Birds getting ready to brood

Tuesday 1 January 2013 in the category General care

Birds in nature are ready to brood when the circumstances (time, light, temperature and food) develop favourably in their biotope. Usually after the (cold) wet period, the gradual increase in light, rise in temperature and wider variation of food sources bring the birds in brooding condition:  a hormonal process that generally lasts six weeks. This law of nature also applies for birds in aviculture.

Birds live in an ever recurring cycle of rest, breeding and moulting periods. During breeding and moulting time, a great deal of effort is required of the birds; the young are reared and new feathers are formed. This is possible through a very intensive metabolism during breeding and moulting, whereby the body reserves are used. The bird consequently needs a period in which it can replenish these reserves. There is a specific time for this:  the rest period.

Furthermore, the bird breeder must be aware of the sexually mature age of the different bird species. Whereas canaries reach such age at around one year, large parakeets and parrots may take two years or longer, depending on the species. Wishing to breed with too young birds will often lead to a less satisfactory (breeding) result. 

Getting ready to brood is also due to a gradual increase in the quantity of light which sets the hormonal process in motion. A steady rise in temperature, without major temperature fluctuations between day and night, is important particularly in early breeding. 

A greater variety in diet such as high-grade proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and micro-nutrients, contribute to breeding birds getting ready for brooding. Only when sufficient feedstuffs are provided to the egg, can the egg develop into a viable chick.

Birds getting ready to brood