Breeding parakeets doesn’t pose significant challenges, yet it’s important to familiarize yourself with essential considerations before pairing a male and female. Discover valuable insights on selecting the optimal diet, ensuring the appropriate cage and parakeet nesting box, and providing proper care for the parakeet offspring until they reach the weaning stage.
How Do Parakeets Mate?
When choosing parakeets for breeding, it is essential to always opt for birds that are in excellent health and have no deformities. Additionally, there are several fundamental steps to consider when pairing parakeets for the purpose of breeding.
1. Assessing the Authenticity of Your Parakeet Pair
In the realm of parakeets, it’s worth noting that a strong bond can develop between almost any two individuals, particularly if they have no other options available. Therefore, a seemingly apparent breeding pair could actually consist of two female parakeets or two male parakeets. However, the good news is that these delightful birds possess a quality known as sexual dimorphism, allowing us to discern the gender of each bird based on their physical characteristics.
- Females : Young females may exhibit a slightly lighter shade of blue on their ceres, accompanied by a distinct light ring encircling each nostril opening, which is absent in males. As these females mature, their ceres transition to a tannish brown hue and acquire a rougher texture. It is worth noting that albino and lutino hens may initially display lavender-colored ceres, but these too will transform into a brownish and rough texture as they reach maturity.
- Male : In general, male budgies typically possess a ceres of blue coloration. The cere refers to the fleshy area located just above their beak, encompassing the nostrils. In males, the nostril holes are entirely blue. However, certain ornamental variations such as lutinos, albinos, and select pastel-colored birds exhibit a pinkish-lavender hue in their ceres, with the nostrils also displaying a lavender shade.
2. The Formation of Bonds is Crucial for Parakeet Breeding
Establishing a bond is crucial prior to the breeding of a genuine pair. Occasionally, birds may form pairs spontaneously within a larger flock. However, if you aim to selectively breed for specific colors and patterns, you have the option to choose the male and female you desire to pair. Ideally, it is advisable to pair juvenile birds and allow them to grow up together. Nonetheless, it is still feasible to pair adult birds.
To initiate the pairing process, place your intended pair in a spacious cage and provide them with sufficient time to acclimate to living together. As they bond, you will observe them perching next to each other and moving in sync. Gradually, the male will commence feeding the female. Witnessing this behavior indicates a true bond between them.
3. Be patient until the parakeet pair attains maturity and reaches the suitable breeding condition
Parakeets typically reach breeding maturity at approximately one year old. It is important to observe the hen closely for signs of a brown, crusty-looking cere, as this indicates the ideal time to arrange the nesting boxes for your parakeets.
Colony Parakeet Breeding Versus Breeding Single Pairs: A Comparative Analysis
Breeding parakeets is commonly carried out through two primary methods: colony breeding and breeding individual pairs. These approaches differ in their approach and outcomes.
- Breeding Individual Pairs
Providing a dedicated breeding space for a single pair of parakeets significantly simplifies the task of managing the situation.
By assigning exclusive quarters to each pair, any concerns regarding the parentage of the chicks can be completely eliminated. Furthermore, the occurrence of conflicts between adult parakeets is greatly minimized in such a setup.
Another advantage of this arrangement is the reduced likelihood of egg damage, as the eggs are subject to fewer disturbances and potential harm.
- Colony Breeding for Parakeets
To establish a colony breeding setup, it is essential to arrange multiple pairs within a spacious flight. The dimensions of the flight enclosure should ideally measure approximately 6 feet in length, 3 feet in width, and 4 feet in height, ensuring that the wire spacing does not exceed one-half inch. Each pair must be allocated a dedicated nest box, while an additional nest box should be included to mitigate potential conflicts. It is advisable to suspend all the nest boxes at an equal height near the enclosure’s upper section.
Although colony breeding offers certain advantages, such as the convenience of a centralized cleaning area and the assurance of providing sufficient exercise for your pairs, it also comes with several drawbacks.
Ensuring that your pairs won’t switch partners or preventing an especially dominant male from breeding with multiple females becomes challenging in colony breeding.
Even though maintaining a balanced number of males and females usually promotes peaceful coexistence, conflicts and fights can still occur.
There is a slight possibility that some parents may attack offspring that are not their own, and there may be instances where eggs get damaged.
Furthermore, if you allow the parents to raise the chicks until weaning, it can become challenging to keep track of which pair each chick belongs to.
