The most popular pet cage bird; its small eggs are usually incubated by the parent in about 18 days.
Budgerigar is a cage bird species, and its eggs hatch in about 18 days (normal window days 17-20). In cage birds, incubation is usually natural: the hen — in most parrots the pair together — sits on the eggs herself. The values below are a reference both for following the natural process and for artificial incubation if needed.
For natural incubation, a calm, draught-free room at 18-24 °C and a suitable nest box are enough; the parent provides the heat. If you must incubate artificially, hold the machine at 37-37.4 °C and 40-50% humidity — small eggs are very sensitive to temperature and humidity swings.
The parent turns the eggs regularly herself; just observe without disturbing the nest. In an incubator, turn 5 times a day (an odd number). You can candle on days 5, 10, 14 to check development; handle the thin-shelled eggs very gently.
A few days before hatch (around day 16), stop turning in the incubator and raise humidity to 60-70%. With natural incubation, avoid opening the nest; a disturbed pair may abandon the eggs. Hatching is expected on days 17-20.
Newly hatched chicks are featherless with closed eyes and depend entirely on the parent at first, fed on crop milk or softened food. If the parents don't feed them, you must hand-feed a rearing formula every 2-3 hours in a warm (~35 °C) brooder. Keep the environment warm, quiet and clean until they feather and start eating on their own.
Budgerigar eggs hatch in about 18 days; most hatch between days 17 and 20.
In a forced-air incubator, 37–37.4 °C with 40–50% humidity; in the last few days (lockdown) raise the humidity to 60–70%.
Candle on days 5, 10, 14 and remove clear or non-developing eggs at these checks.
Stop turning on day 16, then raise the humidity and keep the incubator closed until the chicks hatch.
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