Lovebirds' Egg-Laying Process: A Personal Experience

Updated on June 3, 2019

Sakina loves birds. She had two IRN parrots and two budgies. Now she has two lovebirds, one of which is a peach-faced male she hand-raised.

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In this article, the following common questions and topics about egg-laying in lovebirds will be addressed in detail.

When Will a Female Lovebird Lay an Egg?
How Many Eggs Will a Female Lovebird Lay?
Signs of a Pregnant Lovebird
Finding a Suitable Nest Box
Nesting Materials for Lovebirds
Egg-Binding in Lovebirds
Calcium Supply for Your Lovebirds (Table)
A Healthy Recipe for Lovebirds
Infertility in Lovebirds
What are the Causes of Infertility?

When Will a Female Lovebird Lay an Egg?

Many novice breeders have this question in their minds at some point in time. A female lovebird will lay an egg with or without a mate when she is around 9-12 months of age. Of course, without a mate, the eggs laid will be infertile. Sometimes people end up buying two females or two males. Housing them together may lead to a clutch of infertile eggs in the former case, while no eggs in the latter. When mating occurs between a true lovebird pair (male and female), the eggs laid will be fertile though infertile eggs are possible too, as it is in the case of my pets Mumu and Lulu.

How Many Eggs Will a Female Lovebird Lay?

Eggs will be laid within 7-10 days after mating. In my case, Lulu gave an egg exactly a week later, on October 6th, 2016. Interestingly, we had no idea that she was pregnant! Usually, a hen (female lovebird) lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs, in a gap of 1-2 days. She then broods over the eggs, usually after laying the whole clutch. The incubation period is between 21-23 days, after which the chicks are hatched. There may be exceptions too. The chicks may even hatch out by the 24th or 25th day. Make sure you count the days, so that you can approximately calculate the hatching date.

Lulu had laid 4 eggs continuously every alternate day. Then after a gap of 7-10 days, she had laid 5 more eggs.

Signs of a Pregnant Lovebird

• She walks slowly

• She is unable to fly/flies with difficulty

• She shows slight weight gain

• Her body shows a clear "baby bump"

• She looks tired

• She sleeps a lot, fluffing her feathers

• The male feeds her rigorously

• She may bob her tail

My Female Lovebird Lulu Laid Her First Egg

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Lulu, my female lovebird laid an egg on 6th October 2016.

Mumu my male lovebird is going to see the egg laid for the first time. He wagged his tail out of happiness.

Finding a Suitable Nest Box

A nest box is an essential component in lovebird breeding. Upon learning that Lulu laid an egg, we immediately bought a nest box. The pet owner had mistakenly given a round nest made out of steel, which was actually meant for canaries. Surfing the net, I realized that lovebirds need wooden nest boxes. The exchange was made, and we bought a small nest box/English budgie nest, which my lovebirds readily accepted. Remember to provide your pets with nesting materials.

Placing the Nest Box

The nest box can be placed outside the cage, attaching it to the cage wall.
Attach the nest box inside (with S-Shaped hooks)

In my opinion, placing the nest box inside is better. My pets love to sit inside the box together, for warmth. They doze off too inside it sometimes; as the temperature here is cold. However, you can place it according to your wish.

(P.S. You can place the nest box wherever you want, according to your pet's comfort level. There is no hard and fast rule for that!)

Lovebird Nest Box

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We bought a canary nest assuming it to be a lovebird nest before.

Lovebird Eggs

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Picture showing my lovebird Lulu's eggs laid in her nest box.

Nesting Materials for Lovebirds

Lovebirds require nesting materials to make their nests. These are required to keep humidity in the nest, as it is essential for egg laying. Both males and females make long strips of whatever material is available, carrying them in the nest box. While the female tucks them in her wings and tail, the male tries to do so, though remains unsuccessful. However, there can be exceptions (Mumu has mastered the ability of shredding paper and tucking it in his tail)!

You could buy nesting materials from a local pet shop or provide the following:

What Can Be Included in Nesting Materials?

Palm leaves (Lulu simply adores these)
Paper towels
Dried grass
Lovebird's own feathers (lost ones)
Leaves of non-poisonous plants (lovebird safe)

Lulu Shredding Palm Leaves

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Lulu, my female lovebird loves to shred palm leaves and tuck them in her tail. It is the perfect nesting material for her.

Shredding has been an all time favorite activity of my lovebird Lulu. She can do that anytime and every time.

My Male Lovebird Mumu Has Mastered Nesting Behavior!

Egg-Binding in Lovebirds

The most common egg-laying problem in lovebirds is egg-binding. This means that your bird is unable to pass an egg easily. This can be fatal to your bird. A vet must be consulted immediately when this occurs. If a vet cannot be consulted, you could do a few things to help your bird expel the egg.

In my case, Lulu had passed 9 eggs easily. The 10th, 11th, and 12th egg had been passed with difficulty, in a gap of 5-7 days. She didn't keep well, started vomiting, and slept a lot. She stayed like this for one day. The next day her egg would be passed, and she would be normal and active again.

Signs of Egg-Binding

Straining
Fluffed feathers
Sitting at the bottom of the cage
Tail bobbing
Difficulty in breathing
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Large droppings/Minimal droppings
Sleeping a lot (in Lulu's case)
Vomiting (in Lulu's case)
Fever (in Lulu's case)

Curing Egg-Binding at Home

Place the bird on a warm towel (heat allows the dilation of muscles, thus helping in passing the egg.)
Place the bird in a bowl of warm water. Your bird is likely to pass the egg in water.
Giving calcium supply (crushed egg shells and small pieces of egg-white).
If your female bird is not eating, feed the male with the calcium supply mentioned above.
Give plenty of rest without any disturbance.
Keep the cage covered in a blanket for warmth.
Keep the cage clean. Your bird is likely to pass large droppings which may wet the cage floor, making it colder.

Using Egg as a Quick Calcium Supply for Lovebirds

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Boil an egg. Crush egg shell and egg white into small pieces. Provide this to your lovebirds as it is a rich source of calcium. This helps a lot for egg-bound females too.

Grind egg shell into a powdery form and sprinkle on your lovebird's food bowl.

If your pets like to chew, crush the shells as small pieces as shown. It's up to you!

Crushed egg shells sprinkled on seeds eaten by lovebirds.

Foods With Calcium for Your Lovebirds

Vegetables	Fruits	Others
Brocoli	Kiwi	Egg Shell
Cabbage	Dried Fig	Egg-White
Celery	Orange	Sunlight
Collard greens	Apricot	UV Light
Chinese cabbage		Cuttle bone
Kale		Mineral Block
Aragula
Turnip greens
Mustard greens
Spinach

The following table shows the different sources of calcium , which can be provided to your pets. Calcium is essential for healthy bones, proper feather growth and overall health of birds.

A Healthy Recipe for Lovebirds

Boil 4-5 spinach leaves and an egg.
Dry the spinach leaves in the sun and crush them.
Crush some of the egg shell into tiny pieces/powdery form and add to it.
Take some egg yolk and egg-white too.
Take fresh corn and dry them till they are hardened. Mash them into tiny bits and add to the mixture.
Toss all of them and serve it fresh to your pet/pets. Either sprinkle it over their food bowl or give it separately. It solves weakness and strengthens your bird.

Infertility in Lovebirds

Infertility may be caused in a lovebird hen, leaving the eggs empty/without chicks. This is in the case of my bird Lulu. Till now she has laid 12 eggs in total, but there aren't any chicks hatched. She sat on all of them for a while, but her brooding wasn't continuous. It is very saddening yes, I had always wished to see what color would be inherited by their chicks. My male lovebird Mumu is a medium-green heavy pied peach-faced while the female Lulu is a white-faced violet roseicollis peach-faced lovebird.