Setting Up a Breeding Environment
Breeding Cage
When it comes to providing the ideal environment for breeding parakeets, the dimensions of the breeding cage play a crucial role. The following are recommended measurements to ensure the comfort and well-being of your parakeet breeding pair:
- Length: A suitable length for a parakeet breeding cage is around 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 centimeters). This length provides ample space for the birds to move around and engage in natural behaviors, including courtship and flying within the cage.
- Width: The width of the breeding cage should be approximately 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 centimeters). This width allows for the placement of necessary accessories, such as perches, nesting boxes, and food and water dishes, without restricting the birds’ movement.
- Height: A recommended height for a parakeet breeding cage is around 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 centimeters). This height provides sufficient vertical space for the parakeets to perch, fly, and display their courtship behaviors, such as wing flapping and hopping.
- Bar Spacing: The spacing between the bars of the cage is an important consideration to prevent any potential escape or injury. For parakeets, the ideal bar spacing should be between 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1 to 1.5 centimeters). This spacing ensures that the birds cannot squeeze through the bars or get their heads or wings caught.
Parakeet Nesting Box
There is a wide range of nest boxes available, varying in size and design, each intended for specific bird breeds. To ensure suitability for parakeets, it is advisable to opt for a nest box clearly labeled for parakeets. The HDBS (Household and Domestic Bird Society) recommends selecting a nest box with a 1½-inch hole, which serves as an entrance for the birds. Ideally, look for a rectangular box with the opening positioned at one end, accompanied by a circular recess on the opposite side, intended for the placement of eggs. For convenient inspection of eggs or hatchlings, the nest box will typically feature a removable lid, located either on top or on one of the sides.
Nesting Material
Various types of nesting material are accessible, necessitating experimentation to discover the preferred option for your pair. Aspen shavings and recycled newspaper are considered safe choices. Even shredded newspaper can be acceptable; however, it is important to avoid using cedar shavings due to their toxic fumes that can harm birds.
It is quite common for your pair to expel all the nesting material from the box, as parakeets have a tendency to prefer a minimalistic nesting environment.
Lighting
Parakeets typically require a balanced cycle of 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness for adequate rest under normal circ*mstances. These birds have a tendency to enter their breeding condition when the days are longer. To support their reproductive health, it can be advantageous to augment their daylight exposure by a few extra hours using full-spectrum lighting. Moreover, light plays a crucial role in enabling female parakeets to synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for the production of robust eggshells and strong bones.
Parakeet Breeder Diet
When it comes to a breeder diet, two crucial factors to consider are variety and abundance of food. Providing your pair with a plentiful supply of nutritious food greatly increases the likelihood of successful nesting. Soft foods, in particular, play a significant role in preparing the pair for breeding, as they are not only beneficial in bringing them into breeding condition but also essential for feeding the chicks. Introducing these soft foods to your pair prior to breeding ensures that they will readily consume them once the chicks hatch, contributing to the overall well-being and growth of the offspring.
This diet should include:
- Premium parakeet pellet blend: These meticulously crafted pellets provide a well-rounded nutritional profile, ensuring your beloved parakeet receives optimal nourishment with every nibble. Make sure to keep them readily accessible at all times for your feathered friend’s continuous enjoyment.
- Fresh, organic leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits should be at the top of your list when it comes to making healthy food choices: Incorporating nutrient-rich options like kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, carrots, peas, corn, apples, bananas, cooked sweet potatoes, and bell peppers into your diet is highly recommended. Don’t overlook the benefits of sprout mixes, as they also provide a wealth of nutrition. Remember to wash and chop these foods before serving to ensure their freshness and maximize their flavor.
- Cooked and finely chopped eggs, or commercially prepared egg food: offer an additional protein source, along with the advantage of being easily digestible. This enables the male to feed the female efficiently, who in turn can provide nourishment to the growing chicks. It is recommended to include the crushed eggshells when preparing the eggs, as this provides the hen with an additional calcium boost, aiding in the prevention of egg binding.
- Premium parakeet seed blend: Although seed is an essential component of a parakeet’s diet, it should not be relied upon as their primary food source since they often selectively consume only their preferred seeds. Opt for a blend that offers a diverse assortment of seeds and grains, or consider a hulled alternative such as Lafeber Nutri-Berries. This option not only supplies crucial omega-3 nutrients but also ensures a high-quality diet for your feathered companion.
- Ample supply of clean water: Contaminated water provides a favorable environment for the proliferation of detrimental bacteria. It is recommended to replace the water a minimum of three to four times daily or whenever it becomes visibly dirty.
