Psittacine Incubation Techniques, Incubation Periods, and First Generation Captive Raised Breeding (Egg laying) Data

Dedicated to the Birds of the World

PSITTACINE INCUBATION

E. Trent Swigert

Parrot Jungle

Formerly - Curator of Birds

Avicultural Breeding & Research Center

Loxahatchee, Florida USA

Excerpted from the Proceedings of the International Aviculturists Society, January, 1997,  Fort Meyers, FL

The basis for successful incubation and subsequent hatching of psittacine eggs is owed to the poultry industry. Advancements made by this industry in the areas of stock selection, nutrition and incubation techniques has benefited the aviculturist by increasing productivity of his or her birds.

The benefits of increased production through properly managed incubation programs will ensure more offspring for the establishment of future generations. Increased production will meet the demands of the pet industry and aviculture increasing revenue for the aviculturist. However, incubation should not be used as a tool merely for mass production of your breeding stock year after year resulting in birds whose health is threatened by overproduction. With the decrease in availability of breeding stock the longevity of your breeding program is more important than short term gains.

At ABRC, we currently use a combination of artificial and natural incubation. In this paper I will be discussing incubation techniques utilized for macaws, cockatoos, amazons, African Grey parrots and Eclectus parrots.

At the beginning of each breeding season the aviculturist should evaluate the previous history of breeding successes or failures of each pair of birds housed in their collection. Some of the general information kept on each pair should include whether they will incubate their eggs, size of clutch, number of clutches laid during the previous year, and if they are egg eaters. Detailed records are essential for making incubation decisions for current and future breeding seasons.

Whether you use natural, artificial or even foster parent incubation success rates and procedure opinions vary. However, pulling the eggs at day one for artificial incubation appears to decrease hatchability when compared to pulling the eggs after a brief ( 7 - 14 days) period of natural incubation. Further, pulling the eggs from nesting pairs as soon as they are laid may increase the number of eggs laid in that clutch. This approach may be beneficial in increasing the number of chicks produced by rarer species.

Besides good incubation techniques the aviculturist should start with having a healthy collection of birds, provide the flock with proper nutrition, housing and nest boxes.

Presently at ABRC we are using the combined methods of natural and artificial incubation. Whenever possible eggs are left in the nest box for the first two and one-half weeks before being pulled for artificial incubation. Once breeding seasons begins each individual nest box is checked every other morning. The known problem pairs are checked daily to avoid broken eggs. On cooler mornings the nest boxes are checked later in the day so that eggs are not cooled when the female is forced from the nest box by inspection. Here at ABRC, pairs are allowed to produce a maximum of four clutches of eggs per year. This maximum is allowed only if the pair is producing quality eggs. Most species of psittacines will not produce four clutches of eggs each year. If needed the nest box is removed for three months to allow the female time to rest and is then replaced for the reminder of the breeding season.

Once eggs are discovered in the nest box they are examined for imperfections. If there are any cracks or malformed eggs they are immediately removed and placed in the incubators. Cracked eggs are sealed with fingernail polish instead of white glue, because the nail polish provides a better seal for the egg and will dry much quicker than white glue. Eggs are left for the female to incubate for at least ten days to ensure some development has occurred. At this point the eggs are candled for signs of fertility. Any infertile eggs are removed and placed in the incubators for two extra days to make certain the parents were sitting the eggs properly. Pulling the infertile eggs will often stimulate the hen to recycle sooner. Fertile eggs are left in the nest box for 7 more days based on the date the first egg in the clutch was laid. For example a blue and gold macaw would be allowed to sit eggs for total of 20 days. The following charts show the average incubation periods for several different species of psittacines.

Amazons:

Cockatoos:

Macaws:

Other parrots:

In order to allow all of the eggs in the clutch (average of three eggs per clutch) a two week period of natural incubation, the eggs would all be removed from the nest box and placed in the incubator when the first egg is approximately 20 days old.

