Articles
Important update 3/14/17If you have enjoyed the articles, or that have helped you please consider giving a donation. Every contribution (no matter the amount) helps! Please be assured that your donations are going to a good cause. I have been working on several books and much of the delays have been lack of funds to complete them. (click link below)
https://www.paypal.me/AskNoodles
From the Nestbox is a collection of articles that I have written. Several were published in the AFA Watchbird. Some of the articles are from postings I have posted on several cocktatiel lists and forums on the internet. The articles are written to be informative, from my own personal experience, and are not meant to be a replacement for (see Disclaimer) for veterinary care.
Many of the articles have excellent illustrations that can be very helpful to the novice or experienced breeder. If you would like to include an article in a club newsletter please email me (use the Contact Me form) for permission to reprint.
NOTE: This website is still under construction, there will be many new changes in 2017. Just about all the articles will be updated with new information. As I update each article I will add the link to it in the drop down list on the menu.
so check back often...
I also have a very detailed collection of mini albums worth looking at: http://tinypic.com/3ia1flmr
Health and Nestbox related Articles
Assist Hatches: © This is an updated version of my article that was in the AFA Watchbird. Breeding birds is not totally problem free. Sometimes we can't leave it all to Mother Nature, and expect for the best. This article goes into detail on what to do if you are in a situation where you have to assist with a hatch. I have a NEW updated version of this article that includes the pixs within the text. It is on my other website: Assist hatches
NEW The Importance of Calcium © We have all heard that it is important to supply calcium sources, especially when a bird is laying or breeding. The reason why is to provide enough calcium intake to produce a strong, dense shell on the eggs.
Egg Related Problems: © This article covers several topics from malformed or soft shelled eggs, to prolapsed, and several causes. Also, how many hens actually die of egg-binding? Learn to observe whether the hen is egg-bound, or if there are other health related problems, such as peritonitis, that could be just as life threatening.
Assist Feeding Chicks: © "Help!...my pair just hatched their first chick and they're not feeding it. What do I do?"
Sloppy Feeders: © This article covers some things to look for when you have babies in the nest.
Watch Me Grow!!: © This baby was an assist hatch. He wound up getting malpositioned in the egg and needed a little 'help' to hatch. Since then he has made up for his unusual start and is growing like a weed. Come watch him grow...
Yeast Problems with Babies in the Nest: © This is an updated version of the article I had published in the May/June 1999 issue of the AFA Watchbird. We'll cover a few causes, prevention and treatments.
Sour and Slow Crop Remedies: © These are several things that have worked for me when I have had problems with slow/sour crop and digestive problems. Many of the remedies use simple 'kitchen cabinet' herbs.
Overstretched Crop: © What is it, and what can be done to correct it?
Crop and Digestive Problems: © The most dreaded problem that a hand feeder or breeder can encounter is GI stasis...meaning no movement from the crop or through the digestive tract. Much of the information deals with some very advanced procedures in diagnosing and hopefully restoring crop/digestive function.
NEW Crop Bra © A Crop Bra is a great aid for babies with Overstretched crops.
Dehydrated and Stunted Chicks: © This article has some great illustrations that show 'visual alerts' to a baby in trouble.
Hand feeding Tools: © "Help!, this is my first time hand feeding, what do I use to feed the baby?" There are so many different 'tools' that can be used for hand feeding. Shown will be various types of hand feeding tools and the pros and cons of each type.
NEW Handfeeding and Weaning: © I have found that 'Less Is More' when hand feeding.
NEW Supplemental Heat: © When a bird or baby is sick heat can be essential to recovery
Droppings: © Monitoring your birds droppings can be the first alert to a problem.
Preventative Treatments: © We've all at some point in time used supplements and medications as a 'preventative' measure against problems and disease. Maybe we have to stop and think: 'Why' are we doing this if there is currently not a problem? And also what changes are going on inside the body that we are unaware of.
Stress: © Just a little FYI
Sunflower Seeds: © Well, we've heard all the bad things about sunflower seed. Lets flip the coin and see what this nutrient packed seed contains...
NEW Liver and Kidneys, © Just some FYI
Eating Droppings: © "Gross!" When you see your bird eating droppings for the first time it just makes you sick, and concerned on why, and what can you do to stop this. Your not alone. There are a few supplements that can be given to your bird that will supply the nutrients needed to discourage this.
Eye Problems and Infections: © The first 'assumption' that is made when a cockatiel has an eye infection is that it has psittacosis. Many times this is not the case. This article will cover several causes that can be used as a rule out, prior to hitting the panic button as far as a disease related problem.
BREEDING and Related info:
NEW Banding Cockatiel Chicks: © How to, and a lot of other interesting information
NEW Sexing Cockatiels: © Have you ever wondered what sex your bird is? There are a few differences between the sexes, both visually and physically.
NEW Red Mite attacks ©
NEW Nestbox Wisdom ©
Causes for Infertility © and Low hatch Rates
NEW Average Breeding Characteristics and Age for Cockatiels ©
Problem Solving by Fostering © This is a very old article I wrote when I first started breeding. Some of those bonded proven pairs turned out to be a pair of females, or had other breeding related issues...
