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Breeding of Eastern Rosellas in European Climate Conditions
Baierlová, Nikola ; Ledvinka, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Zita, Lukáš (referee)
Summary
This work is aimed at parrot breeding of genus Rossella in Europe, in different climatic conditions than the conditions in the Southeast and South Australia where the birds come from. Here, you can find overview of their occurrence in nature, evaluation of biotope, feeding and information on breeding in human custody.
Eastern Rosellas (Platycersus eximius) live in pairs and each pair is very protective
of their own nesting teritory. Outside of the nesting season, Rosellas are moving around the land in small groups.
In nature, these parrots eat grain from grass or weeds, seeds from bushes, trees
and of course fruit.
The nesting season starts around february and lasts until august. In nature Rosellas nest in hollow trees, branches, tree stumps, columns, on top of fence post and even in rabbit holes.
The best option when it comes to breeding Rosellas, is an outside aviary, which best represents their natural habitat. European winter causes them little to no trouble, the same goes for severe frost, which allows for year-round stay in the outside aviary.
Rosellas have the similar eating habits as their parrot brethren, meaning sunflower seeds, millet, panic grass, canary and oat. An important supplement in their daily diet is green feed(ing), fresh fruit and vegetable, branches to nibble on, mineral substances, and fresh drinking water. During the nesting season and while with young, it is necessary to feed
the birds an egg mixture, it is an important source of protein.
Breeding of Rosellas is fairly effortless, they can easily nest even in small spaces. Ideal size of their bird house would be 25 x 25 x 60 - 70 cm with a fly-in entrance of 7 - 8 cm. It is necessary to hang the bird houses as high as possible in the protected part of aviary. Female lays 5 - 7 white colored eggs, on which she sits 21 - 22 days. Young birds leave
the nest in age between 28 - 35 days and then, are are partly fed additional 10 - 14 days by
the male.
Among the most frequent diseases of this species of pet birds belong those non contagious, e.g. hypovitaminosis, uricosis and, furthermore parasitical ones and pathogens as well as other contagious diseases or feather abnormalities, such as the so called French defeathering.
Breeding of Rosellas does not require an experienced breeder. With proper care, Rosellas can live up to 25 - 30 years and remain fertile their whole lives.
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