The Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely incubate lovebird eggs yourself if you want to breed lovebirds. However, incubating lovebird eggs takes dedication, proper equipment, and knowledge about the incubation process. The optimal incubation temperature for lovebird eggs is 37.5°C (99.5°F) with a relative humidity of 50-65%. The incubation period lasts about 23 days. It’s crucial to carefully monitor the eggs and incubation conditions every day. With some experience, lovebird owners can successfully hatch healthy chicks at home.
Should I Incubate Lovebird Eggs?
Deciding whether or not to incubate lovebird eggs yourself is an important choice. Here are some key considerations:
– Time commitment – Incubating eggs takes daily work and monitoring for 3 weeks straight. Are you prepared to diligently care for the eggs every day?
– Costs – You’ll need an incubator, hatching supplies, and brooding setup. Be prepared to spend $200-500 on equipment.
– Experience level – Have you incubated eggs before? It takes practice to do it well. If not, start with just a few eggs.
– Facilities – Do you have a suitable area for the incubator and hatchlings? Temperature and separation from other birds are vital.
– Outcome uncertainty – Even with great care, some eggs won’t hatch. Are you emotionally ready if eggs don’t develop?
– Raising hatchlings – Once eggs hatch, you’ll have baby lovebirds to care for. Make sure you have time, resources, and avian experience.
If you’re committed and ready for the responsibilities of incubating and raising chicks, then go for it! But don’t take it lightly, as improper incubation can harm embryo development.
Lovebird Egg Incubation Basics
Here are the key factors for properly incubating lovebird eggs:
Incubation Temperature
– Maintain a consistent temperature of 37.5°C or 99.5°F inside the incubator.
– Use an incubator thermometer to monitor it. Don’t rely solely on the incubator settings.
– Too low can cause embryo developmental issues. Too high can overheat embryos.
– Maintain temperature very steadily. Fluctuations above/below optimal range cause problems.
Incubation Humidity
– Keep relative humidity around 50-65% inside the incubator.
– Buy a hygrometer to accurately measure it.
– Use a water reservoir, sponges, or spray bottle to increase humidity as needed.
– Low humidity causes excessive evaporation and embryo dehydration.
– High humidity facilitates bacterial growth and reduces oxygen exchange.
Turning Eggs
– Lovebird eggs should be turned at least 3 times per day. Turn along the horizontal axis.
– Turning prevents embryo adhesion to shell and stimulates development.
– Stop turning the eggs 3 days before hatch when embryos get in hatching position.
Incubation Period
– Lovebird eggs generally hatch after 22-24 days of incubation.
– Mark each egg and track incubation start date to know hatch dates.
– Not all eggs may hatch at same time. Stragglers up to 48 hours behind is normal.
– Remove any unhatched eggs only after confirming not viable anymore.
Monitoring Progress
– Candle eggs starting day 5 to check for fertility and embryo development.
– Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg to observe inside.
– Look for signs of blood vessel growth and dark mass of embryo.
– Remove any rotting eggs immediately to prevent bacterial infection spread.
– Discard eggs not showing normal progress after 10-14 days.
Careful control of these key factors will give lovebird eggs the optimal conditions to hatch successfully. Monitor and adjust as needed each day.
Incubation Equipment Needed
To incubate lovebird eggs, you need to obtain the proper incubation equipment:
Incubator
– Purchase a still-air incubator with capacity for the number of eggs.
– Look for models with automatic egg turning and circulation fans.
– Digital display and settings for precise temperature control.
– Styrofoam incubators hold heat and humidity well.
– Mini incubators for less than 12 eggs or cabinet models for more capacity.
Hygrometer
– Measures relative humidity levels inside the incubator.
– Digital hygrometers for accurate humidity range tracking.
– Analog types prone to inaccuracy over time.
Thermometer
– Crucial for verifying incubator’s internal temperature.
– Digital thermometers with probes give precise readings.
– Place probe at egg level, away from heat source.
Egg Turners
– Rotates eggs automatically to prevent sticking.
– Manual turners also available but less convenient.
– Turning motors should be reliable and quiet.
Hatching Supplies
– Hatching pads, brooders, chick feed, bedding, etc.
– Plan brooding setup in advance for hatchling care.
Research options and invest in the best equipment you can reasonably afford. Proper tools greatly increase hatching success.
Incubator Setup and Placement
Optimizing your incubator setup is crucial for proper lovebird egg incubation:
– Place incubator in stable environment away from drafts and direct sunlight.
– Ensure room temperature is around 25°C (77°F) for efficient operation.
– Run incubator for several hours to stabilize temperature before adding eggs.
– Position thermometer and hygrometer probes at egg level.
– Add water reservoirs or hydration systems for humidity.
– Test automatic egg turning function. Turning should be gentle.
– Allow proper airflow around incubator. Don’t block ventilation ports.
– Keep area clean: disinfect surfaces, wash hands before handling.
– Keep detailed records of settings, changes, egg status, and observations.
Proper incubator setup and diligent monitoring are vital for healthy embryo development. Adjust as needed to maintain optimal incubation conditions.
Incubating Lovebird Eggs Step-by-Step
Follow this step-by-step guide for incubating lovebird eggs successfully:
1. Choose Fertile Eggs
– Select clean, defect-free eggs from bonded breeding pairs.
– Discard any oddly shaped, cracked, or soiled eggs.
– Leave with parents for 24-48 hours to allow fertilization.
– Remove any brooded eggs – incubation must start immediately.
2. Mark Eggs
– Use a pencil to number each egg for tracking.
– Mark an X on one side and O on the opposite side.
