Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
Forst post here, lots of good info and pics btw. I am ready to spread my wings and breed my teils. I have read everyting I possibly can on breeding and want to breed my pair and a few more pairs I am buying in the next 6 months or so. My question is what is the correct size cage for breeding. DO I have to buy a seperate cage just for breeding or can I breed in their normal cage? Also, should I keep the male and female together all the time or introduce(maybe with removable divider) one when I am ready to stat the season? Sorry for all the questions but I am a reptile breeder by trade and have always loved the feathered guys as well. Do you think these cages are ok for 2 pairs or could it be used for 4 pairs? Thank you so much!
-Matt
http://www.featherfarm.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=337

my only worry with that cage is it would get cramped when the chicks fledge, 'tiels can lay anywhere from 1 egg to 7 eggs or sometimes more, and they can even double clutch before the chicks feather out, I would use that the first few times then build an aviary and use those cages as holding cages for weaned chicks.

I've heard both sides of the seperating arguement, what I would do is.. sepeerate the female when the chicks start to fledge(so she doesn't double clutch), then when the chicks are weaned reintroduce the hen to the male and leave them without a nest box, if you see any mating behaviour I would remove the hen just so she does try to over breed, since you are getting more than one pair you could keep the hens togetehr in one cage/aviary and the males in another, just remember some birds wont breed to any other bird other than their mate.

hello yes i am also worried about the cage, as you might no i am also new to cockatiel breeding and just recently i have been sucsesfull (now i have 2 eggs!!) i think that the cage is 2 small to keep 4 pairs in i would use the top half for 1 pair and the bottom for the other(if u can do that) my othher worry is that when the chicks fledge imagine how crowded the cage will be you have to imagine from only have 2 birds in there to having maybe 3-6 more babies in there! i dont think anyone would like to live in such crowded conditions. i recomned that if you are intrested in breeding you build yourself or buyurself an aviary. becuase cockatiels are flock birds i think they would find it much more comforting in a aviray and might possibly breed better.
if you are really keen on breding u also suggest that you buy your pair/pairs(if you dont have them already) from a breeder in your local area and they can also help you out in the breeding proccess.

i hope i have been to some help of you.

please keep us updated on the breeding process!
dont worry im sure i will keep you up on how mine is going!!