Parakeet Breeding... Should I?

[timothykinkle]

I am newbie when it comes to parakeet breeding and I had my parakeets for two and a half years. I have a TON of questions to ask having to deal with parakeet breeding. First of all, after reading back and forwarth between everything, there are some sites that say it is not too difficult and other sites saying it can risk the birds life. If that is the case should I still go for it? And can sombody explain to me the steps and things needed for breeding. Such as what additional things are needed to feed them and so on. For those of you who breed parakeets do you find it hard breeding them for the first time?

[parakeetlover321]

Hi

Ok you have 2 parakeets and you want to breed them the things you probley should get is these:

1.) breeding box

2.) A
protein supplement you can find these in a pet store and it should say. Nesting egg food and you just sprinkle it over there regualr food. Or you can boil eggs for 30 min than mash em up and that is an excellent source of protein. the point is th efemale needs protein.

3.) Need to know of a vet in the area becuase EGG BINDING can occur so just incase it does you will know were to go ahead of time.

5.) fresh vegatables every day

6.) I would get the hen check first to see if its in tip top shape to breed

7.) they need cuttle bone mineral block

8.) you should put inside the nest box is a handful of cedar or pine shavings (as is used for hamsters or guinea pig) big ones though not small one they can choke on.

if you supple those thongs you should have happy new additions to your family baby parakeets.

[charmedagain]

Ok well to clear things up breeding is very easy if things are done correctly.

Firslty you will need the following.

1. A cage large enough to hold upto 8 parakeets the reason for this is because once the chicks leave the nest they need plenty of room for them aswell as the parents.

2. Cuttlefish bone and Mineral block should be in the cage at all times.

3. Both birds need to be 18months or older.

4. The pair should have been caged together for atleast 6months to get them to bond together unbonded pair result in neglected chicks.

5. The cage should be placed in a quiet room away from alot of noise and people.

To ensure that breeding starts and goes well.

1. Make sure the room the birds are placed in is kept at a constant warm temperature a dip in temp can cause chilled eggs and chicks.

2. The parents should be introduced to soft foods such as...
Boiled mashed up eggs
Boiled Brown Rice.
Boiled pasta.
Wholewheat bread.
An egg food designed for handfeeding and weaning baby birds this should be placed in a dish of its own can be given moist or dry i give mine it dry aswell as there normal seed diet.
Millet spray is high in vitamins.
Dark leafy greens is a good source of Vitamin E which helps with fertility.

I give them a nest box 2weeks after starting them on soft foods.
10-14days after the nest box is put up the hen will usually lay her first egg.

The nest should be lined with plain woodshavings never use any that is scented or treated as this is toxic to birds and even more so to the chicks.

You will notice when the hen is going to lay as her poop will become large and copious.
I only ever check the nest once a day during the egg laying process.
They can lay between 4-8 eggs and more have been recorded mine laid 10 and all hatched and survived.

Aslong as the hens diet is correct and the room temprature is kept warm she will not suffer egg binding.

Signs of egg binding are sitting fluffed up and favouring one leg and looks very exhausted, Simply remove the hen and gently rub some vegtable oil on her vent area and place her in a warm box in a quiet place, Keep an eye on her and she will usually pass the egg as she will be concentrating on laying the egg rather than having to deal with incubating the others do not worry the eggs in the nest will be fine if the room is warm or the male is sat on them

The incubation period is usually 19days long which starts after the 2nd or 3rd egg has been laid.
She may look like she is incubating the first egg but she is not giving off any heat until her 2nd or 3rd egg is in the nest.

You do not have to remove the male as he plays a part in incubating the eggs and raising the chicks.

Do not worry if the female will not allow him in the nest while she is laying or incubating her eggs as this is normal.

If you would like anymore information do not hesitate to ask.

Mike

[timothykinkle]

To Mike-

What specified temperature? Mine is between 70-75 (F) type of temperature is this considered "warm"

And unfortunately, everywhere in my house is preety noisy, so I did put them in the quietest area, it isn't completely soundproof and they might see people from a distance, but it is the best place to put them, because we aren't in that area all the time.

[charmedagain]

Hi that temp is fine.
Aslong as its not too noisy they will settle down to breed.

Good luck and let us know how things work out.

Mike