If you love birds, what could be more perfect than learning out to breed them? Here’s everything you need to know about parakeet breeding.
What do I need to know before I attempt parakeet breeding?
Parakeet breeding can be a great and fulfilling job or hobby, but raising baby birds is also quite difficult and a huge commitment. You should do lots of research and make sure you’re willing to commit the time, energy and money before you start breeding any birds.
Parakeets should be at least a year old before you even considering breeding. Before attempting to breed your parakeets, you should get them checked out by your veterinarian to ensure the birds are healthy and able to mate successfully. The male and female birds should have at least six months to bond before parakeet breeding, but should have seperate cages in case they don’t get along.
Before parakeet breeding, you need to supply your birds with a proper and healthy diet. You should make sure your birds, especially the female, are getting lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. Since parakeets are so small, you should chop up fresh greens and shred carrots before placing the vegetables in the cage. You can also feed your birds tiny pieces of well-cooked egg and chicken for protein. Like with most animals, there should always be adequate water available for the birds, both to drink and to bathe in. Be sure to give your parakeets fresh food and water everyday.
What will the babies be like?
Once the eggs are layed, you may think the toughest part of parakeet breeding is over, but, unfortunately, you’re wrong. The amount of eggs a female parakeet lays is refered to as a “clutch.” There are usually around four to six eggs in a clutch, and the female will lay one everyother day after she lays her first. In about three to four weeks, the eggs should hatch. If you want your parakeets to be tame, handle each bird for at least ten minutes each day. If a chick should die for any reason be sure to remeove it immediately from the cage. Dead babies can affect the health of your other birds. Once the babies have all their feather and can feed themselves, you should have a large cage separate from their parents to put them.
What are some breeder products I can use?
The most important product for parakeet breeding is a nest box where the female can lay her eggs. There are a variety of different types of nest boxes. The most common is inserted directly into the cage and has a hinged top that opens and closes. The best kind for parakeet breeding, however, should attach to the outside of the breeding cage. These nest boxes usually have a door that slides open on the side for easy access. Other parakeet breeding products include a cuttle bone and sepearate perches for both the male and female.
