Bucher (1983) found that pre-piping and hatching levels of oxygen consumption are lower than in the same size eggs of precocial species.Ĭlutch size within the psittacines varies from one egg up to six, with two or three being average for most species (Saunders et al. In six parrot species studied by Bucher (1983) the average incubation period was 40% longer than that of birds in general, when compared on the basis of egg mass using the data compiled by Ar and Rahn (1978), and because of the prolonged incubation periods the total embryonic energy metabolism is greater than predicted for altricial species. When compared on the basis of maturity at hatching, the water fraction is significantly different between fresh altricial and precocial eggs which contain 28% solids (Ar and Rahn, 1980). The contents of fresh psittacine eggs contain slightly more solids, 19.4% (Bucher, 1983) than is typical for altricial, or semi-altricial species, which contain 17% solids (Ar and Rahn, 1980). In different species of birds that have the same egg weight the incubation period is inversely related to the metabolic rate and the eggshell gas conductance (Rahn et al., 1974) thus similar sized eggs from different species may have different incubation periods. As a result, we have to incubate (or pull at a very young age) and hand rear most of our babies for pet stock. Unfortunately, the demand for unrelated, parent raised, captive bred breeding stock is rather small. Then, twice they laid again a month after we pulled three week old babies from them.

The first two clutches were pulled for artificial incubation within a week of being laid. HARI raised 12 babies from one of our Blue & Gold Macaw pairs which produced 18 eggs in 14 months. Possible disease spread, unacceptance by the foster pair and the cost (space) of maintaining them are factors which may make fostering less desirable. Some species, such as the Monk Parakeet, make better foster parents than others. Surrogate/foster parents have been successfully used to incubate and raise eggs (Gee, 1983 Harrison, 1987 Stoodley, 1984) with the same benefits as artificial incubation. This may be due to improper techniques, poor parental nutrition and other factors that can be corrected. Van Der Heyden (1987) claims that artificially incubating to increase egg production is risky and that many aviculturists have lost more than they’ve gained by it. Many pairs lay a second clutch and in some cases triple clutch to replace eggs that are removed. Eggs normally lost to parental neglect, predation, extremes of environmental conditions, pathogen infection and other calamities can be saved (Reininger, 1985). The production of rare avicultural species can be significantly increased by artificial incubation. This paper will discuss these factors as well as some characteristics of parrot eggs, their proper collection and assistance techniques for dried out eggs. Temperature, humidity, ventilation, egg turning and sanitation are all important factors in the proper incubation of eggs (Brown, 1979). Having the right equipment is as important as knowing the process.

The topic of incubation could fill a book with many different techniques leading to a successfully hatched egg. There is a desire to improve artificial incubation techniques as diets to hand-feed altricial birds right from hatch are becoming available and more breeders are confident that they can raise a baby themselves. The incubation of exotic bird eggs, usually in small numbers, has recently become a popular way to try and increase production but unfortunately often leads to failure.

Presently large commercial poultry incubators fit tens of thousands of eggs at a time and, due to selection, most hatch. Up until ten years ago, most of the scientific information concerning artificial incubation applied to precocial species important to the poultry industry. It contains all of the balanced nutrients and, if fertilized, all of the genetic material for the creation of a new life.Īrtificial incubation goes back thousands of years when the ancient Chinese and Egyptians operated large hatcheries that were quite successful. The egg is one of nature’s most incredible self-contained life capsules. Artificial Incubation Applied to Bird Eggs Introduction

Amazon bird incubator