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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

520.0. "Questions on Raising Love Birds" by COMET::YOUNGR () Thu Mar 21 1991 12:20

      I have been thinking about raising Love Birds.  I am not at all
    familiar with this hook bill ,and there is no end to the questions that
    I have.  I have owned an Amazon and a Cockatoo before.  I have a nice,
    sunny spare bedroom and a sunroom on the porch in which to keep them
    happy.  Some of the questions right off are;  Are Love Birds noisy;  Do
    they like to chew;  Are they easily bred;  How large of an aviary do I
    need;  Can I make the cage from scratch;  Are they messy;  Do they have
    a likable personality; etc, etc, etc.  Any recomendations on this
    matter would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Thank you,
    Bob Young
    CXO
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
520.1Love-ly Birds, those LovebirdsABACUS::BOURGAULTThu Mar 21 1991 12:3933
    Bob,
    
    I can answer a few of your questions.  
    
    1) Are Lovebirds noisy - Yes.  They aren't as bad a conures and they 
       aren't noisy all of the time, but a good portion of the time they
       chatter away.
    
    2)  Are they easy to breed.  Yes.  If you have a true pair, which is
        a bit difficult to tell the difference.  I find that my females
        are much more aggressive and will try to nip me.   To breed them
        they need a Cockatiel Size box or just a bit smaller.  Parakeet
        nest boxes are a bit too small.
    
    3)  Size of Aviary.  If you are breeding lovebirds, keep each pair
        separate, for they are very aggressive birds and will attack and
        could kill when ready or in process of breeding.  ESPECIALLY
        PEACH FACES.
    
    4)  You can make the cages from scratch, but don't use wood, for they
        like to chew.
    
    5)  Yes they are messy!  And love to dunk everything in their water
    
    6.) They can make nice tame pets if handfed and not put with another
        bird.  If you want a pet lovebird to stay a pet, don't pair it
        off!  Otherwise they lose their friendliness.
    
    That's about it.  I'm sure there are noters out there who can shed
    much more light on this subject than I can.
    
    Regards,
    Denise
520.2Have I Got A Deal For You...!SWEETP::EAGERThu Mar 21 1991 14:0330
    
    	If you only have one or two pairs, the noise is acceptable, and it
    some cases it can be enjoyable.  Their singing is not the loud
    obnoxious noise produced my conures. It is more song-like in nature.
    	As (.1) says, they are easy to breed if you have a known good pair.
    I even know where you can get two proven breeding pairs at a real good
    price. I've been breeding Lovebirds for over two years now. I also have
    some Goffin Cockatoos and I have African Greys, one pair of which is 
    currently raising a chick.
    	I will be phasing out my lovebirds and possibly my proven breeding
    pair of Nanday conures to make room for more Greys..., and down the 
    road a pair of Macaws, (Oh yes... to Dream...). I have two pairs which
    I would be willing to sell at a very good price. I have books to
    include in the deal and can show you how to build some very good cages
    out of wood or metal. You will also need to get a Breeder's license if
    you want to be able to sell or give away your chicks. It only costs
    $15.00 and is really easy to get.  
    	I've never had much problem with my Lovebirds chewing the wood, but 
    it is harder to clean then a metal cage. I whole-heartedly suggest you
    go with metal. The cage size I use is approximately 12"X12"X20" and it
    has worked fine for me. Once the chicks are weaned, I put them all in
    a 36"X 12"X48" cage to give them enough room to play and pair off if
    desired.
    	If you're interested, Contact me at Sweetp::Eager or call me at
    either 3565 or 3655. I usually hard to reach so mail is the best
    method.
    
    
    							Mark
520.3I Need More InfoCOMET::YOUNGRFri Mar 22 1991 08:3511
         Thank you both for your insite into these birds.  I am still a
    little vague as to the personalities.  Also a point of concern is the
    aggression towards others during mating season.  Is this limited to
    other birds in the aviary or can the mated pair turn of each other.  I
    have heard horror stories about conures killing their mates.  If the
    aviary I built was quite large, could there be peace with other pairs?
         Mark, I will touch base with you on your birds.  I'm really not in
    the position as of yet to take on another hobby but you never know$$$$$
    Thanks,
    Bob
520.4 More Info AGOUTL::RODRIGUEZ_ELThu Apr 11 1991 17:2526
    
    Hi Bob,
    
    I have been breeding lovebirds since 1987 and agree 100% with 520.1
    and .2. I currently own 7 breeding pairs and a loveable hand fed 
    Lutino Peach-Face as a pet. My birds are housed by pair to provide 
    a sense of privacy when breeding and to avoid quarrels. Although 
    I have seen quarrels between mated pairs they have never been serious.
    
    I have seen large cages housing several pairs of lovebirds, but there
    two things you must keep in mind:
    
              1- Provide more nest-boxes than breeding pairs
          
              2- Never mix Peach-Faces with the White-Eye group
    
    
    Hope this helps you get started and enjoy ! (I have)
    
    
    Elias Rodriguez
    AGO - Puerto Rico