If you’re a cockatiel owner or breeder, one of the most exciting moments is discovering that your cockatiel has laid eggs. But then comes the big question: How can you tell if a cockatiel egg is fertile? Knowing this can help you care for your birds better and prepare for the arrival of adorable baby cockatiels. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about identifying fertile cockatiel eggs in a simple, friendly way.
What Does It Mean for a Cockatiel Egg to Be Fertile?
A fertile egg means it has been successfully fertilized by a male cockatiel and contains a developing embryo. This is different from infertile eggs, which a female can lay even without a mate. Infertile eggs won’t hatch, so it’s useful to know which eggs are fertile to focus your care and attention properly.
Signs That Suggest a Cockatiel Egg Might Be Fertile
1. Egg Color Changes Over Time
One subtle but useful clue is the color of the egg. Freshly laid eggs usually have a creamy white color. Fertile eggs tend to brighten and become a more vivid white about a week after laying, while infertile eggs often remain dull or may look discolored or mottled.
2. Egg Size and Shape
If you notice an egg that is significantly smaller than the others in the clutch, it might be missing a yolk, which means it cannot be fertile. Also, eggs that are dented, cracked, or leaking are likely not viable, although sometimes minor cracks can be repaired, and the parents might still incubate them.
3. Incubation and Timing
Cockatiel eggs typically hatch between 18 to 22 days after being laid. If an egg has been incubated properly but hasn’t hatched after 22 days, it’s probably infertile or non-viable. Also, eggs left unincubated for more than seven days usually lose their ability to develop.
The Most Reliable Way: Egg Candling
The go-to method for determining fertility in cockatiel eggs is egg candling. This technique involves shining a bright light through the egg in a dark room to observe what’s inside.
How to Candle Cockatiel Eggs
– Use a small flashlight or a specialized candling device.
– Hold the egg gently and shine the light through the wider end.
– Look for signs of development such as visible veins, a dark spot (the embryo), or movement inside the egg.
When to Candle
Candling is most effective around 7 to 10 days after the female starts incubating. At this stage, fertile eggs will show a network of blood vessels and a developing embryo, while infertile eggs will appear clear or only show the yolk.
What You’ll See
– Fertile eggs: Veins spreading out like a spider web, a dark spot indicating the embryo, and sometimes movement.
– Infertile eggs: Clear or uniformly colored inside, no veins or embryo visible.
Candling is a non-invasive way to check egg fertility without disturbing the parents too much, but it’s important to be gentle and not candle too frequently to avoid stressing the birds.
Other Tips and Considerations
– Egg abandonment: Sometimes cockatiel parents may abandon eggs if they sense something is wrong, or if the eggs are infertile. If an egg has been left without warmth for over a week, chances of fertility are low, but you can still try incubating it artificially.
– Multiple clutches: Female cockatiels can lay multiple clutches a year, especially if conditions like temperature and daylight are favorable. This means you might see eggs even without a mate, but those eggs will be infertile.
– Behavioral clues: Female cockatiels preparing to lay eggs often show physical signs like a fuller abdomen and increased water intake. While this doesn’t confirm fertility, it’s a sign eggs are on the way.
Summary
To tell if a cockatiel egg is fertile, the best and most reliable method is egg candling around 7 to 10 days after incubation starts. Look for veins and a developing embryo inside the egg. Additionally, fertile eggs often change color and brighten after a week, while infertile eggs remain dull or discolored. Eggs that are cracked, dented, or left unincubated for over a week are usually not viable. Keeping an eye on incubation timing and the parents’ behavior can also give you clues about fertility.
Fertile cockatiel eggs are a sign of new life on the way-candling is your best friend to confirm it. Happy bird watching!