How Often Do Parrots Breed? (We’ve Got The Answer)

Parrot owners always want the best for their flying friends, and one of these moments is when they want to pair their parrots with a mate. Hence, you may have chanced upon this question and dread answering it as soon as possible. 

Most parrots will only breed and reproduce once a year because they need sufficient sustenance of food necessary to sustain and lay eggs. It also depends on the classification of their species, as some parrots breed thrice a year. Smaller parrots with a short lifespan are more likely to lay eggs frequently. 

As much as possible, parrot owners such as yourself should maintain their female parrots’ condition and prevent them from laying eggs for more than three years.

In this article, you’ll find everything relevant to parrot breeding and egg-laying. 

When Do Parrots Lay Eggs? 

Alright! You now have a parrot in your home. Assuming that you are handling everything pretty well, and the only problem is you’re wondering, “How frequently do parrots lay eggs?” 

To answer, a parrot in captivity lays eggs once a year, which happens any time of the year. It only depends on the mating activity of your coupled parrots, stable temperature patterns, and their healthy diet and daily food intake. These two are the significant factors in the frequency of your parrots’ reproduction and breeding. 

Is It Easy To Breed Parrots? 

In the blog of Parrot Website, John elaborated on the breeding convenience amongst parrots. To provide you with the details, just for context, parrots are usually high maintenance. One parrot is a lot of work; what more if you add another one. (source) 

Whatever your reason for breeding your parrot, the maintenance of several parrots can be a handful if you’re easily overwhelmed. However, this may work for you if you love the challenge. But is it easy to breed parrots? 

The answer is no; parrots are inherently fussy and overscrupulous. The reason is that breeding is a lot of work, commitment, cash, and knowledge. On the other hand, it is truly a rewarding experience once you breed your parrots successfully. 

Do Parrots Breed All The Time? 

It’s highly probable that you are looking forward to breeding your parrot with its mate. It indicates that you care for your parrots’ condition and situation. Breeding is a nerve-wracking experience because parrots tend to have challenging mating times. 

Parrots can lay eggs once or thrice a year, depending on your parrots’ health and physical disposition. It’s also essential to note that smaller parrots with a shorter life cycle lay more eggs than those with a larger and longer life span. Now, even if your female parrots can breed three times a year—assuming this is true to some—it’s crucial to avoid laying too many eggs. 

Excessive reproduction can negatively harm a female parrot’s physical situation. Parrots, especially females, are vulnerable to enormous physical stress. The more your female parrot lays eggs, the more it harms their health. Thus, as parrot owners, redirecting your birds’ mating activity is a massive responsibility and commitment. 

How Many Eggs Do Parrot Lay? 

In the blog All About Parrots, Carrie explained that normal-sized parrots generally lay 2 to 4 eggs yearly. In contrast, smaller parrots may lay eggs 1 to 3 times a year. The factors that affect their egg-laying boil down to the weather patterns and their physical health. Furthermore, other parrots are not likely to lay eggs if it’s not the best season or if there’s no mate in the first place. (source)

Parrot owners should remember to keep the end in mind. It means that the adult parrots’ circumstances are the top priority in this encounter. Another fact to remember is that not all parrots’ egg-laying activity is the same for all. Often, each species of parrot differs from its breeding season. Some parrots may lay 2 to 5 eggs while others may reproduce 2 to 8 eggs yearly. 

Finally, it is common for parrots to lay these eggs for 1 to 2 days. Parrots will incubate the eggs when laying two or more eggs. The eggs will take about 30 days to hatch. 

What Are The Telltale Signs For Egg Laying? 

When you have a female parrot with a male counterpart, rest assured that your female parrot will lay eggs. Sometimes, it’s hard to point out or identify the symptoms if your female parrot will lay eggs. Fortunately, telltale signs will help determine if your parrots will soon lay eggs. 

Below are the typical telltale signs posted on the blog Bird News:

• You may observe your caged parrots constantly scratching their bottoms. 
• Parrots are more talkative and louder than usual. Owners may hear grunts and high tones. 
• Female parrots may be bloated and sometimes constipated. 
• Weight is heavier than before. 

These symptoms may help you prepare for what’s to come. (source)

What’s The Best Age For Parrots To Lay Eggs? 

The best and appropriate way for female parrots to lay eggs is from 1 to 19 years old. But, as mentioned in other lists, it depends on their species. 

List Of Sexual Maturity Ages Of Unique Kinds Of Parrots

Parrot Classification	Sexual Maturity Age
Amazon	3 to 5 years
Large Parakeet	6 to 10 months
Lovebirds	1-year
Parrotlets	10 months

That said, you should identify the species of parrots you have as pets. In this case, you will not stay wondering what’s the best maturity age for your birds to start breeding. 

How To Prepare For Egg-Laying Season? 

In the blog post from Bird Cages Here posted on June 8, 2022, Humaira mentioned that it’s best to make your parrots comfortable in their environment. The reason is that female parrots shed a lot of nutrients and minerals, specifically calcium and sulfur. 

