How long before they lay?

[chickenjones]

PS: I know my birds are about 9 years old. So I know this is close to the end of their breeding season of life anyway. I didn't know if they went through the motions eventhough no fertile eggs were feasible.

 

[AquaEyes]

BC Conures can probably breed into their 20's.

When you notice the female staying in the nest box during the day, and the male feeding her at the entrance, she's probably just about ready to lay.

Even if the eggs never hatch, producing them puts a strain on the female. If she has only one clutch per year, she can handle that (with some extra nutritious food being given around that time). Just don't let her lay multiple clutches every year, or she'll get worn out. Parrots have a different reproductive strategy from chickens. Chickens have (relatively) large clutches frequently over a short breeding life, while parrots have (relatively) small clutches infrequently over a long breeding life. Trying to make parrots breed like chickens will wear their bodies out faster. That's a simplified explanation.

ANYWAY....if they're outdoors and not overly friendly with you, perhaps you can do things to make their aviary look like a mini zoo exhibit. Maybe a non-toxic vine allowed to grow up and over one side, or fast-growing non-toxic potted plants placed inside, maybe a "tree" made from a bunch of branches, etc. I'm not saying you HAVE to, but it could be something fun to do with birds that don't let you play with them. At least, that's what I'd like to do when I buy some property in south Florida......