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Parakeets-Breeding

two Parakeet parrots

Dreaming of breeding your own batch of baby parakeets? It’s not as hard as you think. You just need a big cage, a nesting box, and a quiet room (preferably kept at the temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

The nesting boxes are usually made of wood, and can be bought from pet stores or specialty shops. Be sure to get the right size, though: at least 8.5 inches high, 6.5 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep. There should also be a hole, usually measuring 1.5 inches in diameter, with a stick or perch placed right underneath it. Attach a flip top opening to the hole so you can give the family privacy but still be able to peek inside at the babies.

You can attach the nesting box to the cage, or get a bigger cage and place the box inside it. However, keep the box at a safe height. You want to avoid any risks of the babies accidentally falling out and getting killed. However, you still need to keep it high enough to keep the parakeet parents happy. If they don’t like the location of the nest, they simply won’t breed.

You also need, naturally, a pair of parakeets. The male (also called the cock) must be 10 months old, while the female (or the hen) must be at least 12 months old.

Place the two birds in one cage. With luck, they will begin courting. The male will start combing his mate’s head feathers with his beak (called preening), and then woo her with a series of amusing dances. He may also bob his head up and down, usually a sign of excitement—or in this case, thrill at finding a partner.

Once the pair mates, the female will take care of building the nest from her own feathers (so don’t throw away any you find at the floor of the cage!). The male’s in charge of finding food for both of them, so give them an abundant supply of pellets and seeds.

Parakeets will lay about one egg a day for 3 to 5 days. If successfully fertilized, the eggs will hatch in 18 days. While waiting, keep the room quiet and avoid disturbing the mother. Don’t touch the box unless you have to clean it. Some agitated parakeets can abandon nests, or attack anyone who “threatens” her clutch.

After hatching, the baby parakeets need about a month before they are ready to abandon the nest.