarter around her vent is completely bare. Is this normal?

Here's an old picture in their old cage. They are now in a large flight cage.




Does anybody have any idea what the babies may turn out to be if they have any? I'm not sure if the male is split to anything or not.

[Ashling]

I love that picture. The bareness around the vent is normal as the females will pluck this and line the nest with feathers, it also helps with laying and sitting on the eggs I believe. I suppose you can expect eggs soon but I'd have no idea.

[ashxo]

When I gave Sunny & Tia their nestbox, we had eggs within 3 weeks. They spent a lot of time investigating it, renovating it & "discussing" things about it amongst themselves, but yeah, within 3 weeks of introducing the box, we had eggs :)

You'll know when your hen wants to start laying...
When Tia was ready, she spent a lot more time alone in the nestbox. A few days before she layed eggs, she was in the nestbox ALL day. I opened the lid and peered inside and she started hissing at me and swaying a lot, which was unusual for her because on any other occasion she'd have shot straight out of the entrance. Alas, a few days later there was a tiny little egg sitting amongst the box bedding.

I was so excited that I actually started weeping LOL.

Congrats on your future babies!!!

[Drewcifer84]

Thank you Ashling and Ashxo for your speedy response. One more question.
I currently have Eco Bedding for Small Pets - Bedding & Nesting - Small Pet - PetSmart in the nest box as it's what I use to line their cage with. (Just the regular kind, not the de-oderizing kind). Should I be using this or should I use something else?

[Monica]

Recycled paper or wood shavings (pine or aspen) is usually what is recommended.

Strangely enough, birds can mate for years, without the hen ever producing eggs. Some hens on the other hand will produce eggs, with or without a mate, and wont care much if they've been moved around.


Will have to say though that right now really isn't the time for breeding, that is, assuming you are located within the USA. Breeding time is around the Spring/Summer when they are not molting. It's fall now, and going into winter.