Signs of Pregnancy in a Parakeet

Parakeets do not get pregnant, technically. According to Practical Pet Care, when parakeets mate, the eggs are fertilized in the female's oviduct, and she lays her eggs within two days of that mating, typically. A female parakeet displays few symptoms when ready to lay eggs, but if your female has already mated with a male, there are a few tell-tale behaviors to look for.

  1. Pushing or Straining

    • If you notice your parakeet standing on the bottom of the cage and pushing, then you should watch for eggs soon after. However, if she is straining like this for more than a few hours, she may be having difficulty laying the egg. Practical Pet Care advises that you seek help from a veterinarian immediately if you see this behavior continue for more than a couple of days.

    Nesting

    • When a parakeet has mated and is ready to lay eggs, she will use items in her cage to prepare a nest for it. If you see your parakeet doing this, it is likely she will soon lay an egg.

    Larger Droppings

    • An egg in the oviduct leaves less room for your parakeet to pass droppings. If your parakeet is leaving droppings less frequently, then pay attention to the size of the droppings. If she is ready to lay you may notice that she strains a lot and the droppings are a great deal larger than normal. They will continue to get larger the closer she is to laying her egg. If your parakeet leaves these larger droppings for more than a few days and doesn't lay an egg, it is likely she is experiencing problems passing the egg and needs to see a vet.

    Physical Symptoms

    • According to Practical Pet Care, your parakeet will not show a lot of physical symptoms. The period between mating and laying an egg is so short that your bird will not gain visible weight. You may notice that her vent (under her tail feathers) looks swollen. This means that she is likely ready to lay. If the vent remains swollen for more than a couple of days, then she is unable to pass it and needs to see a vet.

    When to See a Vet

    • Practical Pet Care warns that no one except experienced breeders should breed parakeets at home. A host of things can go wrong, and your parakeet could die.

      If your parakeet has mated and is showing any of these behaviors for more than a couple of days without laying eggs, then she is probably experiencing a problem called egg binding. This is a blockage, and she is not able to pass or lay the egg. You should consult a vet even if you're unsure whether she's mated with a male.