A Clutch of Infertile Eggs

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We had placed Lulu's eggs in this small wooden square box, removing all of them from her nest box. This was done to check if Lulu sits on her eggs or not. I believe that a mother knows her eggs are not fertile, so she didn't even sit on them.

Take an egg after it has been laid for a week and put it under flashlight. If the egg shows red veins, it means the chick is growing. If the eggs appear translucent or "empty" it means it is infertile. Sadly, all eggs were infertile.

What Are the Causes of Infertility?

Nutritional Factor: If the hen lacks minerals and calcium, her eggs will remain infertile. A healthy diet with all the essential minerals and calcium may help in reducing infertility.
Loose Perches: Ensure that the perches are fixed firmly. The hen needs support to carry the male on her back. If the perches are loose, mating won't happen properly.
Mutation: If your bird is a mutation, she may or may not be infertile.
Age: If your bird is too young or too old, the eggs may remain infertile.
Environmental Factors: There should be enough humidity for successful mating. Heaters and humidifiers may aid in creating such an atmosphere. A nest box is also very essential for mating.

Have you Ever Seen a Chick Hatching?

Conclusion

Lovebirds are a beautiful species and their reproduction and egg-laying process a wonder of nature. Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to see the hatching of my pets's chicks. Nevertheless, I still hope that one day I might see their babies, hopefully...

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question:
I have a female lovebird who lays eggs. The eggs are fertile but the chicks are not able to break the eggs and die inside. Why is this?
Answer:
This is a common issue in lovebirds. Survival is difficult, so the probability of hatching is less in most cases.
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Question:
It’s almost a month why are my lovebirds' eggs not hatching?
Answer:
Your bird might be younger than one year of age, might not be mated well, or may be infertile. Please throw those eggs away. The hatching period is 21-25 days.
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Question:
How can I tell if a lovebird is male or female?
Answer:
It's really hard to distinguish between them, but a female lovebird is perched with wide legs and lays eggs. Females shred paper into strips and put them in their backs.
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Question:
My lovebirds are six months old according to the shopkeepers. We took them in as family pets but they had a natural affair in their cage. What can I do and how is this possible?
Answer:
A lovebird of six months of age is mature enough to find a mate of his/her own. There's nothing to worry about.
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Question:
I have kept a pot instead of a box. Will my lovebird's thrive in a pot or do I have to replace it with a nest box?
Answer:
If your birds are comfortable with the pot and the female is laying eggs in it, then it's fine. If they're not comfortable, please keep a nest box for them.
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Question:
My lovebird has laid four eggs and in that, one egg has hatched. How do I increase the hatching rate? Why are many of the eggs not hatching?
Answer:
There is no way to increase the hatching rate. The natural process works on its on way.
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Question:
My lovebird laid eggs four times, but she broke them herself. What needs to be done?
Answer:
Your lovebird must know that these eggs don't contain chicks. That is why she breaks them herself.
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Question:
Can I feed Cerelac to my baby lovebirds?
Answer:
Not Cerelac for humans, but you can feed them a special formula. It will be available in a local pet store.
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Question:
My lovebird laid only one egg. Will she lay more?
Answer:
The mother lovebird will lay more eggs every alternate day. She will sit on them and provide them warmth.
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Question:
Is it bad to take my lovebird's eggs if I'm not able to take care of more babies?
Answer:
It would be bad if your lovebird is too attached to the eggs. Do you find her sitting on them just after they are laid?
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Question:
Does the male African lovebird keep the egg for incubation?
Answer:
No, only the females incubate the egg.
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Question:
My female lovebird is biting her male mate until blood comes out, so I gave the male to my aunt and he's happy. But the female won't eat, and she has two eggs. Why is she not eating?
Answer:
She is not eating because she is depressed. Please get her mate back immediately and place him in another cage next to the female's cage.
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Question:
My birds have mated over month ago, but no eggs were laid. Why is this?
Answer:
Your female lovebird might not be old enough to breed yet.
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Question:
My budgie laid only one egg before 7 days and is not sitting on it. Should I remove it? Can I try to incubate it myself? But how?
Answer:
It either means she knows it's infertile or she doesn't want to sit on it. You can incubate it by placing it in an incubator (you can buy it in a local pet store).
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Question:
My lovebird throws out all nesting materials. I don't know if it's anger or he/she doesn't like the materials. I use wood scrap from the carpenter. What should I do? My other bird is okay with it.
Answer:
Your bird might be playing with the materials. Do you find him/her digging into it? If that's the case, then this is just playing around. So, the materials come out of the cage. If not, please replace the wood shavings and use hay instead.
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Question:
If the egg gets spoilt, will the bird sit on the egg?
Answer:
It depends on the bird.
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Question:
Female lovebirds not willing to share the nest to lay eggs. What should I do?
Answer:
Include a separate nest.
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Question:
What should I do if the Lovebird's egg is covered in feces?
Answer:
Please wash the egg under...
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Question:
My female Lovebird always seems to be sitting inside the nest and she doesn't seem to come out for even food and there is a newborn, can I put little food inside the nest itself?
Answer:
No, it won't be healthy to keep food inside the nest box (it will get spoilt quickly and it is not good for the birds). Is the male feeding the female lovebird? Please keep a close watch on them.
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Question:
My lovebird's egg is out of the nest box. Can I put the egg back? Will the lovebird accept this egg?
Answer:
First place the egg back in the nest box and see if the mother lovebird accepts it or not.
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Question:
I was given a pair of lovebirds at the beginning of the year. About two months later, I had three birds, the baby was fully feathered and out of the nest. I just noticed there are three more baby birds in the nest. How do I keep them from hatching more eggs?
Answer:
To prevent hatching, the couple must be separated, but I'm against that. What you can do is, remove the eggs from the nest just after the female lovebird lays it. That way, they won't be warmed up by her and chicks won't form.
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Question:
My lovebird has only laid 2 eggs. This is her first time, is that normal? She is sitting on the eggs though.
Answer:
Yes, it's okay, give her time. She may lay more eggs. If not, it's okay.
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Question:
Why are my lovebird's eggs not fertilized? This pair had bred successfully three times previously.
Answer:
Fertility isn't guaranteed in each case in lovebirds. Maybe, they will have chicks later on.
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Question:
I know that lovebirds feed their chicks the first two weeks, but what food do they need to feed them?
Answer:
The mother lovebird secretes a clear fluid during the first days. Later on, she feeds the chick what she eats. So, do make sure she is eating healthy foods like seeds, apple, banana, corn, and spinach leaves. Crushed egg shells do help in building calcium levels.
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Question:
After the first egg hatches, could I take it out of the nest box and hand-feed the chick? Also, what will the hen eat to feed her babies?
Answer:
You can hand-feed the chick once it is three weeks old. It is easier to handle them then. The hen will eat whatever you provide her with. Give her healthy foods like corn, banana, apple, spinach leaves, and crushed eggshells (sprinkle the bits on their food).
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Question:
I have four lovebirds. The pairs laid eggs one and two respectively. Now I am observing the 1st pair is not going to the nest and sitting in the other box. What should I do?
Answer:
Do you mean to say that the female lovebird is not sitting on the egg? Maybe it's infertile, that's why she isn't.
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Question:
Should we separate the male and female Lovebirds after laying eggs?
Answer:
No, the male and female lovebirds shouldn't be separated. The male lovebird will feed the female, and inturn the female feeds the newborn chick.
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Question:
How can I tell if my lovebird is a male or female?
Answer:
It's really difficult to distinguish between them. However, these signs may tell them apart:

1. The most obvious sign is that the female lays eggs. If you have two females, then you will have two clutches of eggs. If there are no eggs, it means both are males.

2. Female lovebirds are a little heavier than males. They perch with a wider stance.

3. Female display nesting behavior--they love shredding paper, leaves and whatever they think might make a nest. So, the next time you let your lovebirds out, give them a sheet of paper each. See who tears it in shreds and places it in their back first.