Egg removal from nest boxes can be a difficult task. Psittacine hens can be very reluctant to leave the nest box when sitting on eggs, causing eggs to be broken by either the hen or the aviculturist during removal. One way to lessen this problem is to design your nest boxes with the inspection door large enough to place a small bird net or aquarium net inside. The net can be used to separate the hen from the eggs without damage occurring. A flat headed shovel could also be used when dealing with aggressive birds. It has been my experience that amazons, eclectus and macaws are the most difficult species from which to pull eggs.

Once the eggs are removed they are placed in a small bowl filled with a parakeet seed mix or millet. At this time the egg is marked with a number 2 pencil and each egg is dated according to the "pull" date. The cage number and species is written on the egg for identification. Later the egg will be given an identification number so it can be used for the records. Felt tipped pens should not be used for marking because the dyes may be absorbed through the shell. The eggs are placed on their side or with the small end buried in the seed mix for immediate transport to the incubators. This type of placement is used to reduce the chances of embryonic damage from jarring during transport.

Eggs removed from the nest that are warm should not be allowed to cool before being placed in the incubator. Eggs that are found to be cool should be allowed to reach room temperature before being placed in the incubator. Drastic fluctuations in temperatures may cause severe damage to the embryo.

Prior to placement in the incubator, the egg is candled to check its progress and measurements are taken of the egg’s length and breadth. If the egg is pulled immediately after it was laid (as in the case of a problem pair) a fresh egg weight is recorded. A developing egg theoretically should lose between 15 to 17 percent of its weight during the incubation period. The egg is then placed in one of the incubators according to its size and species, smaller eggs require more frequent egg rotation and certain species require more or less humidity.

Currently at ABRC we are using Grumbach for our incubation equipment. The model 20 Humidare is utilized primarily as a hatcher. The average temperature setting for all of our psittacine eggs is 37.4 Celsius with a wet bulb of 43 to 48 percent relative humidity. The humidity setting varies from species to species and is primarily based on the geographical region of the species origin. The temperature in the hatcher is lowered to between 98.5 to 99.0 F with the wet bulb increased to 92 to 94 F. To increase the humidity in the hatcher an extra pan of distilled water is placed in the bottom of the hatcher. Only distilled water is used in the incubators and hatchers because it reduces the accumulation of mineral deposits. All incubators and hatchers are cleaned and disinfected every six weeks, and after the breeding season has ended. Yearly fumigation of all equipment is performed using formaldehyde.

To obtain good results using artificial incubation, the structure where your incubators are housed should be kept at a constant temperature of 70 F with the humidity maintained between 50 to 55 percent. This reduces any temperature fluctuations in the incubators. The room should also be equipped with a power generator and surge protectors if your area is prone to power fluctuations and lightning.

The eggs are candled each morning and evening to monitor their development. Once the chick progresses to the point of drawdown it is placed on the bottom of the incubator. This procedure allows the chick to position itself for internal pipping. When external pipping has occurred the egg is removed from the incubator and a pip weight is recorded. The egg is then placed in a container and moved to the hatcher. The eggs are also candled in the hatcher to make certain there are no problems during the hatching process. Once the chick has hatched, it is weighed, given an identification number for computer record keeping and transferred to the nursery where the hand feeding process begins.

As with the breeding of psittacines, there is also many differing opinions and theories in regard to incubation procedures. ABRC experiences successes and failures as does any individual or facility working in the areas of psittacine incubation. We have over the past nine years been able to refine many of the techniques we currently use in our incubation program based on these successes and failures. As aviculture moves forward in its efforts to supply the demands of an ever growing pet trade from domestic birds, the area of incubation will play a larger role in propagation, and an aid to conservation efforts for dwindling species. It is our hope that we discover through our efforts better methods of psittacine incubation to preserve and aid captive breeding. With the closing of importation, captive bred offspring will be of major importance in our ability to replenish our aging breeding stock.

The following data was collected at ABRC showing when first generation offspring initially produced eggs.

An * indicates pairs.