Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets Parakeet Breeding Question Nesting box

hi everyone....it's been a long time since I posted anything, but I come here and read everyday. Thank you everyone who's experienced and post advises.

now I know all the things to watch out for before and after putting in the nesting box, and the responsibility.

My question is I put in the nesting box in the summer, when I knew they are not ready for breeding, but I wanted to put it in just to make them feel like at home. Now they are use to the box, the box is secured in the top corner of the cage. I can't lift the lid unless I unscrew it from the twist ties. I can't see in it cuz it's too dark. and i don't want to scare the keet by taking a pic. i dont know if she has laid any eggs. today I saw Forest(Male) on top of Midnight (female). past couple of days I noticed Midnight has been going in the box trying to make the edges of the hole smoother. and Sky (the other Male) has been sitting out and doing the same. He's about 2 yrs older than Midnight and 1 yrs older than Forest. but midnight and forest are about the same age. So I thought Sky and midnight would be shacking up but she actually put herself low so Forest can climb on top and start, that's the first time I have ever seen my keets do. I know sometimes female starts laying eggs when she's ready, I haven't seen any at the bottom of the cage. I just want to know if there are any in the nesting box so I can prepare myself. I dont want to disturb them, cuz I do want babies. she's now starting to stay in the box way longer then she use to, she pops out if she thinks I am around. I don't want her to get scared and be stuck with the egg. I am confused how would you suggest I take a look in the box, to see if she's laid eggs?

one last thing I put the shredded paper in but they keep taking them out and I see it collecting at the bottom of the cage so I stopped putting it. there's nothing at the bottom of the box now...should I put something else maybe? they love the grass in the cup. should I cut that and put that in there, they can eat and use it for cushion as well??? please i know this is a long one...but get back to me as soon as possible

in this picture below Midnight is inside the box...she's Dark gray with white head. and patches of little whites here and there on her feathers. so that makes it more difficult to see.

Thank you

You might want to try to attach the box to the outside of their cage. If you have breeder doors, then attach it there, if not, you can cut a few of the cage bars and attach the box on the outside that way. It's actually best to attach your box to the outside so you can not only monitor the eggs and babies' progress, but it makes for easier cleaning of the box, which needs to be done daily for eggs and a few times a day when you have babies. Cleaniliness of the box if of key importance. A dirty box can lead to illnesses in chicks.

Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and you can stick yur hand in to feel fr eggs, just be slow and gentle so you don't accidently crack an egg if they're in there. When changing your nesting material handle the eggs gently, avoiding rolling them about too much, especially at the beginning of incubation, when the embryo is at it's most delicate.

Parakeets will breed year round if the conditions are right, but you shouldn't allow your keets to have more than a couple clutches a year, fertile or not, to avoid pulling the health of your female down to a life threatening point. You may need to place your pair in seperate cages from one another to avoid any more clutches.

Make sure to provide extra nutrients to your breeding pair in the form of a cuttlebone for calcium, eggs or bits of shredded chicken for protien, and lots of fresh green veggies for vitamins A, K, C, and folic acid. Also provide fresh water at all times.

You can line the box with folded paper towels and aspen or pine shavings, NO CEDAR! It's easier to clean the box using the materials, paper tends to become sticky and cruddy when pooed on, paper towels absorb so much better.

Good luck to you!

Thanks so much jessica, I switched the box to the outside of the cage and cut a few bars to make space for the hole, but now there's another problem, I have three females and 2 males, now that I have switched the box two of my females (Midnight and Yolkie) are fighting over who gets to go in. and I don't mean just a beak fight, they are fighting and biting each other and wrestling while flying and dropping down to the bottom of the cage, really hard, I am scared for them I don't want them to get hurt. What should I do?? Should I get two boxes?? just so they can calm down??

You should always have a nest box for each female of breeding age when breeding in a colony situation, that way you avoid fights. Place each box in different areas of the cage but at the same height so that none of the boxes are seen as more of a prize than the others. Contrary to what most people will say, you can breed successfully in a colony situation as long as everything is just so, like nest boxes available to each pair, enough food and water dishes, and placing fresh foods in several locations to avoid fighting during meal times. If fights continue then your only option will be to seperate everyone, unfortunately, but that's better than injuries or even deaths amongst your flock.

I just noticed the one female fighting is the one that doesn't get along with the male keets. She just wants to hog the hole. the other pairs that are mating, have given up and let her sit in front of the hole.

I can put two boxes, but I don't want that many babies. and plus it's too much responsibility. I am going to wait a day or two to see if he fighting has stopped. if so then I am not going to bother with the second box. just hope everything works well

If you have 2 breeding age females it is your responsilityy to provide either enough nest boxes to accomodate them, or to seperate them, it is your choice. If they are fighting then you should seperate them.

Thanks I think I have to buy another nesting box. I can't stand them fighting with each other, I know if they wont be happy I wont get to see ANY babies. so might as well make them Happy.

Thanks alot Jess I greatly appreciate your input.

Sometimes you just have 2 very dominant females and neither will concede to the either, so you have to seperate them, even if you provide enought boxes, or even extras so they can choose.

You're welcome, glad to help out. Good luck to you!

Well I bought the box yesterday, and now that they are happy, my Midnight laid her first egg. I am soo happy. I was wondering do they lay all the eggs in one day or they are days apart???

There is usually a day apart between eggs, from what I've read. I might be wrong.