Keeping my laying cockatiel calm

[Elizabeth]

I have a cockatiel who’s by nature easily spooked (like goes into night-fright level flapping when startled). Also very dependent on me and my GCC. She just laid her first eggs. Since she’s prone to getting upset and flapping around I’m trying to keep her as calm as I can.

She laid egg 2 this AM and her posture looks like she’s in labor for egg 3. Keeping eggs with her.

I had read that changing up their cage or moving the eggs can encourage them to abandon the nest but when I changed her cage papers and moved feed-water dishes she couldn’t find her eggs and totally freaked. She’s not the sharpest cookie.

She’s very bonded to my GCC and freaks when she can’t see either me or bender. So I’ve kept the gcc out of his normal sleep cage and left him in his cage next to hers 24/7. And he wants me to come sit next to him and give him attention, but doesn't seem keen on leaving his cage, or certainly leaving the room.

He seems to know what’s up and be keeping a watch over her. He is definitely the alpha in that relationship so I’m hoping he helps her stay calm.

My ekkie only joined them 3 months ago and his cage is across the room. He seems to know something is up but be perplexed. He comes out of their room for his attention right now.

They’re all unusually quiet, and it seems like sticking to a routine and mostly leaving them to one another is best.

She’s eating drinking pooping. Eggs are hard.

Any feedback?

 

[Zara]

I had read that changing up their cage or moving the eggs can encourage them to abandon the nest

I do that nearer to the end of the incubation period. They have already laid the eggs, might as well let them go through all the motions and sit on them peacefully. Up to but no more than 3 weeks.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep her calm, keeping everything familiar

 

[Elizabeth]

OK thanks for info. Any idea how many eggs to expect? My last cockatiel only ever laid one at a time and never tried to incubate.

Will the eggs go rotten in three weeks’ time? Should I try to boil them or buy fake eggs to replace?

A hen in normal labor is a scary sight to the unfamiliar. I once took my first cockatiel to the vet thinking she was eggbound. Laid her egg in the carrier on the way!

I watched Lulu poop a couple of hours ago so I think she’s ok. I’m actually purposely leaving her be. Fretting around seems unhelpful.

The GCC is protective of her and alarm-calls if anything is amiss. I actually trust him more than I do myself to watch over her.

Animals know best. I was really sick last summer and when my dog wouldn’t leave my side, that’s when I went to hospital. He was correct.

 

[Zara]

Any idea how many eggs to expect?

It can vary greatly.

Will the eggs go rotten in three weeks’ time? Should I try to boil them or buy fake eggs to replace?

I like using fake eggs to avoid them getting broken (my youngest likes to play football with eggs ). But boiling is a good option.

A hen in normal labor is a scary sight to the unfamiliar. I once took my first cockatiel to the vet thinking she was eggbound. Laid her egg in the carrier on the way!

Yes I agree. I saw one of my girls lay an egg once or twice and she freezes after in a strange position for a few seconds, it's quite scary.

Maybe feed her some treats every now and then so you can check in on her while doing something more relaxing