Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Parrotlet Breeding Life Spans

I have a breeding pair of pacific parrotlets. They have produced several clutches and
I was wondering how long you can breed them. In other words, how old is too old
to continue breeding provided they have a varied diet, lots of calcium and minerals.

They are a tamed pair and I can hold them and they even watch TV with us but yet once a year they will breed for me. I don't want to harm them in anyway by breeding them when they are too old.

Thanks for your response.

Sincerely,

Lorna

Thank you for your email. I have bred parrotlets for almost 30 years so I am well aware of their breeding life spans based on my own personal experience. Generally, females don't last as long as males. Most hens, if well managed, can last up to 7 or 8 years of age although most start slowing down around 5 years. Males can produce offspring until they are in their teens. As for slowing them down, Nature usually takes care of that as they usually become less and less interested in breeding as they age. Females often produce infertile eggs and when they have produced 3 infertile clutches, then they are usually past the age of breeding.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
Secretary, International Parrotlet Society

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