Green Cheeked Conure Breeding ( Avian Vet Reviewed)
Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Ali Shahid
Breeding green-cheeked conures is not for the faint of heart. Breeding Green Cheek Conures requires creating a suitable environment and adhering to specific guidelines. These birds, scientifically known as Pyrrhura molinae, typically breed once a year, mainly during February. They possess a varied diet, enjoying fruits, seeds, nuts, and even flowers in their natural surroundings. Interestingly, when kept as pets, they can imitate household sounds and human speech.
To facilitate breeding, secure a tall nesting box and appropriate nesting materials. Notably, February marks their breeding season, aligning with the summer period in their indigenous regions. Observing the female bird frequently entering the nesting box or positioning herself against its walls indicates her readiness to breed. It’s worth noting that both male and female conures take turns incubating the eggs for about 22 to 25 days.
Maintaining a nutritious diet is crucial for their well-being. Incorporate foods like RoudyBush, Nupreen, Higgins, and a specialized blend from a reputable exotic bird store, supplemented with calcium. Additionally, enrich their diet with fresh items such as apples, broccoli, lettuce, and millet. Ensuring they receive full-spectrum lighting for 5 hours and regular light for 12 hours daily is beneficial for their health.
If you encounter challenges like unviable eggs, consider removing them from the nestbox for examination using candling techniques over a three-day period. If the eggs remain unhatched, a brief separation of the breeding pair might be necessary before reintroducing them. In this article, I will cover the basics of successful conure breeding and what you need to know before getting started.
Choosing the Right Breeding Pair
When it comes to green-cheeked conure breeding, choosing a compatible pair is the key to successful outcomes. It is important to start with two birds that are healthy and of the same species.
It is recommended that they are both around the same age. If you don’t already have birds of your own, it is best to purchase them from a reputable breeder.
Once you have found your two birds, you will need to observe their behavior while they are together. Look for signs of aggression such as lunging or biting, as well as signs of compatibility like preening to each other or sitting close together.
If one bird appears agitated in the presence of the other, it may not be a good match for breeding purposes. In addition, make sure both birds are eating and drinking normally when in each other’s company.
When you feel comfortable that your chosen pair is compatible and healthy, then you can proceed with setting up their cage for breeding.
Preparing an Appropriate Environment
Creating an environment that is suitable for green-cheeked conure breeding requires careful attention to detail. Every effort should be made to set up the space with the bird’s well-being in mind, as this will help ensure successful breeding.
The cage should be large enough to accommodate two birds and provide plenty of room for them to move around comfortably. It should also include several perches of varying sizes and textures, as well as toys and other items to keep the birds occupied.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and quality seeds should be provided regularly, with fresh water available at all times. In addition, the area must be kept clean and free from anything that could cause potential harm or distress to the birds.
Creating a safe and comfortable breeding environment for your green-cheeked conures will set you up for success.
Incubating and Hatching Eggs
When setting up a nestbox for your green-cheeked conure, the right environment is key. In general, nest boxes should measure 12 by 12 by 18 inches, but if space allows, 16 by 24 inches is better.
The box should be placed in an area free from extreme temperatures and drafts, as well as away from loud noises. It should also be lined with materials such as wood shavings or sawdust to provide insulation and comfort for the nesting birds.
Once the nestbox has been set up, it is time to incubate and hatch eggs. Incubation will typically take between 22-25 days and requires a consistent temperature of 95-97 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire process.
During this time, it’s important to check on the eggs regularly to make sure they’re developing properly and that there are no cracks or abnormalities in them.
If the female does not sit on eggs for 10 days dispose of the eggs. Once hatched, baby conures will need frequent feedings of soft foods like fruits and vegetables until they can eat on their own.
Feeding and Raising Young
Once the young green-cheeked conures are hatched, they require special care and feeding to ensure healthy growth and development.
For the first four weeks of life, feed the chicks a diet consisting of soft food such as boiled eggs, mashed vegetables, and cooked grains.
