August 29, 2026

MORTALITY IN COCKATIEL CHICKS

In the cockatiel hobby, it is a very common and difficult issue that faces every fancier.

There are two reasons for mortality in chicks of Cockatiels.

In the first case of mortality, some of pairs of cockatiels stop feeding their chicks due to several reasons, such as stress, immature parents, or less or absence of soft food.

In the second case of mortality, due to poor digestion and blockage of crops,

I have discussed these issues with many seniors. In light of my experience, I want to share some tips with all my friends and fanciers.

In the first case, we have to pair up more than 16 months of age and provide them privacy and good soft food.
In the second case, we have to take special care of chicks. Some tips are undermentioned.

1. Always write the date of the first egg laying. (Normally, in 18 days, chicks are hatched).

2. Three days Before hatching of chicks, change food of parents, provide them only Foxtail millet and fine millet (MOTI KANGNI AND BAREEK KANGNI) instead of mix seeds and also start providing a piece of fresh corn.

3. After hatching of chicks, provide them only Foxtail millet and fine millet (MOTI AND BAREEK KANGNI) till 3 weeks and also provide fresh corn in these days. Do not provide them mixed seeds.

4. In starting 3 weeks, add a few drops of (CHUWARQA) and any suitable avian probiotics in the water pot in alternate days.

5. After 3 weeks, add some mixed seed in foxtail millet and fine millet (MOTI AND BAREEK KANGNI) slowly gradually.

6. Meanwhile, provide soak/soft food such as wet grain & wheat (BLACK CHANA AND GANDUM) on a daily basis in the morning and evening. (KEEP BLACK CHANA AND GANDUM IN WATER FOR 24 HOURS ADD FEW DROPS APPLE CIDER VINEGER IN WATER, then use it.

6. Alfalfa (LUSAN) provide them with a few bushes in alternate days, its good for digestion.

As far as my experience concerns, if we follow these few steps, we can overcome the mortality of Chicks.

Best Regards,
Khurram Shahbaz
Karachi, Pakistan 🇵🇰