How Long Do Sun Conure Eggs Take to Hatch?

By Viola R Daigle | Published 21 November 2025 | Updated 13 November 2026

How long do sun conure eggs take to hatch? About 23 to 27 days. The mother sits on them most of the time to keep them warm. Good care in these weeks shapes healthy chicks for life.

Sun conures breed in spring and summer, when days run long and warm. Eggs need a warm, calm nest to grow well inside. This guide walks you through the whole hatch timeline.

Contents

• Breeding Season: When Eggs Come
• Egg Laying: One Egg Every Other Day
• How Long Do Sun Conure Eggs Take to Hatch? Incubation Period
• Caring for Eggs in the Nest
• Signs That Hatching Is Near
• Feeding Chicks After Hatching
• Chick Growth Chart
• Common Problems and Fixes
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Breeding Season: When Eggs Come

Sun conures breed most in spring and summer each year. Long days and mild heat put them in the mood to mate. Birds feel more keen and healthy in these bright months.

Keep the room warm, between 70 and 85°F (21–29°C). Hold humidity near 50 to 60% so eggs do not dry out. Give about 12 hours of light each day, with sun or a full-spectrum lamp.

Factor	Best range
Temperature	70–85°F (21–29°C)
Humidity	50–60%
Light	12 hours of daylight

Egg Laying: One Egg Every Other Day

Females lay eggs in tree holes in the wild and in boxes at home. Give them a clean, dry box lined with soft wood shavings. Put it in a quiet spot where no one will peek too much.

Eggs come every other day till the clutch is done. A normal clutch holds 3 to 5 eggs in total. The mother starts to sit once the first eggs are laid.

Day	Eggs in nest
Day 1	1
Day 3	2
Day 5	3
Day 7	4
Day 9	5

Learn how females nest in our guide to how female sun conures nest and how often they lay in how many times a year sun conures lay eggs.

How Long Do Sun Conure Eggs Take to Hatch? Incubation Period

Eggs take 23 to 27 days to hatch from the first lay day. The exact time can shift a bit with heat and care. Watch them close in the last week for signs of pipping.

Keep the incubator near 99.5°F (37.5°C) for best growth. Hold humidity at 50 to 55% with a hygrometer to check. Turn eggs a few times each day so heat spreads well.

The mother plays the key role in warming eggs each day. Both parents may share the sitting in some pairs. Her warmth and care shape strong chicks from the start.

Factor	Best setting
Temperature	99.5°F (37.5°C)
Humidity	50–55%
Egg turning	Several times a day
Parental care	Mother's warmth and care

Caring for Eggs in the Nest

Use a clean, dry nest box with soft bedding inside. Wood shavings or shredded paper both work well for lining. Put the box in a quiet spot, far from drafts and noise.

Keep the heat steady between 99 and 101°F in the nest area. Use a good thermometer and check it each day. Sudden swings in heat can harm the chicks inside.

Hold humidity near 50 to 55% with a hygrometer to check. If air runs too dry, add a humidifier near the cage. Too much damp can grow mould, so keep the balance right.

Need	Best range
Temperature	99–101°F
Humidity	50–55%

Signs That Hatching Is Near

In the last days, the mother stays close to her eggs. She turns them with care and guards them from all harm. You may hear soft chirps from inside the shells too.

Small cracks, called pips, show on the shells first. They grow wider as chicks push their way out. Tiny moves inside the shell mean a chick is on its way.

Sign	What it means
Small cracks (pips)	Chicks start to break through
Wider cracks	Chicks push out of the shell
Moves inside	Chicks try to get out

Feeding Chicks After Hatching

Parents feed chicks first, but you may need to help too. Use a hand-feeding mix made for baby parrots. Keep the mix warm, not hot, and use clean tools each time.

Feed on a strict clock in the first weeks of life. Slow the pace as chicks grow and eat more per feed. Watch their weight each day to be sure they gain well.

Age	How often
Days 1–5	Every 2–3 hours
Days 6–10	Every 3–4 hours
Days 11–20	Every 4–5 hours
Days 21+	Every 5–6 hours

Chick Growth Chart

Weigh chicks each day on a small scale for best results. Healthy chicks gain weight in a steady, smooth line. Sudden loss or flat growth can hint at illness fast.

Age (days)	Average weight (grams)
1–5	5–10
6–10	10–20
11–20	20–40
21+	40+

Keep the nest clean to stop germs from harming chicks. For the whole breeding path, see our guide to how to breed sun conures and how to breed pied sun conures.

Common Problems and Fixes

Eggs may fail if heat or damp runs too high or low. Check your incubator first, then candle eggs to test life. Not all eggs are fertile, so some will never hatch.

Handling eggs too much can harm the chicks inside too. Touch them with care and only when you must. Stress can make parents leave eggs, so keep the room calm.

Problem	Cause	Fix
No hatch	Wrong heat or damp	Fix incubator settings
No hatch	Infertile eggs	Candle eggs to check life
Parent stress	Noise or handling	Give a calm, quiet room
Germs	Dirty nest	Clean the nest each day

Conclusion

Sun conure eggs hatch in about 23 to 27 days with good care, and the sun conure incubation period needs steady warmth throughout. Keep heat near 99.5°F, damp near 50 to 55%, and turn eggs each day. Watch for pips, feed chicks on time, and track their growth.

With calm care and steady checks, your chicks will thrive. Enjoy the joy of new life, and ask your vet if unsure. Happy bird parenting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do conures sit on their eggs?

Conures sit on their eggs for about 23 to 27 days. The exact time can shift a bit with heat and care. Watch for pips in the last few days of the wait.

How long does it take for a bird egg to hatch once it starts?

It varies by kind, from 10 to 30 days in most birds. Sun conure eggs take 23 to 27 days to hatch. Heat, damp, and care all shape the exact time.

How many times a year do sun conures lay eggs?

Sun conures lay eggs 1 to 2 times a year in most cases. Each clutch holds 3 to 5 eggs in most cases. Learn more in our guide to how many times a year sun conures lay eggs.

What do I do if my conure laid an egg?

Give your bird a clean nest box and food rich in calcium. Do not take the egg out right away, and keep the room calm. Ask an avian vet for advice that fits your bird.