Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 7/14/2007

Question
I think one of my two pairs of Parakeets have bred. Is there any way to tell for sure? My blue female is spending an hour or so every day in the nesting box and each day the amount of time increases. I also have another pair of Parakeets in the same cage. Will they pose as a problem? I've seen both my females in the nesting box and any time but any time the green female comes near the nesting box or tries to come in the blue female will hack at her and run her off. I'm worried both are ready to lay eggs but my blue Parakeet won't let the green one anywhere near the nesting box. Another thing, when my blue female goes into the nesting box her mate will either go in to or patiently wait outside. Is this normal? One last question, I am going to St. Paul, NE next weekend and I'm afraid I won't be here if my blue female does lay eggs. I don't want to take because I'm afraid it might stress her out and i don't trust anyone to care for her while I'm gone.
 
Thanks in Advance!

Answer
Hi, Erika.

The only way you would know if your pair has bred is if you've seen them mate or if the female lays eggs.  Yes, having 2 bonded pairs of keets in the same cage with a nesting box can be a problem.  Based on what you've posted, I recommend you split the pairs into 2 separate breeding cages.  What will happen is that the females will fight and one will lose.  The loser will likely be seriously injured or will be killed by the other female.  You cannot breed 2 pairs of keets in 1 cage with 1 nesting box.  I always recommend keeping each pair of birds in their own separate cages when breeding.  This prevents many problems between the adults as well as when babies arrive.

Males prepare the nesting box.  When the box is prepared to his satisfaction, the female goes in.  If they've mated, she may go in/out, stay in for a period of time like you've described, and then eventually lay eggs.  Your situation with 2 pairs in the same cage is resulting in problems and neither bird may lay as long as the other is in the same cage.  OR  both could lay, but then fight over who owns the nesting box.  Separate them.  Females stay in the box caring for eggs/babies.  The male feeds the female while she stays in the box.  Males may go in the nesting box, but they don't stay long.  And this depends on the individual birds involved.  Some males may stay in with the female a lot, some never go in the box.  Males guard the outside of the nesting box and the cage while the female stays inside with the eggs/babies guarding the inside of the nesting box.  The theory is that if a predator (or another bird) gets past the male (who is guarding the outside of the nest), this predator (or other bird) has to contend with the female!  This is why female keets are often "meaner"/more aggressive and bite harder than male keets (particularly when eggs/babies are involved).  This is why you need to separate the pairs.

Your birds don't need you when they lay eggs (except if the female were to become egg bound).  I wouldn't leave town and leave 2 pairs of birds in the same cage with 1 nesting box, especially if you think one or both females might be ready to lay eggs.  However, once they are separated, leaving shouldn't be a problem.  I recommend you separate these birds into 2 separate cages BEFORE you leave.  Otherwise, you may come back home to find one or more severely injured/dead birds.

Chrys