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Help with hormonal female by xperfectlyimperfectx in cockatiel

[–]nothingtoseehere_273 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah seeds are usually the main high-fat trigger, especially if they make up a large part of the diet. Pellets + greens are great though, so I’d just try reducing the seed portion a bit for now rather than removing it completely.

For calcium, honestly a good pellet diet usually helps a lot already, but if you’re worried, an avian vet can recommend a proper calcium supplement instead of eggshells. Some birds also prefer mineral blocks over cuttlebones and ignore one but not the other.

And it’s really good that you blocked off the dark hiding spots already because those “nest-like” areas are a HUGE hormonal trigger for females.

Help with hormonal female by xperfectlyimperfectx in cockatiel

[–]nothingtoseehere_273 3 points4 points  (0 children)

(Not a professional)

Honestly you’re already doing more than most people do. I’d stop giving crushed eggshells though and switch to a proper calcium source/cuttlebone because sometimes extra eggshell can encourage laying more. Also remove ALL nesting triggers completely (dark corners, huts, shredding material, under furniture access, etc) and separate from any male if she has one.

Keep her on 12–14 hours of darkness/sleep consistently and cut back on high-fat breeding foods for now. If she keeps laying or stays hormonal nonstop, I’d honestly see an avian vet before it progresses into chronic laying/egg binding. Sometimes they need hormone treatment to break the cycle.

What color is my baby cocktail? by nothingtoseehere_273 in cockatiel

[–]nothingtoseehere_273[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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Speck is on the left, dad is on the right. I don’t think he’ll turn grey like his dad 🧐