My pair of cockatail dropping unusual!!!!!?

Question

My pair layed 4 eggs, and they all hatched. It's been 1 day since the last one hatched. But, since 3 days my cockatiels have droppings that are normal sized, but, they are yellow, and there's water with it too. The yellow poop and the water is not MIXED! They(yellow poop and water) are separate. I have been giving them some boiled rice to feed the babies (they eat it too) and I also give them seeds.Do you know why?

Also, after the babies hatched, my cockatiels are not sitting on them much during the day. They didn't abandon them because I can still see them feeding the babies.I don't know why they are not sitting on the babies, do you know why?

Answer 1

This is serious by sounds of what you are saying your cockatiel might be infected with psittacosis. Psittacosis is also known as parrot fever, or "Chlamydophila" This is what turns the poo yellow, and its the only thing i can come up with, psittacosis can lay dorment in a bird for up to a year or can show itself straight away, how long have you had these birds?? It isnt a disease as such and if bird can get treatment from a vet it will be healed, and if no treatment taken it can result in death, however if you have changed your tiel diet it might be that however never heard of it making the poop yellow, Also birds can be carriers of this disease and not show any signs, so you out to get it checked when mum is finished rearing young (as you cannot take her away now) for simple fact being is that is she is a carrier its more than likely that the young will have it passed to them, also second answer being mum may not be sitting on the babies much because the temprature must be warn enuff for her, by sounds of it if she is still feeding them that is what it most probably is, Also the white/clear liquid thats coming out is parrot "urine" the green or yellow as you say is the poop.

P.s Lookout for other signs of psittacosis such as difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, tremors, weight loss or sudden death

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I would talk to a vet, my hen would do the same for about a week after her babies hatched...stress on the parents caused by their bodies needing to pre-process the babies food could be a cause. Sometimes when the parents are feeding, they focus so much on the babies that they don't get the proper nutrition themselves...they sometimes forget to eat for themselves. I would offer them egg bicuits (you can find them at a pet store) and even some whole grain breads. The rice may not be the best thing for them, there is very minimal nutritional value in it, and it may be the cause of the diarrhea. I would also offer them greens, like fresh (not canned) green beans, you can even get a bag of that salad mix called "spring mix" it has dandelion greens and etc in it...(you can find that at any grocery store)

As for sitting on them after awhile they get too big to sit on. I wouldn't worry too much, just make sure they are warm, their little down feathers should be clean and fluffy and their crops (sack of food in their throats) should be full. You should be able to see through the crop and see the seed mix inside it should also look really inflated like a balloon almost about to pop. That is how to tell if they are being fed enough and healthy.

But I still suggest a vet (a bird vet, not all of them treat birds or are even trained in birds)

Good Luck :) but be prepared if this is the parents first clutch of babies, they all might not survive, so to make sure they have the best chance see a vet ASAP.

Answer 3

Do not worry about their poop, it will change colors in different stages of the breeding season.And in most cases be over sized loads of poop in one plop usally from the female. At this time it is best to feed the parents KAYTEE hand feeding formula over some thawed out or canned corn. Also feeding them a slice of wheat bread and 3 strands of millet spray daily first thing in the mornings. Those food asure the babies and the parents all get enough to eat for themselves too. I have 5 new born babies this week in one nest myself and it is a job for this pair of birds but they are doing great and eating all I place in the cage too. They have raised 4 in the last clutch.

Dont worry too much either about them not sitting on the babies, they need their time out of the box and probly use it for resting, preening, and eating, along with stretching from sitting all night. Plus the babies need this time to try and stand up and feel what its like to be free of being sat on all the time. They need the fresh air. Just make sure while the parents are out of the nest, that you use that time to go into the box and take the babies out and clean the box and replace any wood shavings that need to be replaced for bedding. PINE shavings usally work really well and are easy to clean up after. Then place the babies back in the nest box and leave the room when your done so the parents will go see what you did and see you didnt harm the babies. Building thier trust in you at the same time. Keeping your babies CLEAN in the nest box will keep them healthy with strong legs and wings. And free of any diseases you may not see with your eyes.

All that you have described sounds normal to me, I have raised these birds for 20 yrs now. Good Luck with YOURS!

Answer 4

They have diareahh for some reason, try asking you vet and bring along the regimen of food you have had them on, my guess is that they are lacking a nutritional supplement of some kind or may be sick