Timeline for Cockatiel Mutations in the US
Using the Standard as a Guideline to Breeding for Proportionate Birds
Why Pure Normals are Important
Like to Like (L to L) Pairings
Important update 3/14/17If you have enjoyed the articles, or that have helped you please consider giving a donation. Every contribution (no matter the amount) helps! Please be assured that your donations are going to a good cause. I have been working on several books and much of the delays have been lack of funds to complete them. (click link below)
https://www.paypal.me/AskNoodles
From the Nestbox is a collection of articles that I have written. Several were published in the AFA Watchbird. Some of the articles are from postings I have posted on several cocktatiel lists and forums on the internet. The articles are written to be informative, from my own personal experience, and are not meant to be a replacement for (see Disclaimer) for veterinary care.
Many of the articles have excellent illustrations that can be very helpful to the novice or experienced breeder. If you would like to include an article in a club newsletter please email me (use the Contact Me form) for permission to reprint.
NOTE: This website is still under construction, there will be many new changes in 2017. Just about all the articles will be updated with new information. As I update each article I will add the link to it in the drop down list on the menu.
so check back often...
I also have a very detailed collection of mini albums worth looking at: http://tinypic.com/3ia1flmr
Health and Nestbox related Articles
Assist Hatches: © This is an updated version of my article that was in the AFA Watchbird. Breeding birds is not totally problem free. Sometimes we can't leave it all to Mother Nature, and expect for the best. This article goes into detail on what to do if you are in a situation where you have to assist with a hatch. I have a NEW updated version of this article that includes the pixs within the text. It is on my other website: Assist hatches
NEW The Importance of Calcium © We have all heard that it is important to supply calcium sources, especially when a bird is laying or breeding. The reason why is to provide enough calcium intake to produce a strong, dense shell on the eggs.
Egg Related Problems: © This article covers several topics from malformed or soft shelled eggs, to prolapsed, and several causes. Also, how many hens actually die of egg-binding? Learn to observe whether the hen is egg-bound, or if there are other health related problems, such as peritonitis, that could be just as life threatening.
Assist Feeding Chicks: © "Help!...my pair just hatched their first chick and they're not feeding it. What do I do?"
Sloppy Feeders: © This article covers some things to look for when you have babies in the nest.
Watch Me Grow!!: © This baby was an assist hatch. He wound up getting malpositioned in the egg and needed a little 'help' to hatch. Since then he has made up for his unusual start and is growing like a weed. Come watch him grow...
Yeast Problems with Babies in the Nest: © This is an updated version of the article I had published in the May/June 1999 issue of the AFA Watchbird. We'll cover a few causes, prevention and treatments.
Sour and Slow Crop Remedies: © These are several things that have worked for me when I have had problems with slow/sour crop and digestive problems. Many of the remedies use simple 'kitchen cabinet' herbs.
Overstretched Crop: © What is it, and what can be done to correct it?
Crop and Digestive Problems: © The most dreaded problem that a hand feeder or breeder can encounter is GI stasis...meaning no movement from the crop or through the digestive tract. Much of the information deals with some very advanced procedures in diagnosing and hopefully restoring crop/digestive function.
NEW Crop Bra © A Crop Bra is a great aid for babies with Overstretched crops.
Dehydrated and Stunted Chicks: © This article has some great illustrations that show 'visual alerts' to a baby in trouble.
Hand feeding Tools: © "Help!, this is my first time hand feeding, what do I use to feed the baby?" There are so many different 'tools' that can be used for hand feeding. Shown will be various types of hand feeding tools and the pros and cons of each type.
NEW Handfeeding and Weaning: © I have found that 'Less Is More' when hand feeding.
NEW Supplemental Heat: © When a bird or baby is sick heat can be essential to recovery
Droppings: © Monitoring your birds droppings can be the first alert to a problem.
Preventative Treatments: © We've all at some point in time used supplements and medications as a 'preventative' measure against problems and disease. Maybe we have to stop and think: 'Why' are we doing this if there is currently not a problem? And also what changes are going on inside the body that we are unaware of.
Stress: © Just a little FYI
Sunflower Seeds: © Well, we've heard all the bad things about sunflower seed. Lets flip the coin and see what this nutrient packed seed contains...
NEW Liver and Kidneys, © Just some FYI
Eating Droppings: © "Gross!" When you see your bird eating droppings for the first time it just makes you sick, and concerned on why, and what can you do to stop this. Your not alone. There are a few supplements that can be given to your bird that will supply the nutrients needed to discourage this.
Eye Problems and Infections: © The first 'assumption' that is made when a cockatiel has an eye infection is that it has psittacosis. Many times this is not the case. This article will cover several causes that can be used as a rule out, prior to hitting the panic button as far as a disease related problem.
BREEDING and Related info:
NEW Banding Cockatiel Chicks: © How to, and a lot of other interesting information
NEW Sexing Cockatiels: © Have you ever wondered what sex your bird is? There are a few differences between the sexes, both visually and physically.
NEW Red Mite attacks ©
NEW Nestbox Wisdom ©
Causes for Infertility © and Low hatch Rates
NEW Average Breeding Characteristics and Age for Cockatiels ©
Problem Solving by Fostering © This is a very old article I wrote when I first started breeding. Some of those bonded proven pairs turned out to be a pair of females, or had other breeding related issues...
Timeline for Cockatiel Mutations in the US
Using the Standard as a Guideline to Breeding for Proportionate Birds
Why Pure Normals are Important
Like to Like (L to L) Pairings
