My cockatiel is laying eggs and attacking cagemate. What to do?

It is normal for birds to have small quabbles. It could also be they are both female and both want a nest box, so adding in a second may prevent the fighting. Making sure both birds can access food, water, perches, etc without one bird guarding the resource can also help reduce fights.

Thanks for reaching out about Keke. It appears as if he might be hormonal, searching for a nesting site, becoming territorial. Monitor for appetite. If becomes lethargic or eating less, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Providing multiple food bowls around the cage could decrease aggression over food. Biting now can be due to the stress of re-locating to a new home, and time could be the cure. Try to offer treats to win his side. If the lighting is too intense, that is stressful also and can lead to the sudden attempts to fly. Try to lessen external stimuli and have patterns of daily routine to be consistent. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about your budgies. It isn’t typical for the pair to start fighting, but it wouldn’t be unheard of either. I didn’t see if this was their first clutch together, but sometimes that can make a difference. I would recommend ensuring that there is a great deal of space for them to get away from each other, and lots of resources available. Multiple food dishes, numerous hiding spaces, etc. Also, keeping any additional stress to a minimum would be important - things like new people coming over, loud sounds, etc. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

What you can do really depends on what the cause is, so trying to find the cause is best. If you suspect illness, seeking out a vet appointment is a good first step to rule out any health issues or pain that can cause behavioral changes. Sometimes, aggression can be caused by boredom, stress or even an urge to mate. Adding in enriching toys or allowing Coco to explore his environment may help with boredom and keep him happier and occupied. Moving his cage to someplace quieter or without harassment by other pets and people can help reduce stress in addition to adding some fun toys or treats to play with. If he is trying to mate, sometimes changing the daylight hours and decrease protein amount in the diet can help, as well as distraction with interactive toys/ignoring/avoiding the behavior. If he does seem stressed and lash out, giving him a chance to calm down and relax before interacting again may also help.

It would be best to separate each pair into their own cage as the birds may begin to fight over territory, food and water, perches, and shared nesting areas, which could lead to injury. If you don't wish to have babies, removing the nesting material and any eggs should resolve the issue. If you do wish to breed them, making sure the birds have a calcium supplement such as a cuttle bone can help prevent egg binding and produce healthier eggs in addition to a regular balanced diet.

Losing a mate or part of the flock can be traumatic. Try to gradually reacclimate him to you. Begin by simply sitting by his cage for ever increasing periods of time. Speak softly and move slowly around him. End each visit with a small treat. Once he is fine with that, place your hand in the cage for ever increasing periods of time. He may squawk and flap and move away at first. That's fine. Do not attempt to touch or pet him. Once he settles down, you can coax him closer to you using treats. It will take time and patience, but eventually you should be able to win him over and get him to per h on your finger.