– Note lay date, expected hatch date, parents, etc.
3. Place in Incubator
– Arrange eggs pointy end down in incubator trays.
– Ensure adequate space between eggs for air flow.
– Run incubator for 3-5 hours first to stabilize conditions.
4. Maintain Proper Conditions
– Keep temperature at 37.5°C/99.5°F consistently.
– Maintain 50-65% humidity range.
– Turn eggs minimum 3 times daily until 3 days pre-hatch.
– Candle at intervals to check development status.
5. Monitor Hatching
– Ideal hatch period is days 22-24 of incubation.
– When pippingstarts, increase humidity slightly and stop turning.
– Allow chicks to hatch fully on their own.
– Wait 12+ hours before helping weak chicks emerge.
– Let chicks fully dry before removing to brooder.
With diligent monitoring and care, you can hatch healthy lovebird chicks! Be prepared for the responsibility of hand feeding and raising them.
Incubation Troubleshooting
Even with great care, you may encounter some incubation problems. Here are troubleshooting tips:
Embryo Mortality
– Fertility issues – Ensure eggs from proven breeding pair.
– Temperature fluctuations – Maintain stable 99.5°F consistently.
– Insufficient humidity – Keep between 50-65% range.
– Egg turning errors – Turn 3x daily until 3 days pre-hatch.
– Contamination – Disinfect incubator, tools. Handle eggs carefully.
Hatching Problems
– Hatch too early – Adjust incubation length for your conditions.
– Pipped but not emerged – Increase humidity. Allow more time before assisting.
– Malpositioned – Gently reposition and allow more time before helping.
– Stuck to shell – Raise humidity. Carefully loosen shell if still stuck after 12+ hours.
– Cord tangled – Use sterile tweezers to gently untangle if chicks cannot free themselves.
With attention and quick adjustments, many common issues can be resolved. Don’t hesitate to assist chicks if needed.
Caring for Hatchlings
Once lovebird eggs successfully hatch, you’ll need proper care for the hatchlings:
Brooder Setup
– Use plastic tubs or wood brooding boxes.
– Line with soft bedding like pine shavings.
– Add a heat source to keep around 90°F for first week.
– Provide shelter and avoid drafts.
Feeding
– Start offering finely crushed lovebird chick pellets and soaked seed immediately.
– Hand feed every 1-2 hours initially. Get crop full but not overpacked.
– Transition to self feeding by providing ample feed in shallow dishes.
Health Checks
– Monitor weight and crop fullness to ensure feeding is adequate.
– Watch for pasted vents, splay legs, infections, etc. Address issues promptly.
– Keep brooder very clean and change bedding frequently.
With attentive care and proper hand feeding, lovebird chicks can grow into thriving juveniles ready for weaning.
Key Considerations
Here are some additional key points to ensure success incubating lovebird eggs:
– Research lovebird breeding and hand raising extensively before starting.
– Invest in reliable incubation equipment suitable for lovebirds.
– Only incubate eggs from mature, bonded breeding pairs.
– Candle eggs periodically to monitor embryo development.
– Isolate breeding pairs once eggs are laid to maximize fertility window.
– Plan brooding area and acquire needed supplies in advance.
– Be prepared to hand feed chicks every 1-2 hours around the clock initially.
– Remove any cracked, misshapen, or double-yolk eggs early on.
– Keep detailed records of incubation conditions and each egg’s progress.
– Have avian vet’s contact information in case of hatchling health issues.
– Do not attempt hatching eggs unless you can fully commit to raising the chicks.
With preparation and dedication, lovebird owners can have an enriching experience incubating and hatching eggs successfully. Do your research and be ready for the demands before getting started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about incubating lovebird eggs:
What temperature should I keep the incubator at?
Maintain a steady temperature of 37.5°C or 99.5°F. Even small fluctuations can impact embryo development.
How often should I turn lovebird eggs?
Turn the eggs at least 3 times per day during incubation until 3 days before hatching. Turning prevents sticking.
What happens if I accidentally turn eggs after day 18?
Stop turning immediately. The embryos should reposition themselves back. Hatch may be slightly delayed.
How will I know if the eggs are fertile?
Candle the eggs after 5 days of incubation. You should see a network of blood vessels and dark mass. Discard any duds.
Is it okay to help a chick emerge from the egg?
Avoid assisting hatch unless the chick is weak, malpositioned, or has been stuck for 12+ hours. Use extreme care.
Can I save an egg that got cracked during incubation?
Unfortunately cracked eggs have very low hatch rates as bacteria can enter. Remove any with cracks or damage immediately.
Following proper lovebird egg incubation techniques diligently will give you the best chance of success! Do your research before getting started.
Conclusion
Incubating lovebird eggs is very feasible for a committed bird owner. But proper equipment, diligent monitoring, and consistent ideal conditions are a must. Failing to follow best practices for lovebird egg incubation and hatchling rearing will almost certainly result in disappointment.
Give your lovebird eggs the greatest chance for hatching success by:
– Investing in a quality incubator, hygrometer, thermometer, and egg turner
– Maintaining proper temperature and humidity ranges 24/7
– Turning eggs consistently until days before hatch
– Candling eggs to track embryo development
– Monitoring hatching and assisting chicks if issues emerge
– Having an appropriate brooding setup ready
– Hand feeding chicks around the clock in the first days
While not without challenges, incubating lovebird eggs can be an extremely rewarding experience. Just be sure to educate yourself thoroughly and have the commitment required before getting started. With proper diligence and care, you can have the satisfaction of successfully hatching healthy lovebird chicks at home.