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Question
I have two lovebirds, the female who is 2 years old is ready and welling to breed. But my male who is 12 years old is not welling nor wants to breed with her. She is doing everything to show him she needs to breed. But he just walks away from her to play with the toys in the cage, or he drinks or eats. How can i get them to breed ?
Hi, Shannon,
Are you 100% positive of their sexes? Lovies have to be DNA sexed. Could you have 2 birds of the same sex?
Just because we put 2 birds together in a cage doesn't necessarily mean they will bond and breed. Not all birds are compatible with each other. A pair of birds have to be pair-bonded before they will mate. How long have these 2 birds been together?
Pair-bonding is when the male feeds his female beak-to-beak. If this is not occuring, they are not bonded. Your male being 12 years of age may be too old, too. There is nothing you can do to force them to breed with each other. If they are pair-bonded (male feeding his mate beak-to-beak), increase their light to 16 hours per day and put up a nesting box. If they are not pair-bonded, nothing you can do short of pairing them up with different birds if you want lovie offspring.
Chrys
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Answers by Expert:
Chrys Meatyard
Expertise
I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
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