Reproductive Traits and Incubation Physiology of Captive Psittacine Birds under Tropical Aviary Conditions
N. Karunakaran
Department of Poultry Science, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600007, India.
G. Srinivasan
Department of Poultry Science, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600007, India.
K. Nagarajan
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600007, India.
P. E. Praveena
Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division, ICAR- Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600028, India.
R. Richard Churchil *
Department of Poultry Science, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600007, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Psittacine birds are widely maintained in captivity for aviculture, conservation and commercial breeding, yet information on their reproductive traits and incubation physiology remains limited under tropical aviary conditions.
Understanding egg characteristics, laying pattern and incubation parameters is essential for improving hatchability, chick quality and breeding efficiency in captive psittacine species.
Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate egg weight, laying pattern and incubation physiology of captive pet birds maintained under tropical aviary conditions.
Study Design: A descriptive and experimental study was conducted to assess reproductive traits and incubation parameters in captive psittacine birds.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in a tropical aviary setting over a period of eight months.
Methodology: Egg weight data were collected from 446 eggs belonging to different avian groups including cockatoos, conures, lorikeets, lories, macaws, parrots, pigeons and vultures. Oviposition pattern and incubation studies were conducted in Loriinae (lorikeets and lories), wherein 203 eggs were subjected to artificial incubation. Parameters recorded included clutch size, inter-oviposition interval, clutch length, pause period, egg weight loss, air cell depth and embryonic heart rate.
Results: Marked interspecific variation in egg weight was observed, with macaws producing the heaviest eggs and loriines the lightest. Green winged macaw recorded the highest egg weight, whereas scaly breasted lory showed the lowest. Loriinae predominantly produced two-egg clutches with an average inter-oviposition interval of 1.37 days and a pause period of 41.11 days. During incubation, egg weight loss increased progressively from 1.59 to 16.66%, while air cell depth increased from 3.50 to 12.55 mm between day 3 and day 20. Embryonic heart rate was first detected on day 7 and declined towards the later stages of incubation.
Conclusion: The study provides baseline information on egg characteristics, laying pattern and incubation physiology of captive pet birds. These findings can be useful for optimizing incubation management, improving hatchability and enhancing breeding efficiency in commercial aviculture and conservation programmes.
Keywords: Artificial incubation, aviculture, captive psittacines, egg weight, embryonic heart rate, oviposition pattern