Do remember that there can be exceptions.
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Question:
My lovebird is laying eggs and her feathers from the belly have fallen. Can you please tell me why has this happened?
Answer:
My lovebird has lost a few feathers from the belly region as well. This can happen due to the strain of keeping and laying eggs. The feathers will grow back with time. You can include vitamin supplements to your lovebird's diet and crushed eggshells (calcium source). Please don't worry.
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Question:
I thought we were not supposed to touch the eggs of a lovebird or she will kick them out the nest?
Answer:
Yes, please don't touch the eggs.
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Question:
What if my bird doesn't like water? How can I put her in warm water?
Answer:
Place a bowl of water near her, if she jumps in, you will know she is okay with it. If not, you have to hold her and place her in water.
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Question:
How can we identify hatched eggs in African lovebirds?
Answer:
The hatched eggs will have chicks in them.
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Question:
My lovebird has laid eggs outside the nest box... What should I do?
Answer:
You can use a spoon and place the eggs in the nest box.
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Question:
My female lovebird’s last egg hatched. She fed her chicks well, but a few days later the youngest chick died. Why did it die? The older chicks are still alive.
Answer:
Survival is difficult in nature, especially in smaller birds and animals. I have faced the same.
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Question:
My lovebird laid an egg. It’s been two full days, and she has not laid another one. Should I worried, and if so what can I do?
Answer:
Egg laying may get delayed if the lovebird is tired or feeling weak. Please give her crushed egg shells (which will help her calcium levels rise). You can also place her in a bowl of warm water. This will relax her muscles, and she may lay the egg.
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Question:
After how many days do the baby lovebirds come out of the box after hatching?
Answer:
That totally depends on the parent lovebirds. Once they feel the babies are old enough, they themselves will kick them out of the nest box.
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Question:
Ruby, my lovebird, has just laid her first egg, we don't want her to have babies. At the same time, I would feel so horrible just taking them out and trashing them. Plus, I have heard that if you do this, it could cause her to hold it in any other eggs. What do I do? I don't want the eggs to hatch, but I don't want to hurt her feelings either.
Answer:
I understand your feelings. You can replace the freshly hatched eggs with dummy eggs. Ruby might sit on the fake eggs or might not, but once the eggs are laid, remove them immediately. Eggs start forming into chicks at least 10 days posterior incubation.
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Question:
My female lovebird has laid only one egg. Should I be worried?
Answer:
No, you shouldn't be. She will lay them every alternate day.
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Question:
My budgie laid an egg for the first time on August 7th in the nest box. She laid another one on August 9th, but on the cage floor. It cracked, so I got rid of it but she didn't lay a third egg. She is also not sitting on the first egg that's in the nest. What should I do?
Answer:
She might be upset about the cracked egg. It doesn't matter how many eggs she lays at a time. They can be one, two or more. Give her time. If she doesn't sit on it, it means she knows it's infertile. My female lovebird used to do the same. If 21-25 days pass and the egg doesn't hatch or she doesn't sit on it, please throw it.
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Question:
My African Lutino lovebird laid four eggs, but they are not hatching after 30 days. This is first time she has laid eggs. Is there any problem?
Answer:
It's common in lovebirds to lay infertile eggs. There's nothing to worry about.
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Question:
What happens if I touch a lovebirds' egg?
Answer:
If you touch a female lovebird's eggs, she will think they are contaminated and won't sit on them.
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Question:
I have 2 lovebirds, their colors are the same as yours. The bird had laid 3 eggs, but after a few days, only 2 eggs are in the nest. Both the birds play well, but now I'm having doubts as to if both are females or are they a pair. Can we identify the gender of our lovebirds? The eggs are there, a lot of material is there in the nest box and the 2 eggs are covered.
Answer:
A male lovebird tends to regurgitate (bring up food in his mouth) to feed the female. Is this happening? How long has it been since the eggs were laid? If they don't hatch after 25 days, it means they are infertile, but we can't say both of them are females because of that. Females are slightly heavier than males, they sit with their feet perched wide apart. If the female is pregnant, you will see a bulge in the abdomen area. Please check for these signs.
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Question:
I have three birds: one boy two girls. Two of them are mating, but the other one is always being threatened. Why?
Answer:
The loner is being threatened because the other birds have become mates. Please buy a female lovebird for him and put them in a separate cage (after observing their behavior - they shouldn't be fighting).
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Question:
I have 2 pairs in the same cage. Two of them are paired, the other two are in the preadult stage. Will there be any problem for the paired ones to mate?
Answer:
No, the paired lovebirds won't have any problem while mating.
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Question:
When will a lovebird lay eggs?
Answer:
A lovebird lays eggs with or without a mate. With a mate, she can lay fertile eggs.
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Question:
When can we separate the lovebirds after hatching?
Answer:
A 2-3 weeks stage is a good time to separate the babies from their parent lovebirds. They are easier to hold and feed then.
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Question:
If we cannot touch the eggs, how can we tell if they are going to be born?
Answer:
You can lift the egg(s) with a spoon and view them under light. If red veins are visible (posterior 10 days of laying), it means a chick is growing inside. If it's infertile, the egg will appear empty.
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Question:
I've heard from people that when you see a lovebirds' egg, they're most likely to throw them out of their nest. Is this true ?
Answer:
No, you can see their eggs, there's no problem in that. You shouldn't touch them, though.
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Question:
My lovebirds laid their eggs but my male lovebird flew away. I haven't been able to catch him. Will the female be able to care for the egg alone?
Answer:
Please get your bird a new mate. A male lovebird is needed as he feeds the female lovebird, supports her and later feeds the chicks as well.
Helpful 5
Question:
Can I check my lovebirds' eggs? I have heard that people try to touch their eggs, they can break?
Answer:
No, you can't touch their eggs with your fingers, but you can definitely look at them.
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Question:
I bought two couples of lovebirds a week back and kept them in a cage. When will they lay eggs?
Answer:
Are the pairs of lovebirds mates? If so, give them time to mate. Once that's done, they will lay eggs a week later. If the pairs aren't mates, it will take some months for them to get bonded.
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Question:
My lovebird laid three eggs almost a month ago. Initially, she sat on them, but now she refuses to sit on them. Is this normal behaviour? If not, then what should I do?
Answer:
This is because she knows the eggs are infertile (my lovebird has done the same thing countless times). You can remove the eggs and discard them. If there were a chick in any one of them, they would have hatched within 25 days.
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Question:
My lovebird laid an egg on Monday, but after two days it did not lay. What does my lovebird's laying of only one egg mean?
Answer:
It means that the bird might lay only one egg in that clutch. It happens at times.
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Question:
If both the lovebirds are green peachfaced, can their babies be of different colours?
Answer:
Yes, it's possible if one of the lovebirds has a rare gene in them.
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Question:
What can we do so that lovebirds mate?
Answer:
Lovebirds mate if they feel comfortable with each other. We can't do anything other than wait.
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Question:
I have a pair of lovebirds that have laid five eggs. Only three have hatched. Can I remove the two that haven’t hatched?
Answer:
Yes, you should remove the two eggs that have not hatched.
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Question:
Do I need to remove the male lovebird once the eggs are laid?
Answer:
No, you shouldn't remove the male lovebird after the eggs are laid. The male lovebird will feed the female, and his presence is necessary. However, if the female is overprotective of her eggs and is trying to hurt the male, then it's better to separate them.
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Question:
After laying eggs, my lovebirds just sat on them only for fifteen days. Now, they are not sitting constantly anymore. What's the problem with them?
Answer:
The eggs might be infertile (and the lovebirds know about it, mine did the same thing) or "contaminated" according to the lovebird.
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Question:
My lovebird laid just one egg. One of her legs was broken when she was still a baby. She was a rescue bird. Everything is fine with her but she can’t move her leg properly. She laid her egg about 4 weeks ago and today I checked and saw it’s empty. My question is: how do I remove the egg without her being sad? And is it normal to just lay one egg? Her mate is healthy too.
Answer:
Please give her multivitamins. It's fine if she lays only one egg (mine did it too). Please remove it once no chicks hatch after 25 days of laying because the eggs turn bad then. She won't be sad. Please remove it for your birds' safety. If you think she might be aggressive/sad with the egg removal, please buy a dummy egg and place it near her.
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Question:
My lovebird has laid six eggs, every other day. The last two have been a lot smaller than the first four. Why is this?
Answer:
Lovebird eggs can be of different sizes. I have experienced that with my lovebird's layings as well.
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Question:
My female Lovebird laid four eggs about two weeks ago. I'm noticing that the female bird is not moving much. I'm scared that she's sick. Can you tell me why she's not much much and if she might be sick?
Answer:
She has recently laid eggs, which is a tiring process. Please increase her diet and include crushed chicken egg shells (to help build her calcium levels). Give her corn and spinach leaves. If possible add a little bit of egg white (only once a week). You will see her gaining strength.
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Question:
Can I move my love birds to a bigger cage while she is sitting on her eggs?
Answer:
Yes, you can do that. No worries.
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Question:
My female lovebird laid 4 eggs in total, but only 1 hatched. Do I take the other eggs out of the nest or should I just leave them in the nest with the hatched chick?
Answer:
Please remove the eggs that have not hatched.
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Question:
I checked the lovebird eggs this morning. One chick had hatched overnight but it was dead. Any ideas why? It looks perfectly formed.
Answer:
Survival is difficult and newborns are really weak. Only some chicks (out of many) survive and reach adulthood.
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Question:
My female lovebird laid five eggs, but they are infertile. Should I take them out?
Answer:
Yes, it's best to take them out. To be sure they are infertile, wait for 21-25 days after they have been laid.
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Question:
My lovebird has a bulge near her poop area. Is my lovebird's bulge a sign of an egg? But the egg is not coming out. It's been a month. What I should do to ensure that my lovebird is healthy?
Answer:
Please place the bird in a vessel of lukewarm water. Does she have a mate? A bulge in the abdomen is a sign of an egg.
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Question:
Does the mother bird always have to sit on the egg?
Answer:
No, she won't be. She'll take short breaks to eat and drink water.
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Question:
Is it good to put a rooftop over the Lovebirds' nest?
Answer:
That is okay if the birds are fine with it.
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Question:
My lovebirds are not laying eggs. I bought them one year ago. Can you please tell me why are they not laying eggs?
Answer:
There can be many reasons:

