Cockatiels become tame very quickly.
When cockatiels hatch, they are blind and utterly helpless, to the point that they can not maintain a stable body temperature. However, the chicks grow quickly, and may weigh more than their parents by the time they leave the nest at roughly one month of age. During this time of rapid growth, the baby cockatiels will be dependent on their parents for food, warmth, and protection, and will grow noticeably every day.
First Week
Newly-hatched birds typically do not eat for the first few days of life, due to remaining yolk within their crops.
When a cockatiel chick hatches, it is covered in a fine layer of moist down feathers; it is blind and utterly helpless. It also lacks a feeding reflex, as its crop (a storage organ in the bird's throat) will still contain some of the egg yolk. It will begin feeding by its second day of life. Its eyes will begin opening by its third day, but will not be fully opened for some time. The chick will also begin reacting to stimuli, generally by begging for food, or displaying defensiveness by hissing. The first pinfeathers should begin appearing by the seventh day.
Throughout the first week of life, the chicks should be gaining a measurable amount of weight every day.
Second Week
Throughout the second week of life, cockatiel chicks will mature significantly. While the first week was consumed with eating and growing, chicks still remain completely helpless during that vital first step. Throughout the second week, cockatiel chicks will become more active, standing and slowly gaining a sense of balance. Roughly halfway through the second week, the chick's eyes will open, generally on the 11th day. They will begin stretching and flapping their wings, in preparation for fledging, or the growth of feathers. In addition, their pinfeathers (also known as quills) will grow throughout this week, though they will generally not open until the beginning of the third week.
Third Week
Cockatiel chicks' quills usually begin to open on the 15th day of life. While these feathers will still be short, relative to their length in adulthood, they will gradually grow in length as they open. The primary flight feathers and tail feathers will open first and grow the most. In addition, the young birds' crests will first become apparent, usually by the 16th day. During this week, the young cockatiels will continue exercising their wings while never trying to truly fly, and will begin to preen themselves. They will also become much more active, exploring the nest and possibly venturing out of it from time to time. Curiosity and play behavior will become apparent.
Fourth Week and Later
In the fourth week, the parents of a young cockatiel will begin to wean their young. During this phase, the chicks will finish fledging, and will likely begin to fly. However, the first flight may not occur until well into the fifth week. It is inadvisable to clip young cockatiels' flight feathers until they gain some measure of control during flight. Young cockatiels will also being displaying many adult social behaviors during the fourth week. It is advisable to offer many of the same amenities given to true adult cockatiels during this time.
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