How to Hatch Macaw Eggs? (Vet’s Opinion)

Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Macaw is one of the most majestic and beautiful birds. Isn’t it? The process of hatching macaw eggs demands good incubation. If you’re interested in hatching macaw eggs without a female, there are some necessary guidelines to follow.

In the wild, female macaws provide incubation and nursing care to eggs. They do so by providing favorable conditions such as the right temperature. Macaw eggs hatch in a time of around 27 days.

Today, this article will shed light on how you can hatch macaw eggs at home. These guidelines are important for successful hatching and providing initial care to newborns. In this respect, meeting the requirements of providing suitable hatching conditions is pivotal.

Getting Started with Macaw Egg Hatching

To successfully hatch macaw eggs, there are certain equipment and conditions. I am going to break it down into sections for easy understanding.

Buy the Right Incubator for egg hatching

Incubators are the prime equipment required to carry out the hatching of any type of fertile eggs. They provide all the necessary conditions for the proper and healthy development of macaw fledglings.

It is recommended to invest in a fully automated incubator for macaw eggs. Automated incubators work best in terms of meeting hatching requirements. An additional perk of such incubators is the ease of use and easy operation.

On the other hand, manual incubators need to be checked from time to time. The adjustments of temperature and humidity need to be manually maintained. This is where automatic incubators surpass manual ones.

There are many automated incubators available in the market. Make sure to invest in one that has good compatibility for hatching macaw eggs. All of them provide auto-control features which you don’t need to adjust after the initial setup.

Macaw eggs are smaller than chicken eggs so you need to make proper adjustments inside the incubator. As most incubators are designed based on chicken egg size, the macaw egg must sit comfortably in them.

In case you don’t find an incubator with smaller egg trays, you can use packing material inside. Make sure to leave the appropriate space for keeping macaw eggs in an ideal position. Under the right requirements, you’ll surely get the fruit of your efforts in the form of little fledglings.

Macaw Eggs Incubation Optimum Requirements

Ideal Temperature

In embryo development, female macaws sit on the eggs and provide the right body heat. Temperature is the most crucial factor for the incubation and hatching of eggs. You need to set the incubation temperature in the optimal range of 37.1 C to 37.3 C.

The temperature should not exceed the maximum range limit or it will have harmful effects on the eggs. When the temperature is high, the humidity levels start becoming unstable and stop the fledglings’ development.

Similarly, if the temperature goes down to the minimal ideal limit, it will halt the proper body cell formation. Both of the conditions lead to improper yolk absorption and abnormal embryo growth.

Sometimes, the fluctuation in temperature completely renders the egg infertile. That’s why a good quality automatic incubator is of utmost importance. These incubators will automatically detect temperature changes and correct them accordingly.

Optimal Humidity Levels

Humidity is the second pivotal factor when it comes to macaw egg development and hatching. At the right temperature, an egg experiences a balanced water loss from the eggshell. The humidity levels will further decide how much water needs to be evaporated,

It is a general rule to provide a 45% to 55% humidity level in the case of macaw eggs. This level should be maintained by the incubator for 25 days of incubation. However, the last three days require higher humidity levels of around 70% to 80%.

If the humidity levels are above or below the recommended range, it will cause abnormal embryos. Too low humidity will result in the drying of eggshell membranes and high-water loss. This can lead to the sticking of the embryo to the eggshell membrane and the ultimate death of the embryo.

On the other hand, high humidity will stop the evaporative process within the developing egg. This will decrease the hatchability chances and unhealthy macaw fledglings at birth. You can save a lot of abnormal humidity troubles by getting a macaw-compatible incubator.

The Importance of Egg Turning

The Egg Turning process is largely implemented in hatcheries to avoid embryo sticking. It also aids in the complete development of macaw embryos and maintains the health of eggs. There is a possibility of reduced hatching with ideal temperature and humidity but no turning.

In the case of macaws, the eggs need to be turned at least 4 to 6 times every hour. Most modern incubators have rolling plates beneath the trays. These incubators work on preset settings and turn the eggs on at a regular frequency.

How do Macaw Eggs Hatch?

After the start of initial incubation, the eggs go through a complete developmental process. This takes at least 27 days under normal circumstances of temperature and humidity. As mentioned above, the humidity levels must be set to a higher level for the last three days.

When the macaw fledgling completes its growth and is ready to hatch, the baby needs to poke through the eggshell. The high humidity during the last days softens the shell and its membranes so the macaw baby can break it easily.

The macaw chick has a special structure on the top of the beak known as an egg tooth. Chicks use this to crack the egg and come out of it. They do so by rolling inside and performing several breaks until the egg cracks in half.

Some Important Considerations

The process of macaw egg hatching must be monitored thoroughly. There are many chances of complications such as chicks getting tired and unable to break. Sometimes, they start making noises and keep struggling inside.

In such cases, proper assistance is mandatory by keeping the egg inside the incubator. What you can do is gently tear off the eggshell in small parts using a tweezer. Gently & carefully cracking the egg all around leads to saving the life of a healthy macaw chick.

Research References

Romagnano, April. “Psittacine incubation and pediatrics.” Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 15.2 (2012): 163-182.

French, N. A. “Modeling incubation temperature: the effects of incubator design, embryonic development, and egg size.” Poultry science 76.1 (1997): 124-133.