Parakeet Mating
Once your pair has comfortably settled into their breeding habitat, it is generally just a matter of time before they commence breeding activities. If you have been conducting any training sessions with them prior to this stage, it is advisable to halt those temporarily. However, it remains crucial to continue providing them with essential care, including fresh food and water. Additionally, make sure to regularly empty their bottom tray to ensure cleanliness and remove any accumulated droppings.
Fertilization and Parakeet Egg Production
When the female is receptive to mating, she adopts a forward-leaning posture on the perch and elevates her tail slightly. The male counterpart aligns himself above her and initiates copulation by rubbing his vent against hers, facilitating the transfer of his sperm. Throughout the day, he may engage in multiple breeding sessions, while the female, in turn, commences laying an egg every alternate day. Typically, a clutch consists of approximately four to five eggs. For a visual demonstration of courtship behavior leading up to actual mating, please refer to the accompanying video below.
Incubation
The incubation period commences when the female assumes a snug position over the eggs. It is not uncommon for her to wait until she has laid two or three eggs before settling in. Nevertheless, this does not pose any issues as each egg is expected to hatch after roughly 18 days. In the scenario where the female promptly begins incubating after laying the first egg, subsequent eggs are likely to hatch at an interval of approximately every other day.
Assessing Fertility
Eggs may not always be fertile, but a method called “candling” can be employed approximately one week after the female begins incubation to determine their fertility. To conduct this process, gently lift each egg and position it in front of a powerful flashlight. By observing the egg, you can look for a yellow glow accompanied by red squiggly lines inside, indicating fertility. Conversely, if only a yellow glow is visible, it is highly likely that the egg is infertile. As the embryos progress, faint outlines may become discernible, but the eggs will gradually become more opaque, featuring a clear air pocket at one end as the chicks approach the hatching stage.
It is important to note that while checking for fertility can be informative, it is generally advisable to minimize disturbances to the expectant mother, as excessive disruptions could lead to nest abandonment.
Nurturing the Infant Parakeets
When it comes to raising parakeets after they hatch, you have two options. The first is to allow the parents to take care of them, while the second involves hand-feeding them yourself. It is important to note that parakeets tend to become more tame and comfortable with human interaction if they grow accustomed to being handled from a young age.
Parent-reared
Raising parakeet chicks by hand can prove challenging, requiring considerable expertise from breeders. Consequently, many breeders choose to entrust the task of rearing the chicks to their parents until the weaning stage, intervening solely to handle them on a daily basis once they reach the age of 14 days, with the aim of facilitating their taming process.
In this dynamic, it is typically the male parakeet that assumes the role of the primary feeder, as the female tends to leave the nest solely to attend to her own bodily needs and hydration. Subsequently, she takes charge of nourishing the chicks, although certain males may also partake in the feeding process.
Hand-Feeding
The process of hand-feeding entails removing the chicks from the nest box when they reach 21 days of age. To maintain their warmth until they develop a full set of feathers, it becomes necessary to transfer them to either a commercial incubator or a homemade one.
Once the chicks reach 21 days of age, it is crucial to feed them a specialized formula using a pipette or a small syringe every three to four hours, as their crops gradually empty. It is important to ensure that the food is served at a temperature ranging between 102 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature guarantees that the chicks’ crops are not burnt while maintaining an optimal level of warmth for proper digestion.
As the young birds mature, their feeding intervals will gradually lengthen, and their daily feeding frequency will decrease, particularly once they start consuming food independently.
Commencing the Weaning Process
The process of weaning usually initiates when the chicks reach the age of approximately five to six weeks. At this stage, they are either still being fed by their parents or are undergoing hand-feeding. It is crucial to introduce a diverse range of foods during this time, enabling the chicks to develop a preference for a nutritious diet rather than solely relying on seeds.
- Commence the process by presenting millet sprays to the fledglings, enabling them to develop their seed-cracking skills.
- Include a serving of pellet crumbles in the dish, ensuring they are bite-sized for the chicks to peck at.
- After introducing millet and pellet crumbles into the chicks’ diet, gradually incorporate small portions of finely diced or processed greens, vegetables, and fruits from the aforementioned list. As they grow, you may experiment with additional foods not mentioned here; however, the initial selection provided will ensure a solid foundation for their nutrition.
- Weaning is considered successful when the fledglings display sufficient independent eating habits, no longer relying on parental feeding, or when they refuse hand-feedings from caretakers. It is important to closely monitor the chicks even after weaning to ensure they maintain a healthy appetite. Occasionally, a chick may regress and require intermittent hand-feedings until it resumes independent feeding.
After the chicks have been fully weaned, it is essential to schedule an appointment with an avian veterinarian for a comprehensive well bird examination before they are ready to be placed in their new homes.
