Ok, I have multiple parakeets. 3 separate cages. I have a "breeding" pair that are currently separate. My large cage contains the male from the "pair", 4 of his offspring from last year, and one other female. I was watching them playing on the toys today and notice the male getting amorous with one of his offspring. He was mounting her. The babies aren't a whole year old yet. I am freaking out. I didn't know this could happen. What will happen if this poor baby lays eggs? Will it kill her? Will the potetial chicks have problems? I have separated them but I'm not sure what to think.

They have no concern if it is a family member that they are breeding with. These young females should not be housed with males, especially males that have breed previously. The offsprings can have genetic problems if inbreeding is not prevented. The chances of anything being seriously wrong is slim with only one inbreeding episode. But inbreeding will lead to genetic problems.

It sounds like you have enough cages to keep the males and females separate unless you are wanting to breed them.

As for what will happen, if she is not in breeding mode there may not be any eggs to fertilize soooo, nothing will happen for now. But it is a good indicator that you need to separate the males and females so you can control who mates with whom.

I have been trying to determine which were males and which were females. Even now its not easy to tell with a couple of them. That was partly why they were all still together. The saddest part is I don't need any more babies. I'm still trying to find homes for the ones I have. Not that I mind having them but I don't get much contact with the ones in the big cage. They are way too skittish and when one flips out the rest do too. The mom of the babies is in a separate cage with one other of her offspring whom I'm sure is a female. I have one in a separate cage in my living room where I can interact with it. I'm trying to get it trained so it will be easier to find them a home.

You should take away anything that could be used as a nest box, try to shorten their days by making it dark longer than it is light. And of course the hardest chore of all, separate the girls from the boys. Another suggestion that has been made by another of our members is to stay with just fortified seed. When they have the abundance of special foods (greens, treats etc) it tells their bodies that it is breeding time.

Good luck, sounds like you have your hands full.

and NANA when all is said and done you will be a strong advocate to explain to people why they shouldnt be too eager to breed or get more birds than they can handle..its not fair to our lil friends and it causes everyone us and them to be stressed.

if you cant tell males from females, and you don't realize that animals do not care whether their mates are related, than you should not be breeding.

428pm
I wasn't planning on breeding, and it isn't always easy to tell the sexes apart. My female who laid 3 clutchs last year has a blue cere. As far as not realizing that animals don't care about an offspring/parent issue, I'm not that dumb. I was just caught off guard and was worried for the female. Hoping for support and helpful insight. Thanks so much for your critical assessment of my situation.