Proper Breeding Age for Cockatiels

What age do you pair your birds and answer was that he observes the bird carefully until they reach sexual maturity. Numerically its 2 years for my birds, but some birds continue to grow, and once you breed them, they stop growing further???

Yes, I remember saying that, and it still holds true in my experience. While 2 years is a good general benchmark, it’s approximate, not exact, and depends on various factors. Not all birds mature at the same pace, especially when you’re aiming for exhibition quality. I prefer observing each bird individually, their body structure, behaviour, and overall readiness before pairing them. Breeding a bird too early can prevent it from reaching its full potential in size, and once their own growth halts, it can also impact the quality of their offspring.
I’ve heard of some great breeders (I won’t name names out of respect) who pair birds even before full maturity. In my opinion, they might do this either to meet commercial demand or because their lines are already well-established and consistent. Also, their exhibition birds are often separate from their main breeding stock (a technical point not everyone understands).
The reason I follow this approach is because my lines still have a long way to go before they’re fully developed. In my case, when I made this decision, my breeders and my exhibition birds were the same, so I had to be more careful. Maybe one day, when I’ve developed a distinct and consistent line, I might revisit some of these choices. But for now, this is the path I’ve chosen, and I’m committed to it.
Just to add: this is what’s happening in my aviary, which is located on a rooftop. My keeping, feeding, housing, and breeding style is a bit different from many others. I prefer patience and never rush things in birdkeeping. I rely less on boosters or supplements and more on natural food items . So yes, things take time, but in my view, it’s always better to wait for the right results than to chase quick ones.
Courtesy: #Aliwarraich bhai,
Lahore, Pakistan 🇵🇰