New bird was kept with males but has turned out to be female, should I be concerned about egg laying?

[hexenbeast]

Hello!
So I had a cockatiel today as a rehome as the other birds in the cage were "picking" on him. I was looking for a companion for my laid back boy so I decided to take him in. So we got home and he's settling in to his new cage (separate cage to current boy) and he has turned out to be a she!
I'm concerned as she was housed with two males for months and is apparently somewhere between 7-10 months old. I know this is young but I know they reach sexual maturity around that age give or take.
What broody behaviours should I be on the lookout for?
Should I provide a nest box or not encourage egg laying?
Should I leave her too it but just make sure she has a little extra calcium and protein just incase she does lay?
I was prepared for a male not a female so I feel like I've gone in to research panic mode

 

[Rebel]

NEVER encourage egg laying.
A little extra calcium would be wise.
If you have paper in the bottom of her cage she may shred the paper in a corner if she has any plans of laying an egg.
They say birds dont know when they need calcium and minerals. I absolutely disagree. When my girl is even thinking about laying an egg she will start chewing on her mineral block. Thats my first sign that something is up.
For future reference, a male is not needed for a female to produce an egg.

 

[Rebel]

I strongly suggest you get some of this to have on hand. You can buy it from their website, chewy and many other places.

Calcium Plus Liquid - Bird Supplement & Vitamins

CALCIUM PLUS LIQUID is a concentrated, pre-dissolved, highly bio-available form of calcium, vitamin D3, and magnesium formulated for maximum intestinal absorption. Calcium deficiency in birds can cause seizures, poor bone density, egg binding, feather plucking, splayed legs, nervousness, poor...

morningbirdproducts.com

 

[hexenbeast]

NEVER encourage egg laying.
A little extra calcium would be wise.
If you have paper in the bottom of her cage she may shred the paper in a corner if she has any plans of laying an egg.
They say birds dont know when they need calcium and minerals. I absolutely disagree. When my girl is even thinking about laying an egg she will start chewing on her mineral block. Thats my first sign that something is up.
For future reference, a male is not needed for a female to produce an egg.

Okay thank you, I have read the teils can become chronic layers when encouraged, and I wanted to avoid that. but I wasn't sure what the protocol was as I was prepared for a male bird (and have only ever had male birds)
First thing she did when I left her to it in the cage was go ham on her cuttle bone. I've got liquid calcium here anyway just incase and I have some higher protein food options if she needs it.
I have now given her some boredom breakers that have paper to shred on them if she does want it.
I am aware they can lay regardless of egg fertility!

 

[Rebel]

, I have read the teils can become chronic layers when encouraged

Encouraged or discouraged, it doesnt matter. If theyre going to be a chronic egglayer i dont think theres anything to stop it. I have tried everything in the book to discourage it. My girl is a chronic egglayer. She has laid close to 60 eggs this year. Thats extreme. Ended up having to get her hormonal injections. Along with the injections i try to keep her busy as i possibly can.
Also be on the lookout for her rubbing herself on toys etc. and as they say, never stroke or pet anywhere but their head.

 

[hexenbeast]

Encouraged or discouraged, it doesnt matter. If theyre going to be a chronic egglayer i dont think theres anything to stop it. I have tried everything in the book to discourage it. My girl is a chronic egglayer. She has laid close to 60 eggs this year. Thats extreme. Ended up having to get her hormonal injections. Along with the injections i try to keep her busy as i possibly can.
Also be on the lookout for her rubbing herself on toys etc. and as they say, never stroke or pet anywhere but their head.

I see! She's only young still so I hope it doesn't become the case but I will keep a close eye and I have also been looking into hormone injections and the implant as recommended by a friend who keeps teils.
She's in quite a mood this morning lots of hissing at me for being near the cage, but I also know she hasn't had the best start to life and it's only her first night home. she also hasn't moved from the same spot since yesterday other than for eating as far as I know. I'm hoping once she settles in she'll be okay

 

[Rebel]

the implant

2 different vets told me the implants are actually made for ferrets. They say the implant itself is rather big for a cockatiel. Actually the implant isnt the problem, its the size of the needle needed to inject it from what im told. Vet #2 told me the implant “is as big as a piece of rice. A big piece of rice.” Theyell inject one if you insist but theyre not crazy about doing it on such a small bird.

Lets hope you never have to worry about this stuff. Most likely you wont but it doesnt hurt to know the facts just incase.

 

[Rebel]

I'm hoping once she settles in she'll be okay

Im sure she will be ok. Go at her pace.

 

[Zara]

No nestbox, no nooks or other dark hidey type spaces.

Do your best to get her on a healthy diet including fresh vegetables and some sprouted legumes.

I strongly suggest you get some of this to have on hand. You can buy it from their website, chewy and many other places.

Calcium Plus Liquid - Bird Supplement & Vitamins

CALCIUM PLUS LIQUID is a concentrated, pre-dissolved, highly bio-available form of calcium, vitamin D3, and magnesium formulated for maximum intestinal absorption. Calcium deficiency in birds can cause seizures, poor bone density, egg binding, feather plucking, splayed legs, nervousness, poor...

morningbirdproducts.com

I second this for having a female.
Anyone with a budgie, lovebird or cockatiel female should have a calcium supplment in their home at all times.

 

[hexenbeast]

2 different vets told me the implants are actually made for ferrets. They say the implant itself is rather big for a cockatiel. Actually the implant isnt the problem, its the size of the needle needed to inject it from what im told. Vet #2 told me the implant “is as big as a piece of rice. A big piece of rice.” Theyell inject one if you insist but theyre not crazy about doing it on such a small bird.

Lets hope you never have to worry about this stuff. Most likely you wont but it doesnt hurt to know the facts just incase.

That's very useful to know, thank you!

 

[hexenbeast]

No nestbox, no nooks or other dark hidey type spaces.

Do your best to get her on a healthy diet including fresh vegetables and some sprouted legumes.


I second this for having a female.
Anyone with a budgie, lovebird or cockatiel female should have a calcium supplment in their home at all times.

I have batches of chop and I always keep fresh veg to offer daily and rotate out different veg (and occasionally fruit) to try keep food interesting and provide variety. I also have spouting mix which I soak to sprout every other day