New Lovebirds

[mdmarco]

I just got two new lovebirds (8 wks old). I've never had lovebirds before and I know to determine sex you need to do DNA testing (which I may do when they're a little older). But if anyone out there has a bit more experience with lovebirds, do you know if it is possible to have a male & female that have identical colour & markings?

And how old are they when they start mating?

[Flappuccino]

nope- color wont tell you. There are some folks who can tell from the eye rings or eye shape of some masked species. No way with peachies.
Technically, they CAN mate and produce eggs as young as 7 mos, but that is NOT healthy at all, and you should definitely discourage any breeding until at least 1 yr of age or older.
Congrats on your new babies!

[mdmarco]

Thanks for your help, so it could be possible to have a male and female with identical markings. Well I'll see what the DNA testing comes up with, and I will keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get into any trouble too early.

One of them is pretty skitish and I'm afraid it may be influencing the behaviour of the other. Any advice on how to help calm it down?

[sweetpeaches]

hello...2 months old. i got my lovie at 5 mos. old. when i brought her home she was really wired for the first few days. then she calmed down. i'm not sure what it's like when you have more than one. but congrats! there's another forum i belong to that is quite helpful with lovies. it's lovebirds plus community. this board is also very helpful.

[mdmarco]

Thanks, maybe that's it - they need some time to settle in. Today is day 2 with them, I'll see how it goes in another month or so.

[Lori~D]

If you do have two lovies that are male and female, are they brother and sister? do you know? If in fact they are a M/F pair then you can bet you will not have good "pets" for long as pairs of lovies have no eed for human companionship and will become quite aggressive unless housed seperatly. Even two females or males can bond to end up having no need for you. Contrary to popular belief (no matter what they tell you at the pet store) Lovies do not NEED to be in pairs and in fact make better "pets" sold seperatly. These are just some things to think about. Are you wanting a breeding pair, a bonded pair, or pets you can handle and play with. You also dont want to allow brother and sister to breed. Two males may fight when they reach sexual maturity. So may two females.