Tips for successful lovebirds breeding

A healthy lovebird is a good breeder in near future. Hence it is mandatory to improve the health of your lovebirds in your cage. Here the few steps that will help you to maximize the breeding potentiality of your lovebirds.

Age of breeding

 As a lovebird’s breeder, you should know the age of your lovebird. The lovebird between 1 and 5 years old is suitable for breeding. The sex ratio should be 1 male for 5 females.

Nest boxes

Nest box plays an important role in breeding lovebirds. Nest box should be of 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches. The entrance hole in the nest box should be of 3 inches diameter.

Nutritional care

During breeding season, you should feed the lovebirds with fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens (Coriander leaves).  Supplementation with calcium is essential for the hens that are going to lay eggs.

Sexing of lovebirds

Do you know lovebirds are sexually monomorphic? It is very difficult to differentiate male and female as the species look alike. DNA sexing is the only way to ascertain the sex of the bird.

Laying of eggs

Female lovebirds will lay at least 3 to 7 eggs on alternate days.  In general, they will lay eggs after 5-7 days of mating.

Period of Incubation

Lovebirds will incubate the eggs for 23 days. You should calculate the days of incubation start from the day on which the hen sits on the egg continuously

Hatchling care

Both sexes will take part in hatchling rising by feeding the chicks daily. Extra feed such as green food and soaked seeds (millets) are of best choice. In general chicks will come out of the nest box at the age of six weeks. No chicks will remain in the nest box after eight weeks of age. The young ones will make use of nest box for night stay for two more weeks. You should keep in mind that once the young one learned to feed independently, it should be move on to another cage, otherwise the male will try to kill the offspring.