1. You might be having two males.
2. The birds (though of opposite gender) must be younger than a year's age.
3. They must not be mating properly.
4. They might not be mates.
5. The nutrition could be poor.
Helpful 2
Question:
If you don’t have a nesting box then will a lovebird just lay her eggs on the bars of her cage?
Answer:
Yes, that's what will happen.
Helpful 2
Question:
A friend of mine has a pair of peach faced lovebirds with eggs. Will the babies be the same color as the parents?
Answer:
Yes, the color of the chicks will be most likely the same as the parents, unless they have recessive genes.
Helpful 2
Question:
My lovebird laid 4 eggs. 1 infertile. 3 fertile. The 3 actually have babies in them. She has been sitting on them. But it has been at least 3 weeks now. I think the chicks inside may be dead. Why would this be? When she's been looking after them nonstop?
Answer:
My lovebird used to do the same thing. Please wait for 4-5 days. If there are no hatchings, please discard the eggs.
Helpful 2
Question:
After hatching eggs, when will the bird lay another egg?
Answer:
That is after the bird and her partner mate.
Helpful 2
Question:
Is it possible for a lovebird couple to lay seven eggs?
Answer:
Yes, a female lovebird can lay from four to ten eggs in a clutch.
Helpful 2
Question:
I have a female lovebird who has been laying eggs. Her mate died and she is not going in the nest. What can I do?
Answer:
Please get her a new mate.
Helpful 2
Question:
My budgie laid an egg but she is not sitting on it. Will she deliver the next egg today or tomorrow?
Answer:
She might deliver it every alternate day.
Helpful 2
Question:
Is it okay to put the nest on the base of the cage because my lovebird has a broken wing?
Answer:
How did your lovebird break their wing? Please apply turmeric powder and coconut oil on the wounds. It's okay to put the nest on the base of the cage.
Helpful 2
Question:
My lovebird laid her first egg last week which fell from the perch and cracked. She has laid the second egg this week, exactly seven days later, in her box. She has mated. Is this normal?
Answer:
If she has laid an egg seven days later, it means she and the male lovebird have mated again.
Helpful 2
Question:
What should I do right when my lovebirds eggs hatch?
Answer:
Please make sure the chicks are being fed by the parent lovebird.
Helpful 2
Question:
How do you know if a lovebird is male or female?
Answer:
It is difficult to distinguish them without a DNA test, but there are subtle signs:
1. Females are slightly heavier than males and are perched with legs wide apart.

