Love Birds expecting?

Question
QUESTION: Hi:  we have two love birds that were given to my daughters as a gift from Grandma.  We have caught them mating several times (male and female) and now have started to shred the paper in their cage and place it in their wooden box.  Someone told me that means they are preparing a nest for their baby.  Please help as I am totally clueless and want to be prepared for this.  Many thanks.
ANSWER: Hello Olga and thank you for your post.
Yes, it sounds like they are getting a nest together for egg laying.
Once the eggs are laid, if they are fertile, they will hatch in about a month.  You can start handling them when they are a few days old to get them used to people.

If the mother doesn't take care of the babies, you will have to hand feed them, but that's a while away.  Feel free to come back with any more questions.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick reply.  Is there anything I should or should not be doing?  Or should I just let them carry on as usual.  Is there a specific food i should be for them now?  Or just soft food for when/if they have babies?  I am planning to travel in a couple of weeks and was leaving them with Grandma who lives about an hour away.  Is it safe to transport them now?  Sorry if I sound paranoid but I want to do the best for them.  Many thanks.

Answer
Hello again Olga.
Just make sure that the female has Avian Vitamins  and enough calcium in her diet, and she should be fine with her regular food.
It is always best to keep your birds in the environment that they are used to, but if this is impossible to do, here are some tips:
While transporting them, make sure to use either a small animal travel cage, or a small bird cage for transport.  If using a small cage, be sure to take the bottom grate and all perches and toys out of the cage to lessen the risk of the birds injuring themselves.  They should be fine for travel at this point, but if she lays eggs while she is at Grandma's house, she won't be able to be transported back until the babies are older, then you have to really be careful while transporting them, and even when you get them back home as the upset from a transport may cause the mother bird to kill her babies.
Transporting a bird is extremely hard on it, and it can actually cause the bird to have a heart attack, so use plenty of care while transporting the birds.
Another thing to think about is a Certified Avian or an Exotic Animal Vet.  Make sure that there is at least one near Grandma's house, just in case of an emergency.

I hope this helps.

God Bless.
Dianna