Hence, it’s vital to be prepared to provide them with many essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fats to enable your female parrot to thrive and live healthily. Lastly, never forget to contact your local veterinarian for a thorough and more professional look. 

Best Actions To Take

1. Consult An Aviary Or Trusted Veterinarian. 

These experts will help female parrots pass an internally formed egg. In this case, if there are internal issues in egg-laying, your trusted aviary vet will be with your companion along the way. 

2. Set Up A Comfortable Nest 

With this, try to stock up on essential portions with fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and freshwater. Make sure that their cages will not endanger sensitive eggs. 

3. Check If Your Female Parrots Are Incubating

There are times that female parrots will ignore their recently hatched eggs. Allow your female parrots to take care of their eggs by monitoring them regularly. 

4. Hands Off The Eggs

Female parrots may become aggressive, especially if laid and attached to their eggs. Keep a reasonable distance on their eggs. Instead, feed the birds to calm them. 

5. Avoid Removing The Eggs

Some female parrots ignore their eggs. It takes them two days for them to decide to incubate these eggs. So, give time and make sure to observe your bird. Removing those eggs may result in your parrots being depressed. 

6. Tail Twitching

Another good indicator that shows the symptoms is that female parrots are about to lay eggs. 

7. Overeating

It means that your birds are consuming more than usual is a good sign that they’re feeding for two now. 

Why Do Parrots Lay Eggs? 

Some may think that parrots lay eggs or begin mating when springtime comes, but it’s not always the case. There are other significant considerations on the parrot’s egg-laying or mating. 

1. Exposure To Sunlight 

More exposure to the sun’s rays means parrots can now forage food. This instinct only happens more to wild birds. In the case of a captive parrot, portions are sufficient. Regardless, exposure to sunlight can stimulate egg-laying. 

2. A Great Amount Of Food

If there’s a substantial amount of food supply, birds have a higher chance to breed anytime. Providing your parrots with additional food may influence reproduction. 

3. Additional Energy

Instinctively, parrots have a wide range of energy due to their wild habits. These energies are allocated to foraging food and maintaining the flock’s safety. So, if your parrot has a limited time to be physically active and or mentally stimulated, it will have reserved energy for procreation. A good cue for parrots to mate with their opposites. 

4. Mating Match

Other birds’ presence can increase the chances of breeding and mating. In this case, it potentially increases the possibility of laying eggs. But, this case is true for male-to-female mating activity. 

All in all, these are the potential reasons and factors why parrots lay eggs. One thing would be inevitable if a female and male interacted and mated. Then egg laying is a probability. 

Why Do Parrots Lay Eggs? 

Supposed to say that your female parrots already laid their eggs; what now? 

When female parrots lay eggs, they lose a massive amount of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Protein, calcium, and fats will be shed and can make your female parrot weak. So, pay closer attention and ensure that an available and appropriate food source is nearby. Water should be fresh at all times. 

Finally, investing in a high-quality diet or food source is the best way to replenish your parrot’s energy, vital nutrients, and minerals. 

Is It Hard To Take Care of Parrot Hatchlings? 

Parrots are high maintenance and need attention. It is a huge responsibility and commitment if a set of hatchlings begins to grow at a mature age. Hatchlings are prone to complications that can rack up your bills. 

If you’re not a breeder, it’s best to avoid mating or breeding. In this case, you prevent the risk of guilt when you remove eggs from your parrot’s cage; thus, separating parrots when mating season is the best solution. But despite meticulousness and caution, your female parrot laid eggs. The most appropriate action is to remove the eggs when the female parrot is unaware. And replace it with fake eggs to make sure that nothing has changed. 

Allowing the female parrots that recently laid eggs to see you removing their eggs leads to aggression and depression. 

What To Watch Out For About Parrot Breeding? 

Assuming that you’re ready to breed your parrots since you want another set of winged buddies or want to earn passive cash on the side, as parrot owners, it’s essential to have an idea of the possible complications or aftershocks of egg-laying or breeding. 

In the blog of Birds Coo, they listed three potential breeding problems. (source)

1. Chronic Egg Laying 

This instance happens when female parrots lay more eggs than the expected number of eggs. Parrots that experience these problems have a high-fat and high-calorie diet. If you do not urgently treat this condition or illness, it will affect the eggs’ maturity. 

2. Egg Binding 

It happens when calcium and vitamin A are deficient. It is a critical reproductive disease wherein eggs get stuck in the cloaca. Thus, the eggs produced will be deformed and misshapen. 

3. Cystic Ovarian Disease

Most common if female parrots lay eggs more frequently. Most parrots having this disease may have formed egg-yolk peritonitis. (source)

Final Thoughts

Indeed, breeding and mating parrots is a fantastic process of life that you can bear as a witness. But, with less knowledge and background on parrots, this will lead to a colossal disaster—not just for you but also for your flying friends. So, conscientious research is necessary before deciding to breed your parrot. In which you can easily prepare and be ready.