This should be offered two to three times per day in small amounts that can be easily consumed by the chicks. After four weeks, introduce a seed mix along with their regular diet to provide more nutrients.
It is important to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of fresh food available at all times for the young birds. Make sure any food left uneaten is removed after a few hours to prevent spoilage.
To encourage socialization, handle the birds frequently while they are still young so they become comfortable with human interaction.
As they grow older, provide plenty of toys and items for them to explore so they can stay engaged mentally and physically.
Common Breeding Challenges
Green-cheeked conure breeding can be a rewarding process, but it does come with some common challenges. The biggest challenge is finding a compatible pair of birds that will breed successfully.
To do this, it is important to look at the conures’ age, health, fertility, and overall temperament. If they don’t get along well or seem overly aggressive when they’re together, it’s best to look for another pair.
It is not recommended to breed green cheek conures if they are younger than 3 years old. Ideally, for green cheek conures, a pair should be 3 years old or older before breeding.
The development of bad breeding habits in young birds can ruin their breeding potential. For example, young hens are more likely to become egg-bound. Some pairs also start eating eggs.
It is unknown exactly why some pairs eat their eggs. In many cases, this problem can be attributed to a lack of nutrition for the hen. Eventually, she becomes accustomed to eating eggs.
The habit is unlikely to be broken easily. An egg eater will also consume fertile eggs. Therefore, it is unlikely that it is related to fertility. At least on the first day, the birds are unlikely to be aware of the fact that the eggs are fertile.
The development of an egg begins at least 48 hours after it is laid. Furthermore, there are also environmental considerations to remember. It is important to provide an adequate nesting space that is dark and quiet for the birds to breed in peace.
The temperature should be kept relatively stable throughout the year as well. If these conditions aren’t met, the birds may not be successful in producing offspring.
With proper preparation and care though, many owners can have successful green-cheeked conure breeding experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Cage Size For A Green Cheeked Conure Breeding Pair?
When it comes to cage size for a green-cheeked conure breeding pair, experts recommend a minimum of 24″ in width and 36″ in height. This gives the birds enough space to move around and breed comfortably.
The bar spacing should be between 1/2″ and 5/8″ to ensure the safety of both birds. It’s also important that the cage has multiple perches and toys for mental stimulation.
How Often Should I Handle The Green-Cheeked Conure Chicks?
Handling green-cheeked conure chicks should be done regularly and gently. When they are young, they should be accustomed to being handled so they will become well-socialized and easy to handle.
However, you should never force a chick to interact with you; instead, allow the chick to come to you for interaction when it feels comfortable.
You should also limit your handling of the chicks so that they don’t become too accustomed or dependent on human contact as they grow older.
How Often Should I Feed The Green-Cheeked Conure Chicks?
When caring for young green-cheeked conure chicks, it’s important to monitor their feeding habits. Generally speaking, you should feed them three to four times a day with small portions of food.
If the chicks look thin, increase their feedings to five or six times a day. As they grow older, reduce the frequency of feedings and the portion size accordingly.
Are There Any Special Dietary Requirements For Breeding Green Cheeked Conures?
Yes, there are special dietary requirements for breeding green-cheeked conures. They require a diet high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to ensure healthy growth and development.
It is important to feed them a variety of foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains. Additionally, they should be offered calcium supplements as well as vitamin supplements designed specifically for birds.
It is important to provide them with enough food throughout the day and to monitor their weight regularly to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition.
Conclusion
So far, I have discussed the basics of green-cheeked conure breeding, from setting nest boxes to diet plans and breeding issues. These factors will help you to breed green-cheek conure successfully.
Breeding these birds is a rewarding experience that requires commitment and patience. It is important to be aware of their special needs so you can provide them with the best possible care.
I hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of what it takes to breed green-cheeked conures. With proper research, preparation, and care, you will be sure to have success in your breeding efforts.
