firefish Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 Last night I found out that my birds have laid 2 eggs. Amber looks to be playing the mum role as she stays near the nest, Jade is out in the cage like normal. But should Amber be sitting on the eggs at all times, or is it ok for her to leave a bit? When I put the breeding box in I put some cotton breeding material in, the birds took about half out so there's not that much around them. I've never had birds breed before, so any advice would be greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 haven't used cotton breeding material on love birds before, willow or fruit tree branches and they strip the bark and leaves off or they will shred up newspaper she may not sit properly the first time they can lay up to 6 eggs if disturbed they can come off the nest too often usually start sitting from day one and lay on every second or third day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 are you sure you have 1 male? could be 2 females. are they still friendly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 more than 6 eggs will be 2 fems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 I used fresh broom cuttings, they help keep the nest moist as well. Keep a bowl of water handy and they will bath in it if the nest needs more moisture. Leave room on top of the nest box, that is usually where they mate and that will be a chance to see if you have a male. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 dont use anything with hook beaks They will strip anything they need for them selves A dry bowl from timber is all they need. Most hook beaks dont start sitting full time until they have finished laying but the female will hang about in the box which keep the temp up a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I had 9 aviaries full of breeding lovebirds at one time and they will build their own nests if you chuck bits of broom on the floor of the aviery. I have tried small lengths of weeping willow as well but the broom seemed to be prefered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I had only 5 specie of love birds but enjoyd them for sure Mainly Brendas now with Cockatiels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I just got home and Amber is in the nest. They've got a branch in there which they don't strip, they've been pulling apart all the rope in the cage recently. P44: I have no idea if Jade is a boy or a girl. But when mating Jade looks like a boy :lol: Amber only tolerates sitting on me, she was parent raised, but Jade who was hand raised has bites lots more and much harder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 update: Its been 2 weeks since i noticed the eggs (there are 3 of them) Amber is being very diligent - she comes out for only a min at a time, to get something for the nest or some food. while she was out i took the oppourtunity to take a quick picture They might be hatching out around next weekend If they do, is there anything i need to do differently? Or any different food to put in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 Ngaw!!! Dare you to put your finger there! :lol: (Don't do that) Kaytee hand rearing formula is the best on the market. Feed the parents well too. What is the temp like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 just keep feeding the parents their seed, fruit and veges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 Their cage temp is 18 degrees in the day,(can also be around 20). Not sure in the night (heat pump isn't on) Should I get the kaytee formula and put it in a container for the parents to use, or only get it if i hand rear them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 23, 2010 Report Share Posted October 23, 2010 no, its only if you hand rear them and are giving the parents a helping hand (or wing) :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 One baby in the nest :bounce: (hopefully 2 more to go!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trace&steve Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 oh yay exciting photos please and congrats to you :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Father: Mother: And Baby (I don't want to disturb them much, so this was the best I could get) And fingers crossed for #2 tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amethyst Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Awww, how cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trace&steve Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 oh wow thats so cute thanx for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Congratulations! You are doing well. The nest looks good and should provide enough structure to prevent splay legged chicks. Keep up the good food to the parents. In addition to their normal diet, you can also feed mashed/blended hard boiled egg (including the shell), sprouted seeds and sprouted wheat (wheat grass), and mealworms. You can also add a little bit of hand rearing formula to the mashed hard boiled egg and this can help to prevent nutrient deficiency in the chicks. The parents will feed the chicks as much variety as they can but they are limited to what is available in the cage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 Thanks for that information Jennifer. They already get fd mealworms, and fd crickets. Do I need to start thinking about a second cage for the baby once its fledged? Or might the parents be happy having their baby with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 they are a family orientated bird that likes a colony situation.Cage size could become an issue rather quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted October 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 that sounds hopeful. their cage is 84 L x 40 W x 89 H (cm) If all 3 hatch and survive then i'll definitly need a larger cage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 31, 2010 Report Share Posted October 31, 2010 awww! The baby is so cute and helpless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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