2. Females lay eggs and display nesting behavior (cutting paper into strips and putting them in their backs, there can be exceptions).
3. Females don't regurgitate food like males.
Helpful 2
Question:
I have 1 male and 2 female lovebirds. How can I know which bird loves the other?
Answer:
Notice the closeness between them. Do you find the male close to one of the females? Does he try to feed any one of them? If that's the case, he may develop a bond with one of them. Please buy another male lovebird so that the other female (if one pair is formed) doesn't feel lonely.
Helpful 2
Question:
My lovebird sits like he is going to give eggs. He is not flying, only sits in one place. He is eating well. I went to see the vet, but he said her eggs got stuck. The other vet said that there are no eggs as he's a male. What is the issue?
Answer:
Has the bird behaved this way...
Helpful
Question:
How did you train your bird to roam around your house so freely?
Answer:
I've been letting him out since he was a tiny bird. That's why he's so comfortable. If it's a new bird, you can let the bird out and maintain distance. Let the bird trust you and get used to the house. This takes an ample amount of time.
Helpful 1
Question:
Is it normal for a Lovebird to lay only one egg?
Answer:
Yes, it's perfectly okay. Sometimes, my bird laid one egg, at times 12 in succession.
Helpful 1
Question:
My female lovebird had laid an egg in the breeding pot and I bought a bigger cage, can I shift them to a new cage?
Answer:
Yes, you can shift them.
Helpful 1
Question:
Does the female or the male lovebird, or neither watch over the babies and for how long?
Answer:
The parents watch over the babies until they feel they can survive on their own. That depends in different cases. A lovebird gets fledged (around a month and a half's age).
Helpful 1
Question:
I have a female and a male lovebird, the female lovebird is old enough to lay eggs but doesn't. What should I do to help her?
Answer:
Please give her time. She might not be ready or they might be not be mates yet.
Helpful 1
Question:
My lovebird's baby isn't moving. She's just laying in the box since last night in the same position! Is she dead? How will I come to know? If she's dead what should I do?
Answer:
Just touch her and see if she moves. You can hold her and feel her breathing (the chest area moves). If she's dead, you need to remove her from thr box. I'm sorry.
Helpful 1
Question:
My lovebird had only laid one egg both times. Is this ok?
Answer:
Yes, it's okay. Egg-laying is different in each case.
Helpful 1
Question:
My lovebirds are not laying eggs. What should I do?
Answer:
Your lovebird might not be female, or might not be a year old.
Helpful 1
Question:
My female lovebird had laid 4 eggs. Today, I bought a bigger cage and shifted the birds and the same breeding pot. But now, the bird is not going to the pot and doesn't sit on the eggs. What is the reason?
Answer:
I think your female lovebird doesn't like change. Shift them to the old cage and see if she sits on the eggs.
Helpful 1
Question:
How many days do lovebirds incubate for?
Answer:
The incubation period is 21-25 days.
Helpful 1
Question:
Can I look at my lovebirds' eggs?
Answer:
Yes, you can if your lovebirds lay them, but you shouldn't touch them.
Helpful 1
Question:
How do you feed a baby lovebird or does the mother bird feeds it on its own?
Answer:
The mother feeds the chick for the first two or three weeks, then the young one is taught how to eat on its own. Please make sure the mother lovebird is feeding the chick. If she's not, please feed the chick lovebird formula feed (available in a local pet store) with a small syringe.
Helpful 1
Question:
Last year my untamed parakeet laid two eggs, her rival (an older, tamed parakeet, is infertile) sat on eggs cause motherly instincts, and eventually pushed two eggs out, accident or on purpose? The mother had the first egg 2019 in a deep food bowl but full of seed shells. Her rival will not be able to push the egg out. If the egg hatches, I am worried if the babies will choke on the seed shells. Should I leave the eggs there and just wait?
Answer:
Please shift the eggs in a nest box. The babies might swallow the seed hulls accidentally. The mother lovebird will get inside the box to incubate them.
Helpful 1
Question:
Do you know about Java finches? I found two bird with eleven eggs, are they both females?
Answer:
I'm sorry, but I don't know about Java finches. If there are eleven eggs, your birds might be females. You have to wait and see if any of the eggs hatch. If they don't, the two are female.
Helpful 1
Question:
Do lovebirds have egg laying problems?
Answer:
Yes, they do. I mentioned infertility in lovebirds at the end of my article.
Helpful 1
Question:
If the lovebird's eggs are laid on different days, will they hatch on the same day?
Answer:
No, they will hatch on different days. Keep a count of 21-25 days after each egg is laid.
Helpful 1
Question:
My lovebird keeps laying eggs continuously and won't stop sitting on them. I don't know what to do. It's honestly like she's neurotic. What do I do?
Answer:
Does she lay them with or without a mate? If she's alone, please get her a male lovebird. If she's mated and doing so after that, then please discard the infertile eggs (21-25 days after laying) and replace them with dummy eggs.
Helpful 1
Question:
My female lovebird sometimes sits on her eggs and other times not. Are the eggs fertilized?
Answer:
They may/may not be fertilized.
Helpful 1
Question:
Who sits on a lovebird's eggs after they are laid?
Answer:
The mother lovebird, commonly known as a hen (in all bird species), sits on the eggs for incubation.
Helpful 1
Question:
I have 2 lovebirds which are the same color as your lovebird. My female laid 4 eggs but in the meantime, the male flew out of the cage. As the lonely female can't take over 4 eggs, how can I help her?
Answer:
Please keep looking for the male's return. Please take 1 or 2 chicks and try to feed them yourself. Make sure the female lovebird is getting proper food. Keep her well fed and make sure fresh water is available.
Helpful 1
Question:
Should I crack the lovebird egg? It is taking a long time and not cracking. My bird does not have a mate.
Answer:
No, you should not even touch the egg. Let the egg crack on its own. If it doesn't hatch within 21-25 days after the bird has laid it, you can discard it.
Helpful 1
Question:
Will the lovebird lay second clutch and when?
Answer:
The female lovebird will lay a second clutch after she has incubated the first clutch. If there are hatchlings, she will take care of them. If not, you need to discard the eggs posterior 25 days of their laying.
Helpful 1
Question:
I have two female and one male lovebird. One of the females had three babies, the other has had two batches of four eggs, and none hatched. Is it okay to have two females and one male?
Answer:
It is not okay, it may result in fights between the two females. I would suggest you to buy another male lovebird.
Helpful 1
Question:
I have a female lovebird. She laid one egg before and one in the morning but broke it by herself. Is she continuously laying eggs now? I have no male lovebird and the female is laying eggs.
Answer:
She is mature now and can lay eggs. She needs a mate. Please get a male lovebird for her.
Helpful
Question:
I have a pair of African lovebirds. The female had laid 4 eggs, but suddenly she died. The male continued to sit on the eggs. It is the 25th day today. The male has started making too many sounds since the 24th day. Today he is hardly sitting on the eggs. Will the eggs hatch? What do I do?
Answer:
Please get a female lovebird...
Helpful
Question:
Is it possible for a male lovebird to get pregnant?
Answer:
No, it's not.
Helpful
Question:
How long does it take for an African lovebird chick to attain full feather growth?
Answer:
It takes around six months for the chick to attain full feather growth.
Helpful
Question:
Why is my lovebird is not laying eggs?
Answer:
A lovebird is unable to lay eggs due to many reasons. The most common are:

1. Either she is not a year old, or she is older than five years of age

2. Malnutrition, infertility, and loose perches (the male can't balance himself) may be possible

3. Poor diet is another cause. Feed your lovebirds fruits like apple, banana, grapes; give them corn, spinach leaves, and incorporate crushed eggshells into their seed bowl.
Helpful
Question:
My birds laid some eggs and they have hatched. We didn't know that they had laid the eggs until like the 12th day. Now we found one of the chicks on the floor, what will happen next?
Answer:
Keep the chick in the nest box in between the remaining eggs for support and safety. The mother lovebird will take care of the feeding.
Helpful
Question:
If the female lovebird dies while pregnant, does the male die two?
Answer:
It could happen, yes.
Helpful
Question:
How many eggs will a lovebird lay in a day?
Answer:
A lovebird lays one egg per day.
Helpful
Question:
My lovebird had laid 4 eggs. Out of them, 3 have been broken by the hen. One egg is being incubated. Will it hatch?
Answer:
If the incubation is done properly, the hatching will take place 21-25 days posterior egg laying.
Helpful
Question:
One bird is not allowing the other bird to enter the pot. Is there any specific reason?
Answer:
The bird might be jealous....
Helpful
Question:
My female lovebird died today. It was a natural death. She had laid 4 eggs I have put them in my incubator at 37.2 Celsius. What is your opinion? What should I do?
Answer:
37° C is a high temperature, keep it at 30°C. If they hatch, you'll have to hand-feed the chicks.
Helpful
Question:
I have two lovebirds that have the same parents. Now the female has laid eggs. I didn't want this to happen. Do you think the chicks will survive? What should I do?
Answer:
How long has it been since the eggs have been laid? If it's a day or 2, please discard the eggs if you wish to. If it's not, then let the chicks grow if there are any inside.
Helpful
Question:
Can I put 2 females and 1 male lovebird in a single cage with 2 nest boxes?
Answer:
Please get another male lovebird. The two females might fight over one male.
Helpful
Question:
I have two lovebirds. My female lovebird throws her eggs out. Why is it so? Is it required to cover the nest with a cloth?
Answer:
The eggs might be infertile and she knows it. Maybe that's the reason she throws her eggs out. It's not compulsory to cover the cage but if it's done, the birds will not be disturbed with light/noise etc.
Helpful
Question:
I have a male and a female lovebird, they are friendly to each other but I have not found any egg since the day I bought them. Do they need a nest? And if not, what should I do to help them to lay eggs?
Answer:
Please buy a nest box for them. Have you found them mating? If not, give them some time.
Helpful
Question:
Does Lulu, your lovebird, have a partner?
Answer:
Yes, Mumu was her partner (the pictures are shown)... Lulu is not with us anymore. Mumu has a new partner named Juju.
Helpful
Question:
My lovebird laid 3 eggs (all fertile). I just candlelit them and there are big babies inside them but they are not coming out. Any suggestions? It’s past their hatch date.
Answer:
Is the female lovebird incubating them well? Keep them under a lamp and see if they hatch. If they don't hatch, it means they weren't properly incubated. It happened to one of my lovebird's eggs too.
Helpful
Question:
My lovebird has laid 7 eggs. They all remained unhatched. Why did this happen?
Answer:
Unhatched eggs are common. This can be due to poor nutrition, improper mating, or the gender of the lovebirds could be male.
Helpful
Question:
Are you able to move the eggs or can you not move them at all?
Answer:
You can shift them with a...
Helpful
Question:
Is it okay to keep a pregnant lovebird with cockatiels and budgies (in separate cages obviously) though they are grown up together? I am a little bit tense as they make too much noise, especially my budgies.
Answer:
Where's the lovebird's mate? If they are okay to be shifted with the cockatiels and budgies, then it's okay. If they're not okay and you find them fighting, please avoid it.
Helpful
Question:
Is it okay to change the location of a lovebird's eggs?
Answer:
Yes, as long as the birds are...
Helpful
Question:
I have a male and female conure. The female laid 4 eggs in a nesting box and this morning I found her dead and stiff at the bottom of the cage. Why was it so?
Answer:
I'm so sorry to hear this. Did she have difficulty in laying eggs?
Helpful
Question:
My lovebirds lay a lot of eggs and they aren't hatching. I throw them away after a month (sadly) but I am concerned. They have been together for almost 2 years and she has only had 3 successful babies. I need advice. I feel so bad of how many eggs I throw away every month. What should I do?
Answer:
This is all a part of nature. I understand how sad it makes you feel. I have been through the same thing. You can give your birds multivitamins and crushed egg shells (twice in a week), but this will only make them stronger. It won't guarantee chicks.
Helpful
Question:
My lovebird laid an infertile egg on the bottom of the cage with blood on it. Should I be worried she’s hurt?
Answer:
Please check your lovebird's bottom. Apply turmeric powder if there's a wound.
Helpful
Question:
My birds laid their eggs in coconut and now I'm not sure what to do. They had 6 eggs on the 6th of November and now they have 5 more. It's the 6th of December and none have them hatched yet. Why?
Answer:
Those eggs are infertile. I'm...
Helpful
Question:
How do I know whether the lovebird is a male or female?
Answer:
Lovebirds are hard to distinguish. The most obvious difference between them is that the females will lay eggs. There are other differences:

