Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/6/2006

Question
hi!its my first time having parakeets as pets and my first time having an egg.so i have lots of questions.how many eggs does a parakeet lay?my parakeet layed only one egg,what does it mean?will there be more?
and can i also ask how to take proper care of their youngsters so that they would grow healthy and strong.
thanks chrys meatyard!= )

Answer
Hi, Pirena.  Thanks for posting.

A parakeet can lay 1-6 (or more) eggs in a clutch.  Does your keet have a mate (females can lay infertile eggs without mating with a male)?  Are they/she using a nestbox?  When was the egg laid (they lay an egg every other day until they have a full clutch)?  Your keet could lay more, but it depends on the situation.  

Your female keet should take proper care of her babies when/if they come (she cares for the babies while the male feeds the female).  Do you plan on handfeeding the babies with baby parrot handfeeding formula and a handfeeding syringe or will you allow the parents to care for them?  If you want tame pet youngsters, you should pull them from the parents at about 10 days of age and handfeed them (or at least handle the babies a couple times per day so they imprint on humans).  You have to start out with healthy parents in order to have healthy babies (and then the parents feed the babies regurgitated food they have eaten, so you have to feed the parents well also).  What type of diet are your keets on?  If on seed only, I recommend you switch them to a healthier diet before allowing them to produce youngsters.  

I might be able to help more if I have additional information.       

Chrys