Breeding amazons

[Ainon]

I thinking of trying to breed my two red-lored amazons.
Maby not this season but the next perhaps or later this year

I have some questions and also welcome other tips.

*The nestingbox, how big should it be? Made of what kind of material? and what shape?

*Feeding of the parents, what's good to feed them so that they'll come in breeding condition? and what should you feed them after the babies has hatched? (I'm going to let the parents take care of the chicks)

I've have had parrots for 10 years but never attempted breeding before so Iäm happy for any advice you can give me.

[Jan]

Well, for my Blue Fronts which are about pretty much the same size as Red Loreds, I use a grandfather style type box which is basically a verticle box and the size is along 16" square by about 20" or so high, their entry hole would be up near the top of the box on on side. I use wood but then I also have one other Blue Front nesting box that is used that is metal. I use pine shavings for the nesting material.

Feeding the parents would be basic good stuff and perhaps a little extra calcium too because the hen would be going into egg laying mode. Chicks fed by parents can be all the good stuff such as veggies, fruit, soak-n-cook mix, any type of birdie mashes, along with their regular seed mixes and/or pellets ... you name it as long as it is healthy for the parents it is usually fine for babies.

Letting parents raise babies is okay as long as you know they will provide well for them, but you must be prepared to take on responsibility should the parents not take care of their chicks and you would have to take over hand feeding so you know to know all about hand feeding as well and be prepared. So much to take on and and be aware of. Also, it is harder to sell young babies that are parents raised as opposed to hand feds.

Another note, Amazons can be known to be very protective of their babies and in such away that they will hurt them due to them being scolded when you mess with them. You must be very careful when interfering with Amazon parents and their chicks.

[Monica]

Increasing calcium and protein during breeding season.... using Full Spectrum lights to ensure they absorb calcium...

I don't know for zons but for cockatiels, adults recommended protein is 11-18% (18% being on the high side - which is about right for most all species) but chicks recommend is perhaps 18-22% protein...

[Ainon]

Thanks for all tips. Now I'm first going to build a nestingbox and buy a full spectrum light :)

[gottaluvmacaw]

can anyone post a pic of a proper nest box for amazons, she may be planning a breeding, but mine happened by accident and out of the blue and i am scrambling to get stuff together, i can't find any nest boxes to buy for my zons, and i don't know how to make one!!!! eik!
anyways, Elina, good luck, your biggest responsibility will be to learn as much as possible about after the chicks are born, there are so many uncertainties and dangers involved, this is a good support network for questions :)
ps, i love your signature, what a great pic!!!

[Jan]

My one Blue Front Amazon pair have a wood 16" x 16" x 24" high Grandfather style nestbox. My other BFA pair have more like a boot style nest box and is metal.