1. Females are perched with wider legs; their built looks heavier than the males.

2. Male lovebirds feed the females (regurgitation) by bobbing their heads up and down.

3. Females love shredding paper into strips, and they'll put them in their backs (nesting behavior).
Helpful

Birds
Lovebird Courtship and Mating: What We Learned
by Sakina Nasir69
Care & Feeding
Caring for Newborn Lovebirds
by Sakina Nasir94
Care & Feeding
Caring for Sick Lovebirds
by Sakina Nasir6
Care & Feeding
Bathing Tips for Lovebirds
by Sakina Nasir15
Training
How to Put Lovebirds Back in Their Cage
by Sakina Nasir16

Comments

AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
4 days ago from Kuwait
Hi Shane!
Shane Russell
4 days ago
Hi sakina!
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
4 weeks ago from Kuwait
Please include a nest box in the cage.
Idil K
4 weeks ago
Is it ok to stay at the bottom of her cage without a nest?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
4 weeks ago from Kuwait
Hi, Idil K. :)
Please get her a male as soon as possible. I feel she might be lonely. Please don't worry. Egg-Laying is normal and safe in birds most of the time. You need to let her be part of the process in a natural way.
Idil K
4 weeks ago
Dear Sakina,
I have only one female lovebird who is currently sitting at the bottom of her cage. She looks healthy, she is eating, drinking, flying normally. Her voice and the energy is the same. But she is almost always at the bottom. My other love bird's empty egg got stuck and I had to to go vet. I'm afraid to experience the same :( I don't allow her to bite/chew materials that may cause her to make nest. I only caress her head because otherwise she tends to open her wings all the time. What can I do now?Should I go to avian vet?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
6 weeks ago from Kuwait
Hi Patty! :)
Give her time. Nesting periods and egg laying differs from bird to bird. Males feed females a lot when they're pregant.
Patty070147@aol.com
6 weeks ago
I have 2 Fisher love birds she has been building a nest for 2 weeks now. it has a funnel look to it she never seems to quit he is regurgitating to her he has fed her but never like this. She will not let him in the nest box. Is this normal why so long to build a nest. It is her first time I understand that but all I read says 6 days. It has been 11. She is always on the move then she will go into the box and he will feed her from the opening. Thanks for any help you can give, Patty
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
2 months ago from Kuwait
They must be having low calcium in the blood. Please include crushed egg shells in the birds' food.
Rahman
2 months ago
Why love bird eat their own egg
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
2 months ago from Kuwait
It depends on the bird, but she should be sitting on them for most of the day.
staqn
2 months ago
how much time a day does the female sit on the eggs
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
2 months ago from Kuwait
Hi Syed! :)
Please wait till 10 days have passed after egg laying. Then you can use a torch or your mobile's flashlight to see if there's any red vein inside the egg. If there is, it's a sign that a chick is growing.
Syed Daniyal Ali
2 months ago
I bought a pair of lotinos about an year ago. I wasn't confirm that either its a pair or not. But one of tgem laid 8 egg s but none of them hatched. This year about 10 days ago she laid 2 eggs i have(i have seen them mating earlier). Female is sitting on the eggs but not continuously. How do confirm that the eggs are fertile and will hatch.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
2 months ago from Kuwait
A lovebird lays eggs after a week of mating.
Niz patel
2 months ago
My lovebird pair making a nest i want to know after howmany days femal will ley the eggs ???
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
2 months ago from Kuwait
@Sam Hi! That might happen but it's not always the case.
Sam
2 months ago
Does male lovebird sits on egg?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
3 months ago from Kuwait
Either the birds know the eggs arr infertile or maybe they think they are contaminated. I think the liquid must be from a broken egg. What was its color?
Jasmine Mistry
3 months ago
Hi Sakina i wanted to ask you that why are my love birds breaking their own eggs even after they are sitting on it for 1-2 days after they are laid and today i saw liquid in my birds pot in which she laid an egg, so can i know what that liquid actually is?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
4 months ago from Kuwait
@Bird Lover Hi! :) I'm sure your bird must like you as well. Yes, it is totally fine to put the nest on the bottom of the cage. Please do get a male lovebird for her.
Bird lover
4 months ago
is it okay to put the nest box in ground because one of my female love bird has damage wing since I found it.if not please suggest me with an idea.
She cannot fly she can only climb with her mouth and leg.she is show adorable to me i don't want to get rid of her not for her wings.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
4 months ago from Kuwait
Hi Lynn. :)
I'm sorry to hear this. I think Oliver may or may not be a girl. I think he/she is going through their first molt (they lose old feathers and gain new shiny ones). Molting really depresses them and angers them as well. It's also accompanied by loss of appetite, loose motions, beak rubs and scratching of feathers.
Please keep a bowl of warm water (with little aloe vera gel) near the cage. If the bird takes a bath, he/she will calm down for a while. Is your bird eating well? Do you find him/her scratching a lot? Are the feathers falling more than normal? Then it's sure that a first molt is going on.
Please include 2-3 drops of multivitamins in the drinking water. It helps with the molting process. Hope this helps. I've written about molting as well. If you'd like you can go through it. Hope your bird feels better and gets through the molt finely.
Females lay eggs when they're about a year old. They do get aggressive that time as well.
Regards,
Sakina
Lynn Russo
4 months ago
Hi Sakina,
I’ve spoken to you in the past how are you? My question for you is I had 2 hatchlings from two different clutches. my first peach faced lovebird, who I thought was a boy turns out to be a girl & is five months old. the second one is Phoebe who turned out to be a boy is three months old. they’re in separate cages & I take them out all the time, for interaction, handling & playtime. I’ve hand raised both of these babies since they’re three weeks old & yesterday all of a sudden Oliver the five-month-old started very seriously biting me and drawing blood. I can’t go near the cage right now as the bird just wants to attack me what do I do? Any suggestions? Could Oliver, who is really a girl be ready to lay eggs even though she’s only five months old & has not bred with anyone in order for her to turn so nasty? I’m so upset about this.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
6 months ago from Kuwait
Happy Eid to you too, Ahmed. :) Oh no... that's sad to hear. You can buy a brooder and transfer the chicks there. That will keep them warm. Feed them baby lovebird formula, which will be available in a local pet store. There are a lot of videos on the net, which will help you.
Good luck! :)
Ahmed Hussein
6 months ago
Hi Sakina. I hope very happy Eid for you & your family and friends.
You answered me about breeding Budgie but the mother bird Rose (Lovebird) don"t feed babies after hatching and then died.
Mt question is: what are the possible care breedings of all kinds of birds?
thanks a lot
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
6 months ago from Kuwait
Hi Ahmed Hussein. :)
Yes, you can breed the budgie in the other nest if the mother is not taking care of the newborn.
Ahmed Hussein
6 months ago
I have a pair of Budgie after laying egg the female don't lay in nest .. after one day she break the egg and take it out of nest.
To be sure of fertilization I put 2 eggs at Rosiecolis and the eggs hatched but mother Rose don't feed the offspring till die.
my question: can I breed Budge at other bird nest .. thanks Dear Sakina.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
6 months ago from Kuwait
@Adnan Hi! The female will probably lay the eggs after a week if the mating is successful.
Adnan raza
6 months ago
aoa i my fisher pair mating and how many days female lay eggs after mating
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
