Lovebird Breeding Basics

Health Requirements: To breed successfully, each breeding Lovebird should be healthy, normal and between one and five years of age.

Nesting Requirements: Lovebirds need a nest box in which to lay their eggs. The proper size for a Lovebird is about 10"x8"x8", with an entrance hole of about 3 inches in diameter. Proper nesting material, such as shredded paper, “Khajur Patar Jaru” should also be provided.

Nutritional Requirements: Lovebirds should be fed a varied diet consisting of seeds, Canary , Millet,Dried paddy, Sunflower seed,Cuttle bone, pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Breeding age hens should be placed on a calcium supplement (Vitamin – vitamin Calcium – calgophos, Ad3e – vimeral DP) to counteract the nutrients that they lose during egg-laying.

Egg Laying: Female Lovebirds will lay their eggs between 5 - 12 days after mating. Many will lay an egg every other day until they have all been laid. Each clutch usually contains between 3 to 6 eggs.

Incubation Time: On average, Lovebirds incubate their eggs for about 23 days. This can vary by a couple of days in either direction. When attempting to calculate future hatch dates, always count forward from the day that you notice the hen begin to sit on the eggs. Sometimes they won't sit until all the eggs of a clutch have been laid, and they all need equal incubation time!

Hatchling Care and Weaning:

Most breeders will allow the hen to feed the babies from hatching to the age of 2 or 3 weeks. some Lovebirds need to be handfeed until they are between 6 and 8 weeks old, when you can begin to wean them onto millet, soft pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables.