All birds reproduce by laying eggs. Eggs are produced inside the female and then deposited in a nest. In captive female birds, egg laying, which is actually the equivalent of ovulation in mammals, can happen without fertilization or even the presence of a male. In some species, both female and male birds sit on the nest, while other species either leave this chore to the female only or leave it to nature to provide the warmth needed by the developing chick. In most species of pet birds, both parents are actively involved in incubation, feeding, and caring for the chicks.
Breeding birds and rearing chicks is best undertaken by an experienced bird owner. Most individual pet birds will not breed successfully in captivity. Requirements for breeding are complex and vary by species. Giving the full range of information is beyond the scope of this book.
If you are planning to breed your bird, you should have a thorough understanding of what is involved. By contacting and talking with an experienced breeder, you can learn about incubating, hatching, feeding, and judging whether or not your bird can or will take care of the chicks. Many inexperienced birds have trouble learning to care for their offspring, leaving the owner no choice but hand rearing the chicks. This can be quite challenging and time consuming, as the chicks must be fed on a regular schedule throughout the day. Hand raising also decreases a bird’s immune system strength, increases the chance of infection, and decreases necessary parental bonds. This can lead to behavioral problems later in life, similar to the relative attachment disorder seen in human babies deprived of physical contact.
Most male birds do not have a penis, which can be confusing for pet owners when trying to identify the sex of their birds. Identification of a male bird may be possible based on feather coloration or other physical features. However, most parrots are not sexually dimorphic—that is, males and females look the same. Sperm is produced in reproductive organs located well inside the body and then expelled into the female during copulation, in what is termed cloacal kissing.
In most female birds, only the left ovary is present. The ovary produces an unshelled egg which may then be fertilized by the deposited sperm. The newly fertilized egg then travels through the female, passing through several glands that add the egg white fluid (albumin) and deposit layers of shell material over the egg. The shelled egg is then expelled through the cloaca and deposited in the nest.
Female birds are receptive to male attention only at certain times of the year and under certain conditions (such as the presence of adequate nest boxes). Ask your veterinarian about breeding cycles for your species of bird. Also, female birds can be quite choosy about their mates; you may find that it will take several tries and exposure to different males, for your female to mate successfully. Factors such as age, environment, light cycle, presence of a suitable nest box, available food types, socialization, presence of other birds, and the presence or absence of potential predators (for example, dogs) will all influence whether birds will mate.
The time between mating to laying a fertilized egg and the length of egg incubation also varies between species. Your avian veterinarian can provide accurate estimates for your bird.
How Do Birds Lay Eggs?
Female birds ovulate (small swellings that burst) on a regular basis from their ovaries, just like women do. They do this independently of males. Female birds do not menstruate, although ovulation causes women to do so. As an alternative, their ova, also known as ovulated follicles, pass through their bodies and emerge as the well-known hard-shelled eggs.
Although wild female birds ovulate year-round, they typically increase their reproductive activity in response to environmental cues, such as longer days and warmer temperatures in the spring, in order to get ready to lay eggs and raise young. Because they are typically not exposed to these variations in light and temperature, pet birds living in our homes may ovulate and lay eggs year-round.
Care of Newborns and Young Birds
It takes skill and effort to successfully breed and raise birds, and most bird owners won’t do it. This section is not intended to be a comprehensive manual for raising young birds; rather, it is meant to offer general information.
Most pet bird species have blind and featherless chicks at birth. Within one to two weeks, depending on the species of bird, the eyes open. For smaller birds like macaws, feathering takes about a month, but for larger birds, it can take up to five months.
Diseases in young chicks can be decreased with proper breeding care, hygienic practices, proper nutrition, nursery management, and egg incubation (if necessary). Make sure the cage is kept out of any drafts and in a warm location. Generally speaking, it is best to keep a close eye on chicks to make sure their parents are providing them with the proper care rather than disturbing them. If the babies don’t seem to be doing well, get in touch with your avian veterinarian right away to learn how to raise them by hand.
