Breeding African Greys may seem like fun, but it is really something that you cannot just jump into. Not only is it difficult on many levels, it is not as profitable as it may seem. This is not like breeding dogs or cats, having puppies and kittens, selling them, and then having your pets back. Once parrots have bred, they are no longer capable of being pets. Breeding parrots is not a hobby but a business that is time consuming and stressful for the wrong person.
Instructions
Breed African Greys
1. Choosing two compatible African Greys is the first, and possibly, most difficult step. Not all parrots "get along" and in many cases the male will be overly aggressive and possibly hurt or kill its potential mate. Monitoring the behavior is important. In order to even place two African Greys of the opposite sex together, the sex of the parrots must be determined by a blood test. It is impossible to tell the sex of a parrot without a blood test unless it has already laid eggs.
2. The pair must be placed in a cage that is approximately 3'x3'x3'. A breeder box or nesting box must be constructed and 12"x12"x24" is a nice size for this type of parrot. The box must have a door for the parrots to enter from the cage and a door that locks so that you can check on them if necessary. They sell these boxes as well, but most breeders make their own because parrots will tend to ruin them over time and it is cheaper to make "disposable" boxes than to buy pre-made ones. Non-cedar wood shavings should be placed into the box, three to four inches thick. The oils in cedar shavings have been rumored to cause brain damage in small pets so most people avoid them if direct contact occurs.
3. Do not disturb the birds when they are in the nest box. They are prey animals and nervous, so they will not breed unless they are sure that it is safe. Once they begin mating, they will copulate for a week to ten days. Shortly thereafter, the females will lay the fertilized eggs.
4. Some breeders will pull the eggs and incubate them in an incubator. This prevents the parents from destroying the eggs if they are so inclined if they feel threatened. If they choose this option, the breeder, once the eggs hatch, will hand feed the birds with an eye dropper for a week or so every three hours and over time the feedings occur less. This is the most labor intensive, stressful way to breed. Otherwise, you leave the eggs be, let the mother tend the eggs and take care of her young like nature intended.
5. If you let the parents do their jobs, the time will come to separate the young birds from them. Every breeder had his or her philosophy as when to separate the parrots, but it is generally between 18 and 24 days. Once you separate them you must place a band on their leg to demonstrate that they were breed in the country and not smuggled from the wild.
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