8 months ago from Kuwait
Hi, Aravindh! It mostly depends on nature. Please don't get disheartened.
Aravindh
8 months ago
My love birds pair had been laying eggs around six months 30-40 eggs till now..none of them were fertile eggs and iam providing them high nutritional feeding.but it doesn't giving results
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
8 months ago from Kuwait
@Marziya Ramakdawala Please remove the chick once the female moves out of the cage.
Marziya Ramakdawala
8 months ago
The female bird isn't allowing me to touch the baby.. How will I remove it? The baby is dead dead I think in the box
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
9 months ago from Kuwait
@Vindya Hi! It's okay if one bird has laid all the eggs. Feed the bird dried bread if her poop is loose. Give her a piece of banana. She's not have watery poop then.
Vindya
9 months ago
My love birds laid thr first egg on 24/feb.. but that egg was broken i was worried.. and later.. it laid 2 more eggs, then other 2.. then other 2... then other 2.. now it actually laid 9 eggs one of wch was broken earlier..
I actually 3 love birds, whr i thought 2 birds were male... now i came to knw it was female... 2 birds are warming up the eggs... i dunno if 2 birds hav aso laid eggs or only one.. is it ok if only bird hav laid all the 9 eggs...
The bird's mother is like liquid and more in quantity whn compared with previous... is it normal..? Should i take serious action to take care of them..
Tiffanypreete
9 months ago
My love bird lay 4 eggs and if not have baby lovebird come out eggs. Not been good at all
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
10 months ago from Kuwait
@peaches-jingles I think this arrangement is fine. The male's attention will be diverted gradually, I hope. :)
peaches-jingles
10 months ago
He wanted to get back to its nest.. just now I let the female to be with the male in a separate cage and they both are all cuddly. But I'm scared to leave them together in the cage that hosts their nest. What do you suggest?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
10 months ago from Kuwait
@peaches-jingles This is worrying me too. How did the male react when you isolated him?
peaches-jingles
10 months ago
Yes Sakina, the Fischer is a male and yes, I have seen them mating many times. Yesterday I had kept the male isolated and tried letting it in together.. but the female was too scared to go in while the male was around. So I had to keep him seperately again. This is really worrying me..
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
10 months ago from Kuwait
@peaches-jingles Oh... this is really unusual. Is there any chance the Fischer is a female? Did your birds mate? Have you seen them mating? I wish to know all the details. I hope I can be of help. :)
peaches-jingles
10 months ago
Hi, yes I've seen it lay eggs. Bcoz I used to have only one bird initially. So when it started laying eggs all by itself, that's when I got a male Fischer..
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
10 months ago from Kuwait
@peaches-jingles Hi! That is unusual. Have you seen the peachfaced lovebird laying the eggs? (I had had been mistaken between the male and female too, the shop owner had given us wrong information.) If they are of the genders, you have mentioned, this seems unusual. Is the Fischer lovebird sitting on all the eggs?
peaches-jingles
10 months ago
Hi, I have a peach faced female along with a fisher male. Both are usually good companions. The female has laid 12 eggs and both used to incubate the eggs. Since yesterday, the male seems to be very aggressive and is avoiding the female to enter the nest. So the female is sitting outside while the male is incubating. I dont understand what is wrong..
登录 - 简书
10 months ago
Mercedes-Benz History.
Jello
11 months ago
How come that your bird laid 12 eggs? I think they are both hen
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
11 months ago from Kuwait
The hatching time is 21-25 days. We can wait and see what happens.
Zara
11 months ago
My love birds have only given 2 eggs and it has been 3 days since the last egg was given will those two eggs hatch
Rana Karatas
11 months ago
Thank you sooo much, such a relief!
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
11 months ago from Kuwait
@Rana Karatas Hi! :) I understand your concern but it's normal. My male lovebird, Mumu used to kick and play with the eggs too. Cracked eggs are the cause of low calcium levels in the female's body. Please include crushed chicken egg shells in her food.
Rana Karatas
11 months ago
Hello, I had an emergency question. So my birds laid an egg 2 days ago, but I found it cracked :( (btw I have a male and female, so it was fertile). Today, she laid another one and was sitting on it in the nesting box. I thought everything was going fine, but just saw the male go inside and start kicking the egg around. Is it normal for the male to go inside the nesting box during this time? I’ve been watching for half an hour now and am worried because I was looking forward to baby parakeets for yeaaaaars. Please let me know if I should be doing anything about it, or if it’s normal. Thank you sooooo much!
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
12 months ago from Kuwait
@Achu Hi! :) Mating isn't successful all the time. There can be reasons (like age and loose perches) which might interfere with successful mating.
Achu
12 months ago
Madam i need to know about the african love birds egg laying process. Our birds started to make nest around 15 days but not yet layed an egg. What is the reason
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
13 months ago from Kuwait
There's nothing we can do. They might be younger than 1 year of age or might not be mating properly. Give them time and see what happens.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
13 months ago from Kuwait
@Emile Hi! :) The chicks won't hatch, that's why the mother lovebird isn't sitting on them properly. She knows they won't hatch. An egg can hatch between 21-25 days after it is laid. After that, it dries up.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
13 months ago from Kuwait
@boboosy I have answered your question. Please check the Questions and Answers section.
boboosy
13 months ago
please help me my female lovebird is biting on her male mate until blood comes out so I gave the male to my aunt and he's happy now but the female won't eat and she has two eggs why she's not eating please help me I don't want to lose her
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
14 months ago from Kuwait
@Janelle Andrews Hi! Thank you so much! :) A lovebird of three weeks of age is easier to handle and hand-feed. Good luck!
Janelle Andrews
14 months ago
Hi Sakina, I think your awesome. My love bird have layed 3 eggs, I don't really want to hand feed them as I am new to this. However My daughter wants to bond with one as soon as possible. When would it be safe to take them out of the nesting box with out hand feeding them.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
14 months ago from Kuwait
@Junita Hi! That's really sad to hear. The legs might be not steady because the babies might be weak. If the parent lovebirds refuse to feed the chicks, you can do so.
Junita
14 months ago
My three baby love birds died after parents rejected to feed them and I was unaware. The baby birds legs were not steady to stand before it died. I want to know why ?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
15 months ago from Kuwait
@Mustaq Hi! :) You can place driy grass in the nest box.
Mustaq
15 months ago
Should we keep any thing in the cage pot for nesting??
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
15 months ago from Kuwait
@Firdos.memon Walekum assalam. :) Yes, you can keep the baby lovebirds in the nest box after each time you feed them.
Firdos.memon@yahoo.ca
15 months ago
Salam..i have 4 baby love birds n i started to hand feeding.can i put back them in nest after hand feeding ..if yes how often i can do that in a day?
Ariana
15 months ago
Thank you sakina!:)
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
15 months ago from Kuwait
@Ariana Hi! :) It means the other eggs are not fertilized. They won't hatch.
Ariana
15 months ago
Hi my love bird has layed 5 eggs, only one egg has hatched and its been about a week and then other 4 still haven't hatched. Is there somthing wrong?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
16 months ago from Kuwait
