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Pairing: Hyacinthines reach sexual maturity at about 4 years of age. Usually a pair can be bonded within a year or so. (This is from another source) Housing: In this case they were housed in a cage 4 feet wide; 8 feet long and three feet high. This cages have been outside in the mild Florida climate, about 4 feet above the ground. Cages need to be very strong to resist the beaks of the parrots. "The nest box is a wooden whiskey barrel laid on its side with a seven inch diameter entrance hole in the end to be fastened to the cage. ... The entrance hole is about three inches from the edge of the barrel so when positioned the deeper portion forms the nest area which is filled with clean wood shavings to a dept of six inches. ..." "The barrel should be attached to the opposite end [of the cage] from the feed and water conatiners. ..." To protect the nest box from rain and heat this part of the aviary has a roof. (This arrangement seems to be successful, because I also saw it here in Germany in Zoos and Bird Parks.) Incubation and hatching: Noegel reports that the clutch consists of two eggs. In the Florida location nesting occurs from April to August. Incubation period lasts about 28 to 29 days. Noegel also describes that eggs have been bred in an incubator. The young then may need some assistance to leave the nest. It is also possible to have the eggs incubated by amazon parrots, in case the natural parents are unexperienced. Weaning: "If permitted the hand feeding of a young Hyacinth will go on indefinately... - ... competition is the key ... " (as far as I understand, you'll need some other bird at the same feeder...). At the age of ten weeks the bird took soaked monkey chow and dog chow. Also raw seedless grapes were taken. "Care had to be given for more than once the bird over stuffed itself." The Hyacinth had been successfully weaned at the age of 3 month. Diet: The birds were fed with seeds, peanuts, fruits and vegetables. As these macaws in the wild are some sort of specialized in certain palm nuts which are not availiable on the market, R. Noegel recommends bigger pieces of coconut, shell and flesh as a replacement. During the breeding season raw corn on the cob and coconut were given with additional dog chow, monkey chow and a soft food mix on the bases of wheat bread, blended fruit, powdered milk, honey, vitamins, egg shell etc. General: The first clutch should be given to foster parents or moved to an incubator. Hyacinths often destroy the first clutch. Noegel says: "Privacy is the most important factor for breeding. Keep strangers out of your aviaries. Above all express love and care to the birds, they soon will appreciate your approaching their aviary..."