Not surprisingly, many breeders feel their birds are in much better condition and have more production with large flights. Perches must be sturdily attached to the cage as infertility can sometimes be traced to wobbly or unstable perches. Breeding pairs should have nest boxes that are six inches wide by ten inches tall and seven inches deep, which should be hung on the outside of the cage and filled with about two inches of untreated pine shavings. Boxes should be placed on the front of the cages so when the birds look out, they only see the inside of their cage. Some birds, particularly Green Rumps, are fond of throwing the nest material out of the box so be sure to keep it replaced.
Babies can develop crippling orthopedic problems if left on the bare floor.
Conversely, sometimes birds will bury their eggs and lose them in the shavings. Mexican parrotlets seem particularly prone to this habit. If this is the case, remove the shavings a little at a time until the problems ceases or try using heavier shavings. In any case, by checking nest boxes daily, you will be able to monitor the pairs and deal with any problems as they arise. Also, following a routine will teach the birds to tolerate your interference.