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I have 2 cockatiels. When I bought them 2 Christmas' ...


Sent to Pet Experts September 13, 2006 8:03 p.m.

I have 2 cockatiels. When I bought them 2 Christmas' ago for my kids they were said to be a male(white and a little grey) and female (typically colored). They have recently laid 3 eggs within a week. The male bird has been sitting the eggs. A couple of days ago we noticed the male having poop more liquidy than usual. Last night we discovered that the eggs had holes that had been pecked in them so we dosposed of them. Do you think that there is something wrong with the male bird? Should we be concerned? Why do birds get diarrhea?
Kandace
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $8   
Info Request
September 13, 2006 8:42 p.m. (39 minutes and 3 seconds later)

Hi Kandace. First off, you cannot depend on much at all that a pet store employee tells you about birds. The pitiful truth is, rarely, do they know anything at all. And, from what you said about their determination of gender by the colors you mention, is not possible either. You may have one of each and you may have two females. However, that's not your biggest problem right now. The diarrhea is the problem and it's very serious if it continues for more that 24 hours. There are far too many possibilities to be able to list them all here. I would like to get some clarification on a couple points, if you don't mind, before I go into greater detail. Can you describe the diarrhea, as to color and consistency? Did it seem to be simply runny but still basically normal in color or did it seem to have any "stickiness" to it and anything other than green and the normal clear/white coloration. Yeah, I know, yuckky but important. Please tell me everything that is in the birds normal dailey diet. Is there a cuttle bone available at all times? Where were the eggs layed; on the cage floor, in a nest box or where? Is the "male" bird sitting the eggs all the time or do they take turns? Have you ever seen one of the adult birds feeding the other adult? Which of the adults have you seen feeding the chicks? This extra information should help me to give you my best advice and guidance with this. Thanks, Patricia

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Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
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