The eggs will take between 2.5 and 4 weeks to hatch, depending on the species. The larger the bird, the longer the incubation, generally speaking. Clutches vary in size from two to six, and the female lays one a day. Incubators for egg-hatching are not essential kit for a breeder, but many do use them. The eggs of all parrots require a temperature of 37C or just below. Getting this right is essential for successful hatching.

Eggs sometimes fail to hatch. There are various reasons why this might have happened:

• Females sometimes lay eggs when there are no males to fertilise them
• A female may lay unfertilised eggs if the male has failed to achieve a successful coupling
• Single eggs may fail to hatch, due to a chick failing to develop properly inside, or because the egg itself somehow managed to avoid being fertilised
• The hen may neglect her eggs due to inexperience or stress – this is quite common in first-time layers
• If the nestbox isn’t a suitable size and shape the egg may have fallen to the floor and killed the embryo inside
• The male bird could be infertile
• The proximity of other birds or external distractions may be the issue – the female may be too stressed to sit on her eggs
• Nutrition is important – if eggs fail to hatch due to soft shells, it’s a sign that the hen didn’t get enough calcium (from cuttlefish bone or a mineral block, for example) when she was producing the eggs.