How to Breed Parakeet Birds

Check the birds are healthy. Both parakeets should be over 1 year old, and should be unrelated. They should also be checked for deformities or defects. Usually, these are quite obvious, although vets will be able to assess the health of your parakeets easily.

Introduce the birds slowly. Allow them to meet and bond before you expect them to breed. Some birds may be defensive, or hide from other parakeets. Others may ignore the new bird, or investigate it straight away.

Purchase a wooden nest box from a pet store. This should come with fittings which attach it to the outside of the cage. Good nest boxes come with a wooden insert in the bottom, which prevents splayed legs.

Pad the next box with unscented pine shavings. These should cover the bottom of the box, including the insert.

Attach the next box to the outside of the cage. Make sure it is securely attached and does not move when attached.

Modify the biggest cage, so both birds can live in it. The cage needs to be a minimum of 24 inches wide by 16 inches deep by 16 inches tall. Make the cage as big as possibly, as this will give the babies more room when they begin to move and learn to fly. Make sure you have a variety of perches and at least two water bottles. You will also need a large feeder, which should be constantly accessible.

Provide cuttlefish, an iodine salt spool and a mineral block. These will provide essential nutrients throughout pregnancy and motherhood. You can also purchase squares of soft wood, which many expectant parakeets gnaw on. Only purchase this from reputable pet shops, as the wood needs to be safe for birds.

Monitor conditions. Parakeets are most likely to breed in the winter months, from October to March. They prefer temperatures at around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. The cage should be positioned somewhere where there is low humidity, as this will help the eggs to survive.

Provide a mix of foods for the expectant pair. A normal parakeet seed mix should be the base diet, supplemented with parakeet pellets and organic greens such as dandelions and shredded carrot. They can also be offered small pieces of cooked chicken as a treat to boost protein levels through breeding.

Set a schedule. The birds should have 12 hours in a well-lit area, although not direct sunlight, and 12 hours of darkness. Establish a routine of covering the birds at night, and uncovering them in the morning. This schedule will settle the birds. Try to use sunlight as an indicator, covering the birds at sundown and uncovering them at first light.

Clean the cage once a week at a regular time, using disinfectant safe for use with birds. Change the food and water every day, ensuring there is always food and water on offer for the parakeets if they want it. Try not to disturb the couple more then necessary.

Observe the pair carefully. When the female is ready to lay, it will lay approximately every other day, until it has produced a clutch of around six eggs. There can be more or less eggs, so watch carefully. Note down when each egg is laid. Eggs hatch approximately 17 to 20 days after being laid.

Check the nest boxes regularly. The female parakeet will leave the box to toilet and feed regularly, so use this opportunity to check that the eggs look okay. Immediately remove any dead chicks, or pieces of shell, as these can decay and spread infection to the healthy eggs.