Nesting is the process by which a bird prepares for egg laying and raising young. It involves finding or building a nest, laying and incubating eggs, feeding hatchlings, and fledging young birds. Proper nesting requires following certain guidelines and rules to ensure success. As a bird owner, it’s important to understand these ground rules for nesting so you can support your birds through the breeding and rearing process.
When to Allow Nesting
The first rule of nesting is knowing when to provide nesting opportunities. In the wild, birds time their breeding based on cues like weather, food availability, and daylight hours. As a responsible owner, you’ll want to mimic natural breeding cycles.
Most pet bird species are ready to breed by 12-24 months old. Talk to your avian vet to determine if your bird is physically mature enough for breeding. Wait until after the first molt, when your bird has acquired adult plumage.
Time breeding attempts when you can devote ample attention. The incubation and hand-feeding process requires diligent monitoring for 4-8 weeks. Avoid travel, busy work seasons, or other distractions.
Preparing the Nest
Choosing an appropriate nesting site is key. Opt for an enclosed space like a nest box or coconut hut. The small entry hole makes parents feel secure. Place the nest out of direct sunlight and drafts.
Offer a variety of nesting materials so the pair can build to their preferences. Shredded paper, twigs, leaves, bark strips, and pine needles are commonly used. Include a 2-3 inch layer of wood shavings or litter to form the nest base.
Monitor nest building activity. Remove excessively large pieces. Discourage mate aggression around the nest. Every few days, peek inside when the parents are away.
Egg Laying
Egg laying will start once the nest is complete. Most parrots lay 2-4 eggs per clutch. Larger species like macaws may lay up to 6 eggs. The eggs arrive every other day until the clutch is complete.
Leave eggs undisturbed during this time. Moving or handling eggs can cause parents to abandon the nest. Mark each egg inconspicuously with pencil so you can track laying order. Candling eggs with a bright flashlight at 5-7 days can reveal embryo development.
Once the clutch is complete, expect incubation to begin. One parent will sit tight in the nest while the other brings food. Incubation lasts 18-30 days depending on species. Monitor the nest, but limit disturbances to 1-2 brief checks per week.
Incubation Periods
Species | Incubation Period |
---|---|
Budgies | 18 days |
Cockatiels | 18-21 days |
Conures | 24-28 days |
Amazons | 24-29 days |
Macaws | 26-30 days |
Hatching and Brooding
Once incubation is complete, the eggs will begin piping and hatching. Newly hatched parrots are altricial – blind, featherless, and completely dependent on parental care.
For the first 2-3 weeks, one parent will remain in the nest almost constantly to brood the hatchlings. Only leave the nest for quick bites and bathroom breaks. The mate will bring food back to the nest.
Avoid peeking in the nest during the early brooding period. New parents are sensitive to perceived threats. Brief glimpses should only be done if you must candle unhatched eggs.
Developmental Milestones
Age | Developmental Milestones |
---|---|
Hatching | Egg tooth for pipping, closed eyes, sparse down |
1 week | Eyes begin opening, quills breaking skin |
2 weeks | Eyes fully open, covered in quills |
3 weeks | Feathers emerging, moving around nest |
4 weeks | Well feathered, venturing to nest entrance |
Hand-Feeding
At 2-4 weeks old, the chicks are ready for hand-feeding. Gently remove each bird twice per day to deliver formula. Target 10% of their body weight per feeding. Reuniting chicks with parents between meals encourages natural weaning.
To hand-feed, hold the chin and gently open the beak. Place drops of warmed formula at the back of the mouth. Allow time to swallow between drops. Burp after each feeding by gently rubbing the crop.
Sanitize feeding tools and hands thoroughly before and after feedings. Follow clutch order closely to ensure each chick gets adequate nutrition. Weigh daily and track growth rates for each bird.
If chicks fall significantly behind, supplemental feedings or incubator care may be needed. Consult an avian vet for assistance.
Hand-Feeding Tools
Tool | Purpose |
---|---|
Gram scale | Weigh chicks to track growth |
Syringes | Deliver precise volumes of formula |
Bowls | Heat water for preparing formula |
Incubator | Maintain optimal temperature if needed |
Fledging
At 5-12 weeks old, the hatchlings will be ready to fledge. They’ll spend longer periods peering out the nest, fluttering wings. Fledging age varies based on species size. Budgies may fly at 4 weeks, while large macaws fledge closer to 12 weeks.
Once fledged, the youngsters still rely heavily on parents for another 6-10 weeks. The family will remain closely bonded during the weaning process. Support this transition by providing ample soft foods, milk thistle, and pellets.
When chicks become independent, they can be removed for hand-taming and rehoming. Take things slow, as parent-raised birds are often wary of humans. Work on basic training before introducing housing changes.
Weaning Foods
Food | Description |
---|---|
Mashed pellets | Soft transition diet with nutrients |
Chopped produce | Fruits, veggies, greens, beans |
Sprouts | Nutritious natural forage |
Nut butter | High calorie spread for dipping |
Whole nuts | Tastes to crack and chew |
Troubleshooting
Despite close attention, you may encounter issues like:
Infertility
Some pairs may struggle to conceive due to age, inexperience, or health problems. Try relaxing techniques like long nights, diet change, or cage rearrangement. If no eggs appear after multiple attempts, have birds vet checked.
Egg binding
Difficulty passing eggs may require emergency medical care. Symptoms are straining, lying down, and lack of appetite. Have an avian vet intervene if binding lasts over 12 hours.
Rejecting hatchlings
In rare cases, parents may ignore chicks, fail to feed, or remove from the nest. Be prepared to hand-feed and brood if this occurs. Isolate chicks if parents become aggressive.
Slow chick growth
Monitor weight daily and watch for missed milestones. Underdevelopment can indicate insufficient feeding, parasites, infections, or congenital issues. Vet exams and lab work can diagnose the cause.
Conclusion
With preparation and vigilance, breeding birds can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Ensuring parents are healthy, the environment is stable, and chicks are thriving is extremely rewarding. Remember, patience is key – allow ample time for each stage of the process. Trust in your birds’ natural instincts, but don’t hesitate to intervene for the wellbeing of parents and babies alike. If you take things slow and steady, your guidance will lead to a smooth nesting season full of joy.