Setting Up Pairs
Parings
In a perfect world all birds would be drawn to each other by the powers that be. But, in the real world, our birds make decisions about their mates based on whom they think they should pass their DNA along with. Cockatiels are one of the species of birds that actually form weak bonds with their mates. This is probably due to their nomadic nature in the wild. The ability to have one mate and then another is not only good for the flock, its also necessary in the environmnent they once knew.
Now, I know I'll be getting emails that say: "my cockatiels really love each other". It is true that in my flock, certain birds choose to hang around and be with certain other birds. Some pairings that produce babies can be broken down and let loose in the flight and never sit next to each other. This is a weak bond. Other pairings will stay with each other and go back to the same bird even when they are paired up outside the flight with another. These birds are strongly bonded. I have found that these birds often have the least problems raising their babies. Not only are they strongly bonded to their mate, but oftentimes, these bonds are continued on to their babies. I have seen bad mothers turn into wonderful mothers when I let the mother choose her mate. In weak bonded birds I see less fertile eggs and poorer parenting on average.
In the next section I will discuss how pair up birds so that bonds are formed and you minimize any problems.
Related Articles
Setting Up Pairs Part 2
Setting Up Pairs Part 3
In a perfect world all birds would be drawn to each other by the powers that be. But, in the real world, our birds make decisions about their mates based on whom they think they should pass their DNA along with. Cockatiels are one of the species of birds that actually form weak bonds with their mates. This is probably due to their nomadic nature in the wild. The ability to have one mate and then another is not only good for the flock, its also necessary in the environmnent they once knew.
Now, I know I'll be getting emails that say: "my cockatiels really love each other". It is true that in my flock, certain birds choose to hang around and be with certain other birds. Some pairings that produce babies can be broken down and let loose in the flight and never sit next to each other. This is a weak bond. Other pairings will stay with each other and go back to the same bird even when they are paired up outside the flight with another. These birds are strongly bonded. I have found that these birds often have the least problems raising their babies. Not only are they strongly bonded to their mate, but oftentimes, these bonds are continued on to their babies. I have seen bad mothers turn into wonderful mothers when I let the mother choose her mate. In weak bonded birds I see less fertile eggs and poorer parenting on average.
In the next section I will discuss how pair up birds so that bonds are formed and you minimize any problems.
Related Articles
Setting Up Pairs Part 2
Setting Up Pairs Part 3
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