Candling Cockatiel Eggs

*Candling Cockatiel Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide*

Start With Conditioning
Begin training your cockatiels the moment you install nest boxes.
A “conditioned” pair won’t panic or abandon the nest when you check it.
*Goal:* Check the nest once every day. This builds a routine for both you and your birds.
A well-conditioned hen will even let you gently lift her off the eggs. But respect their space don’t check more than needed.

My aviary lights are on a timer: *6:30 AM to 9:30 PM*.
I use 3 inches of clean, fresh pine shavings in each box. I do a full bedding change when chicks are 2-3 weeks old, and again when the pair starts a second clutch.

How To Do Daily Nest Checks?
When you first start: Take the box down, open it, and lightly move the shavings.
Once the first egg is laid, pick it up, check it, and put it back. Do the same for every new egg and for chicks after they hatch.
Don’t be scared to handle them gently.
*Important:* Wash your hands first. I rub my hands in the seed bin before touching the nest so there’s no foreign smell.

Incubation and Candling Basics
Some hens start sitting on egg #1. Most start on egg #2 or #3.
You can check fertility by day 5. By day 3 of incubation, you can already see a tiny bloodline in a fertile egg.

*How to candle:*
Hold the egg gently in front of a 100-watt bulb. Cup your hand around it to block extra light so you can see inside clearly.

What you’ll see:
- *Days 3-5:* A web of red veins. That’s the embryo’s heart pumping blood.
- *Day 12:* A fertile egg turns from eggshell white to chalky white.
- *Day 16-18:* The egg looks “marbled” inside.
- *1-3 days before hatch:* You’ll see a small bump = the “pip”. It gets bigger each day. If you hold the egg to your ear, you can hear the chick tapping.

I candle every other day once the 3rd egg is laid. This tells me which eggs are fertile.
If I confirm an egg is infertile, I remove it. That way parents can properly cover 5-6 fertile eggs instead of wasting heat on duds.

*Incubation time:* 18-21 days for cockatiels. But don’t toss eggs too soon — I’ve had healthy hatches at 17 days and as late as 23 days.

Keep It Quick and Warm
Never leave eggs or chicks out of the nest longer than needed. Warmth is critical.
To avoid handling, you can use a small flexible auto light or a pen light inside the box. The whole check should only take 2-3 minutes.

What If An Egg Cracks?
If an egg gets a small chip or crack and isn’t leaking, you can repair it.
2 options:
1. *Egg white:* Paint it on with a clean, soft brush. You’ll need several coats.
2. *Clear nail polish:* One coat is usually enough.
I prefer egg white because it’s safer.

Don’t try to help a chick out of the shell. If you interfere during piping, you’ll do more harm than good. Let nature do its job.

| Zee Aviary | http://www.zeeaviary.com
Daily checks + gentle handling = healthy chicks and confident parents