Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / February 2004

Each bird is different.  Her job is to sit; his job is to encourage her
(sometimes rather forcefully) to sit.  It is not uncommon for the first time
to not go according to the book.

If this becomes a pattern and they are not successful at incubation, that is
the point at which they failed and you step in.  It is good they have bred,
she has laid and they haven't destroyed the eggs.

You will learn what you need to know when you candle the eggs.  Do this when
the last egg is about one week old.

If they are developing, the parents are incubating even though it doesn't
look like they are.

If they are DIS (dead in the shell) at least they have successfully bred.
If they are clear, put them back for a few more days and candle one last
time before discarding the eggs.

The pair may recycle in about three weeks, or may not.  With a little
practice and maturity, things could improve.

It has been my practice to take over at the point where they fail the second
time (the first time is an accident).  Those failure points for us are:

Egg destruction or rough treatment resulting in shell cracks
Failure to incubate correctly (too long off the eggs, poor turning habits)
Destruction or mutilation of chicks
Failure to feed chicks

My birds are usually very relieved to have me take the chicks just before
the oldest one's eyes are wide open.  The last one is usually pretty little
if there are 5 in the clutch.  The pyrrhura parents do want to be involved
in feeding the chicks after I've pulled them.  That works out fine for all
of us.

I can't wait to begin hearing those beautiful sounds of pre-spring love.
It's been a year since I've kissed up a batch of little green monsters.