Do lovebirds need a nesting box in order to breed?

Question

I have a pair of lovebirds, who have not mated with each other at all, and I was told they are male and female by the people that gave them to me. I was told I needed to get them DNA tested to really be able to tell whether they are male and female. But I was curious will they naturally try to mate WITHOUT a nesting box.... or will they never mate with each other unless I HAVE a nesting box? Please help!! Need this info to determine whether or not to buy a nesting box, or to take them and have them DNA tested.

Answer 1

If we are talking about peachfaced lovebirds, then no, they do not require a nesting box to mate and lay eggs. Other species are usually a little more demanding and want a box before they lay. If you want the eggs to actually hatch, get a nest box!

Lovebirds will lay eggs on the floor of the cage and sometimes try to incubate them there. Most of the time the eggs just roll around the flat floor and the babies won't develop.

If you get a nestbox, and they lay eggs, it is still not 100% positive you have a true pair. Two females will 'play house' and both will lay eggs in the same nest box. You can tell if both are laying if eggs are being laid more frequentlyl than every other day, or if you end up with more than 7 eggs at one time (most lovebirds won't lay more than 7 per clutch).

Answer 2

They do need a nest box to breed. Lovebirds are cavity breeders. Part of the preparation to mate involved preparing the nest. Lovebirds are a little different than many parrot species in that they like to stuff the next box with stuff. I had Masked Lovebirds and they would tear apart sticks and leaves and add shredded paper towel. Their box was a real mess! :-)

Answer 3

If you only have one love bird, then the egg will , of course, be infertile. Some hens just like to lay eggs. You should be able to clean the cage as usual. You don't want it to get a crack and begin to spoil from the wire cage bottom, that would bring bacteria into her cage. Chances are if you discard the egg she will lay another one with a couple days. One of my single birds liked a tissue box for hers. A love bird nest box can get pretty messy! You might want to pick up a book on lovebirds especially if you get the notion to breed a bunch.

Answer 4

Yes, you will need a nest box.

Please make sure that they are on a good diet BEFORE breeding. Make sure they have added calcium to their diets.

http://www.parrotparrot.com/lovebirds/breeding.htm - How to breed lovebirds


http://www.avianbiotech.com/ - DNA testing

Answer 5

most generally birds require a nesting box to breed.
they are inexpensive and come in many sizes. be sure to choose the proper size for your birds, the pet shop can tell you the proper size to get. most books about the species can tell you what to look for to determine the sex of a bird

Answer 6

Yes they definitely need it there not going to put the eggs in the ground

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

call a vet or pet store and ask

Answer 9

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