How to Trigger Breeding Behavior in an Indoor Aviary
Most birds kept by breeders, including parrots, are opportunistic seasonal breeders. When kept outdoors, there is rarely any need to take steps to trigger breeding behavior, because the birds are exposed to changes in the weather and the the length of a day. Breeding birds in an indoor aviary presents a greater challenge due to the use of artificial lighting and climate-control systems. This can be advantageous as well, since the owner of the aviary has much more control over when the birds breed.
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Things You'll Need
- Artificial lighting
- Heating and air-conditioning system
- Fresh foods
- Overhead mister or sprinkler (optional)
- Thin plywood (optional)
Instructions
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Gradually increase the amount of time the lights are on to mimic the changing seasons. At the peak of summer (or in an artificial summer), the lights should be left on for 14 to 16 hours.
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Increase the temperature in the aviary gradually along with the lights. In general, a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees during the day (with cooler nights) is ideal to trigger most species to breed.
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Increase the variety and quantity of food you offer your birds as breeding season approaches. A bountiful supply of fresh food, especially calorically dense items like sprouted seeds, mimics the natural increase in food supply that initiates breeding behavior in wild birds.
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Turn on a mister or overhead sprinkler system frequently, if you have one. This serves two purposes: It mimics spring and summer rain, and it raises the ambient humidity. Both of these factors will encourage most birds to begin nesting.
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Try partially blocking the entrance to the nest box with a thin piece of plywood that the birds can chew through. In the wild, parrots nest in cavities, and chewing away the wood mimics the work they would need to do when making a nest. This often encourages stubborn birds to reproduce.
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Tips & Warnings
Although this advice applies to most species of birds bred in the United States, some unusual specie, such as the small Poicephalus, are winter breeders and will require different environmental changes to trigger breeding.
To avoid difficulty in cleaning and problems with mold and bacteria growth, all surfaces in an indoor aviary should be disinfected. Slightly sloped, sealed concrete floors are strongly recommended. Ventilation and air filtration are also very important to prevent the spread of disease and maintain air quality.
Full-spectrum lighting helps prevent Vitamin D deficiency, but the bulbs must be replaced frequently. Consult your avian veterinarian to determine whether your birds require Vitamin D supplementation, regardless of the light source used.
Never use this method to encourage birds to produce an excessive number of clutches. This may lead to serious health problems, especially in the hen.
Good hygienic practices are always necessary in an aviary, but are critically important when the environment is warm and moist. Disinfect thoroughly and frequently to prevent severe health problems in your birds.
