African Grey Care Sheet
Incubation figures, feeding by life stage, and the things that actually go wrong with this species — on one page.
Read the full african grey breeding guide →- Incubation
- 28 days
- Incubator
- 99.3–99.5°F
- Humidity
- 50–55%
- Lockdown
- 65–75%
African Grey Incubation
Forced-air figures. A still-air incubator runs about 101–102°F measured at the top of the egg — setting 99.5°F at the wrong height is one of the most common causes of a full-term chick that never pips.
| Where | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Incubator | 99.3–99.5°F · 37.4–37.5°C | 50–55% |
| Last 3 days | unchanged — stop turning | 65–75% |
| Breeding room | 70–80°F · 21–27°C | 55–70% |
Central African rainforest birds. They do poorly in dry, cold rooms and benefit from higher ambient humidity than the Australian species.
The honest check on humidity is not the hygrometer — it is the scale. An egg should lose roughly 13–15% of its lay weight by the time it pips. Too little loss means the air is too wet; too much means too dry.
Feeding African Greys
What the diet should be day to day, and what changes when a pair goes down to breed.
Every day
Pellets as the backbone of the diet with only a limited seed component.
Fresh food
Dark leafy greens, red palm oil, and vitamin-A rich vegetables daily.
While breeding
Calcium is the headline. Cuttlebone, a calcium supplement, and access to UV or dietary D3 so the calcium can actually be used.
Feeding chicks
Egg food and soft warm foods daily; keep calcium constant throughout.
What goes wrong with african greys
- African Greys are notably prone to hypocalcaemia — low blood calcium causing seizures. This is the species-defining risk and it is diet-driven.
- Vitamin D3 or UV access matters as much as the calcium itself.
- Feather-destructive behaviour is often nutritional before it is behavioural.
General guidance used by breeders, not veterinary advice. Conditions vary by climate, setup and individual bird — watch your birds first and consult an avian vet for anything health-related.
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