As the chicks grow older, it’s typical for them to consume nonfood objects that could be in the cage. Loose bedding is a favorite for the curious chick. This behavior could be the result of ordinary curiosity, boredom, or an apparently voracious appetite. As a result, juvenile birds frequently find foreign objects in the crop. The object might be moved back up the esophagus by a veterinarian so that it can be physically retrieved. Surgery may be necessary in many situations, just like with foreign objects like jewelry screws, glass, and other potentially abrasive items.
When birds consume food that is overheated, they get crop burns. This is seen most commonly in baby birds being hand-fed. It usually happens when water that has been heated in a bowl in the microwave is combined with the powdered formula. Even though it seems like a manageable temperature (103 to 105°F, 39 4 to 40. 6°C), the mixture will keep getting warmer as it takes in heat from the bowl. There are big differences in the burn’s intensity and the bird’s response. Despite receiving intense care, some birds may not recover from the tissue damage and become ill. The burn is only discovered when food or a hole is observed in the crop area; other birds show no symptoms.
Within a few days, if the burn is minor, the skin’s surface will swell and turn red. In the event that the burn is severe, the chick might become critically ill, refuse to eat again, and require emergency veterinary care. The extent of tissue damage determines the kind of treatment. Antibiotics and topical ointments can be used to treat mild burns, but surgery to repair the damage and life-saving supportive care may be necessary for severe burns.
This illness, which is brought on by a diet high in fat, can appear in hand-reared chicks, especially cockatoo chicks. Frequently, owners feed high-fat formulas (intended for macaws) to inappropriate species or are ignorant of the risks associated with mixing peanut butter, oil, or other high-fat foods with the standard commercial formula. Fat accumulates in the liver, interfering with normal liver function. Fatty liver disease usually causes parrot chicks to be heavy for their age and have severe breathing difficulties.
Reducing the quantity of food given in a single feeding, eliminating sources of excess fat, and incorporating digestive aids like lactulose into the formula are all part of the treatment. Birds should be handled gently and as little as possible. In order to try to save the chick, the veterinarian may need to administer oxygen, injectable fluids, antibiotics, and other supportive care if the disease is not identified in a timely manner and breathing difficulties have already developed.
How Does an Egg Develop?
As embryos, birds have two ovaries. With the exception of certain raptor species and Australia’s brown kiwi, most birds regress their right ovary as they mature, leaving only their left ovary to develop.
The developing follicle on the surface of the ovary ruptures to release the egg, or ovum, which then enters the funnel-shaped end of the oviduct, which resembles a woman’s fallopian tube. This tiny bundle of cells travels down the oviduct with a coating of yolk around it, which, should the egg be fertilized, serves as the “food” source for the growing embryo. After that, the membranes inside the egg, the shell, and another layer of albumen, or “white,” are applied to the ovum inside the yolk.
The hard shell, which is the last to be added while the egg is still in the uterus and right before it exits the bird’s body through the cloaca, contains calcium and other minerals. This common chamber of the cloaca is where the reproductive tract, urogenital (reproductive and urinary) tract, and gastrointestinal tract empty.
Through the vent opening, birds transfer their eggs from inside their cloacas to the exterior of their bodies. This is also the exit point for both urine and stool (the white, solid, chalky part of the urine and the clear liquid urine).
For the egg to properly deflate and not become stuck, its pointed end needs to be facing the vent. In the event that it is not, or if the egg is large, birds may experience difficulties laying, become “egg-bound,” and need veterinary assistance in order to lay the egg.
The majority of parrots require up to two days for the egg to exit the ovary, travel through the oviduct, and exit the vent. Therefore, female parrots can typically lay an egg every other day!
FAQ
How do birds deliver eggs?
Are birds pregnant before they lay eggs?
Do all birds lay eggs without mating?
How can a female bird lay eggs without a male?