Breeding sessions are hard work for lovebirds, so much energy is drained. In the
breeding session, the female lovebirds will be busy building a nest by carrying whatever material they provide.
Building a nest can take 5 - 7 days. Sometimes, male lovebirds also help females build nests, but not all males
are willing to do so.
After the nest box is full of material and ready to go, the lovebirds immediately have a mating. The following job of
the female lovebird is to lay 4 - 5 eggs. Usually, eggs hatch every two days. After all the eggs have been removed, the female lovebirds begin
incubating.
Usually, the first egg will hatch within an incubation time of 21 - 22 days, counting from the last egg removed.
The incubation period requires that the female lovebirds stay in the nest box as long as possible. At that time, the role of male lovebirds was vital; they would bring food to feed the female lovebirds.
Table of Contents
How to treat the lovebirds after the breeding Sessions
The most challenging job of a couple is that when all the eggs have hatched, the male and female lovebirds will be busy all day eating and feeding the chicks in the nest box.
This phase lasts 50 days and depends on the chicks' growth. Sometimes, after more than 60 days, some chicks still ask for bribes. From each phase that lovebirds do, there must be special treatment after the lovebird's breeding session.
Bathe the lovebirds and give them time to sunbathe after breeding sessions
A pair of lovebirds, at the time of the breeding session, have no time to groom themselves, so the condition of the fur will be damaged and dirty.
Bathing lovebirds and giving them time to sunbathe will encourage them to groom themselves and grow feathers that fall out during breeding sessions.
Stretching the lovebirds' muscles in a large cage after breeding sessions
When breeding lovebirds is carried out in a small cage measuring only 40cm x 60cm, it will make their movement limited.
Female lovebirds stay in the nest box throughout the breeding phase. Placing lovebirds in a large cage will provide plenty of room to fly as a stretch and facilitate metabolism.
This will minimize fat accumulation in lovebirds, especially females because it can cause reproductive disorders.
Separating male and female lovebirds
The placement of lovebirds in a large cage is recommended to separate lovebirds. This is to avoid getting tired of the couple. There is no need to worry because the lovebirds will not look away; they will be easily matched back when you have your next breeding session with the same couple.
Give vegetables and protein after breeding sessions.
In this resting phase, lovebirds need many protein sources for cell recovery and feather growth. Egg food should be available daily; dried egg and gold patee from Versele Laga are good enough.
You can also give a bunch of chopped vegetables and a few grated boiled eggs to mix. That's also great. It's just that you can only leave this food for up to 1 day.
Source of calcium for lovebirds after breeding sessions
The calcium source will help the lovebirds' bones, especially the females when forming egg shells.
Calcium can be found in powder mixed in wet food or in whole NUS fish bones. Now, mineral blocks are also more practical and continue to be available
on the market.
The rest phase and special treatment of lovebirds after breeding sessions are crucial. This is done to produce a quality generation.
The most important thing is to minimize reproductive disorders in lovebirds. Because many breeders do not take breeding breaks, they can only reproduce in short, vulnerable periods and end up with infertile eggs.