@Lupe Hi! :) I think the egg is infertile, maybe that's the lovebird might be kicking it out. You can check it under a flashlight. If red veins appear, it means it is fertile, if it's empty, you will know.
Lupe
16 months ago
my lovebirds have three chicks, about 10 day s old" last week I saw an egg out f the tent, I put it back inside, and today I See an egg out . I don’t know if accidentally came out or f nest....I am plannng to return to the tent. Any comments
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
16 months ago from Kuwait
@Anil Joshi Hi! :) That depends on when the lovebirds mate again.
Anil Joshi
16 months ago
How long does it take for a bird to relay eggs after the first brood has matured.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
16 months ago from Kuwait
@Kavishkar Hi! You can put dried grass in the nest box or give your lovebird some paper to shred. :)
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
16 months ago from Kuwait
@Mirza Amir Baig Walekum assalam. :) Yes, they can mate, they don't have to be from the same family.
Kavishkar
16 months ago
I made a nest out of coconut husk for my love bird( it layed 3 eggs) but I did not put any fillings (eg shredded paper ) what should l do
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
16 months ago from Kuwait
@pushpadushanth Hi! :) Lovebirds lay eggs a week after mating.
pushpadushanth
16 months ago
HOw many month the lovebird lay egg offer first baby love birds after.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
17 months ago from Kuwait
@keatmeat Hi! :) That's really nice to hear. It depends on the clutch, eggs can be 4 or 6, or more than that. The female lovebird will lay one every alternate day.
Yes, you can put crushed egg shells for them--either sprinkle them over their seed bowl or fruits.
If the mother sits on the eggs, a lamp isn't required. And yes, infertile eggs are common.
keatmeat
17 months ago
i have six lovebirds which i bought 2 weeks ago i'm guessing they are all at least one year old and i have a nice big aviary with nest boxes.
one pair took to a nest box immediately and made a nest of coconut fiber, feathers and dried grass. i have been checking for eggs and i found one today. how many more do you think they will have and if i put the calcium diet in for them would they eat it?
also i have an insulated indoor area which is where they are do i need to do anything further to make sure they hatch like a heat lamp or sumthing.
Finally is it very common for the eggs to be infertile
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
17 months ago from Kuwait
@Jabastin Hi! :) Lovebirds are fully matured after 6 months of age. For breeding, lovebirds should be at least a year old.
Jabastin
17 months ago
I had bought four baby love birds may I know how many days it will take for my baby lovebirds for breeding stage
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
17 months ago from Kuwait
@SandyShivu Hi! :) Keep the eggs as they are. Please don't mix them. Your female lovebird isn't sitting on that particular clutch because she knows they won't hatch. Let her give warmth to the other clutch of eggs.
I don't know if Finches and lovebirds can stay together without fighting/screaming. It's better if you can bring another cage for your lovebirds and attach a nest box in it.
Also, two males and one female are bound to get hurt. Please buy a new female lovebird for the male who isn't bonded. Hope this helps. Good luck!
SandyShivu
17 months ago
Hi Sakina,
I have 1 female and 2 male lovebirds, recently laid eggs in 2 different places(3 & 4 eggs) and sits on 2nd place only. 4 eggs are not getting warmness of mother bird.So, can i mix these eggs with those eggs or should i keep it like that only. Please let me know soon.
One more thing i want to know i have a big size cage for them made out of iron and kept bird pots, do you think should i keep a nest box inside that ?
I do have Finches also in the cage, do this have any problem?
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
17 months ago from Kuwait
@Joseph Lee Hi! :) Do you mean my lovebird is eating her egg? They don't eat their own eggs.
joseph lee
17 months ago
Why shes eating her egg
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
18 months ago from Kuwait
@Ruchi Lovebirds can't withstand extremely high temperatures. Please put them in AC and cover their cage with a thin cloth or pillow cover. Don't place them in direct sunlight.
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
18 months ago from Kuwait
@kayleb.dockary Hi! Yes, that means your lovevird is dead. I'm sorry. Please try to hold him/her and see if there is any movement.
kayleb.dockary
18 months ago
My lovebird chic
k is not moving what does that mean is it sleeping or is it dead
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
18 months ago from Kuwait
@Rana abi nader Hi! :) Mating is totally upto the lovebirds, we can't do anything about it.
You said you have two females and one male, do you see any pair formations?
If not, bring another male lovebird and see what happens. Bonding takes time, give them time.
Rana abi nader
18 months ago
Hello i have a problem . My love bird don't give me eggs . I have 1 male and 2 female and i don't get eggs .how can i help females to get eggs and when?
Rana Karatas
19 months ago
Alright, thank you so much!
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
19 months ago from Kuwait
@Rana Karatas
Aww! Well the cage size doesn't matter. And you let them out! That's more than enough space to mate. :D I hope they mate soon and give birth to chicks.
Rana Karatas
19 months ago
No, they haven't mated yet but they've been together for over 3 months now and do show closeness to each other. The male does feed the female and they preen each other's feathers. I was just wondering if a small cage had any affect on it. Well it's not that small but not too big. But the cage is open so they have my whole room too ahahha. Well thanks then! I'll just have to wait for baby parakeets :) super excited already!
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
19 months ago from Kuwait
@Rana Karatas Hi! :) That's so sweet of you to say. Lovebirds, parakeets and all kinds of birds are my favorite as well.
Okay, I think your birds might need a little more time to reach the stage of mating. Have they mated?
Have you seen the male feeding the female by any chance? That's a good sign of their bonding.
There really isn't any speeding up process for mating. They are like humans; they take time to build trust and affection between them. :)
But, if you see them getting too close, preening each other's feathers, regurgitation (male feeding the female), and activities timed together, chances are they will mate soon.
My lovebirds: Mumu and Lulu took around 3-4 months to become mates. :)
Rana Karatas
19 months ago
Hello Sakina! I genuinely enjoyed reading your article, (because I love birds!) but was wondering if you could answer an additional question for me. I currently have 2 parakeets, a male and a female, and they clearly love each other. I already attached a nesting cage, and have been waiting for months for baby birds; however, there's still no sign of them. :( My cage isn't that big, but I'm not sure if that matters. I usually open the top part of the cage and they are free to fly around as they like. But do you know what I could do to speed up the process? I would really like baby parakeets xD thanks! :)
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
19 months ago from Kuwait
@Maryam Yahya Hi! :) If the three-week-old egg isn't broken, keep it close to the mother lovebird. If it's cracked and the female isn't sitting on it, then you can throw it.
Maryam yahya
19 months ago
My bird had one egg and after three weeks it was gone so what I should do because she have a new egg
AUTHOR
Sakina Nasir
19 months ago from Kuwait
@Avi Hi! :)
That's so cute to hear. They might be of the same sex. If they aren't, the perches might be loose, so the male can't have a better grip.
Do give them paper. Check if one of them tears it and places it in her back. My article-"Lovebird Courtship And Mating: What We Learnt" will hopefully answer most of your questions.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Avi
19 months ago
Hi Sakina, I've a loving pair of lovebirds (older than a year and half) and they started mating since few months. Both are healthy but there's no egg. Are they of same-sex?
One do exhibit the behavior of a male, feeds the other one etc. Once I kept a nesting box attached to the cage just in case.. but no eggs so far.

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