Things You'll Need
Breeding cage
Natural wood perches
Full-spectrum lighting
Timer
Nest box
Wood shavings
Calcium supplement
Warnings
Give your breeding birds an ample break time in between clutches of eggs. Remove the nest box and allow the birds time to rest and recoup before encouraging them to breed again. Laying multiple clutches of eggs at a time can cause health problems for both the male and female.
Tips
Some birds are extremely picky when it comes to egg laying. If your birds are younger birds, it may take longer for them to exhibit proper breeding behaviors.
Young birds may destroy the eggs when they are first laid. Consider the first clutch of eggs to be a trial run and don't get your hopes up that they will hatch. The birds will have a higher rate of success with the second clutch of eggs.
Lovebirds are small, brightly colored parrots that are popular in the avian pet trade. There are many different species and mutations of lovebirds, making them a popular bird for beginner and intermediate breeders. Breeding lovebirds and encouraging them to lay eggs can be a challenge. Providing the birds with the right environment, including lighting, cage type, diet, perches and nest box, is key in the breeding process.
How to Make Lovebirds Lay Eggs
Set up the breeding cage. Place wooden perches strategically around the cage to allow room for the lovebirds to play and fly.
Set-up and install full spectrum lighting. Position the lights no more then 1 foot above the breeding cage. Plug the timer into the light and set the timer to allow the lovebirds a minimum of ten hours of darkness each night. Regulating your birds' light schedule can increase breeding behaviors.
Install the nest box onto the cage. Place in an area that you can check the box periodically to monitor for any eggs that are laid. Place clean wood shavings into the nest box to create about 1 inch of lining. The love birds will kick some of these shavings out and arrange them to their liking when they are nesting.
Consider placing the pair of lovebirds you wish to breed into a room with other lovebird pairs. Lovebirds can be encouraged by the sound of other breeding lovebirds in the room.
Change the lovebirds' diet. Add a calcium supplement to your breeding birds' diet. Egg laying can drain your female of calcium, so you want to replace that calcium using an artificial or natural supplement. Additionally, serving warm and cooked foods can encourage nesting behaviors.
References
Tips
- Some birds are extremely picky when it comes to egg laying. If your birds are younger birds, it may take longer for them to exhibit proper breeding behaviors.
- Young birds may destroy the eggs when they are first laid. Consider the first clutch of eggs to be a trial run and don't get your hopes up that they will hatch. The birds will have a higher rate of success with the second clutch of eggs.
Warnings
- Give your breeding birds an ample break time in between clutches of eggs. Remove the nest box and allow the birds time to rest and recoup before encouraging them to breed again. Laying multiple clutches of eggs at a time can cause health problems for both the male and female.
