Parrot Breeding Process: A Comprehensive Guide

The Various Stages of Parrot Breeding

1. Pairing for Breeding

For those who aspire to breed parrots, it's best to start by acquiring a pair—a male and a female—from the outset. Parrots are not suited for solitary living, so having a couple from the beginning is ideal. When purchasing parrots, it's important to discuss with the seller to select birds with good temperaments and robust health. As the breeding season approaches, place the birds in the same cage and move the cage to a darker area to provide them with an optimal environment.

2. Mating and Courtship

To stimulate the birds' mating instincts, provide them with highcalorie, highprotein diets. If the male parrot displays behaviors like constantly rubbing its tail, pecking at perches, or calling out, it's a sign that he's in the mood. This is his way of expressing his affection. As courtship progresses, the male's shoulders will fan out, and the female will raise her tail feathers in response. The male will then mount the female for mating. Once fertilization occurs, and the eggs in the female's body mature, she will enter the nest box to lay her eggs.

3. Egg Laying

Approximately a week after mating, the female will retreat to the nest box, and her abdomen will gradually swell and harden. She will soon produce large, smelly feces, indicating that she is about to lay an egg. Typically, parrots lay between 5 to 6 eggs in a nest. During this time, ensure the female receives a balanced diet of highcalorie, highprotein treats, along with calciumrich foods and fresh vegetables to support her health.

4. Incubation

As the female begins to incubate the eggs, the male will bring food into the nest box for her. He will also stand guard in front of the nest box, alert and protective. Once the eggs are incubating, you can return to the regular feeding routine.

5. Hatching

After 17 to 23 days of incubation, the eggs will hatch in the order they were laid, though some may not survive. After hatching, the female will regurgitate food and feed it to the chicks. Your main task now is to maintain the incubation box at a temperature of 26 to 30°C and a humidity of 60 to 70%, ensuring the box is clean and the birds receive a balanced, nutritious diet. The female will care for the chicks, so you can step back and let her do her job without constant supervision, to avoid her abandoning the nest.

6. Fledgling Care

When the chicks hatch, they are often featherless or have only a few feathers, and their eyes are closed. It takes about a week for their eyes to open, and another two weeks for them to start growing feathers. By the third week, the chicks' feathers will begin to take on vibrant colors.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Tips: Breeding parrots is a laborintensive process with its own set of risks, such as egg binding, which can lead to the female's exhaustion and difficulty in laying. Therefore, it's crucial to provide proper assistance and care during the breeding period to ensure the health and wellbeing of your parrots.