Eclectus Fertile Parrot Eggs

Eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) are known for their vibrant plumage and distinct sexual dimorphism, with males being bright green and females displaying red and purple feathers. When it comes to their breeding and egg-laying habits, here’s an overview:

 Breeding Behavior
–Sexual Maturity: Eclectus parrots typically reach sexual maturity around 2-5 years of age.
– Breeding Season: In the wild, breeding can be influenced by the availability of food and environmental conditions, but in captivity, they can breed year-round.

 Nesting
– Nest Sites: In the wild, Eclectus parrots nest in tree cavities. In captivity, providing a suitable nesting box is crucial. The box should be spacious enough for the female to move comfortably and deep enough to provide a sense of security.

Eggs
– Clutch Size: Eclectus parrots usually lay between 2 to 3 eggs per clutch.
– Egg Appearance: The eggs are white and relatively round, similar to other parrot species.
– Incubation Period: The incubation period for Eclectus parrot eggs is about 26-28 days. The female typically incubates the eggs, rarely leaving the nest, while the male provides food.

Egg Care
– Humidity and Temperature: Maintaining appropriate humidity and temperature levels is essential for successful incubation. In captivity, an incubator set at around 99.5°F (37.5°C) with a humidity level of about 55-60% is recommended.
– Turning the Eggs: If using an incubator, eggs should be gently turned several times a day to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell.

Hatching
– Pipping: As hatching time approaches, the chick will start to pip, or break through the eggshell. This process can take several hours to a day.
– Hatchlings: Once hatched, the chicks are altricial, meaning they are born blind, featherless, and completely dependent on their parents for warmth and feeding.

Post-Hatching Care
– Feeding: In captivity, if hand-raising, it’s important to feed the chicks a specialized formula designed for parrot chicks. Feeding intervals are frequent, often every 2-3 hours initially.
– Weaning: Chicks begin to wean at around 12 weeks old but may take longer depending on individual development.

Health and Monitoring
– Regular Checks:Regular monitoring for signs of health issues is crucial. This includes checking for proper growth, signs of infections, or developmental abnormalities.
– Vet Visits: Regular visits to an avian vet can help ensure the chicks are developing properly and address any health concerns promptly.

By understanding and providing the proper care for Eclectus parrot eggs and chicks, breeders can help ensure the successful hatching and healthy development of these beautiful birds.

With our recent move to acreage we have been able to implement a long-standing desire of mine to successfully set up large aviaries and keep a number of pairs of large Macaws. Previous attempts at keeping birds has failed due to high levels of noise and re-location. We have set up large aviaries which have both indoor & outdoor access which allows us to manage weather extremes and the high noise levels that comes with keeping large parrots. The custom modified shed that we have designed provides the backdrop for four large aviaries housing all pairs of Macaws. Eight pairs of Blue & Gold Macaws including the jaw dropping ‘Opaline’ mutation with the interesting sex-linked mode of inheritance when considering replication & the straight forward recessive ‘Lutino’ mutation. Over the coming years we hope to replicate and further the viability of these colours which are still in their infancy in the bird hobby. Finally, we have a pair of the large & impressive Green Wing Macaws which have amazing personalities