Cage Considerations and Nesting Boxes Love Bird

There are two ways to breed lovebirds: in large aviary groups or by individual pairs in separate breeding cages. Because I want to carefully control the color mutations in my lovebirds I use the latter method. Besides, it is much easier to "keep the peace" among lovebirds when they have separate cages. You can remove pairs from flight cages at breeding time and place them in smaller cages more suitable for breeding. Obviously, the bigger the cage the better. The birds should be able to "beat their wings" without hitting something every time. They should be able to climb and play for exercise. If you don't have enough room for this, you're probably not in a position to breed birds at this time.
Many people think that supplying toys and the like will distract birds from mating. I don't find this to be true, and birds with a varied environment are happier and hence more likely to make good parents. Don't forget: lovebirds are very playful, clownish creatures and they need an appropriate "stage" for their antics.

The nestbox is your next consideration. While many people use a large parakeet or cockatiel box, I have found that I get the best results with English budgie nesting boxes. These open on the side via sliding, two-part door. They have a little raised platform at the entrance, then a lower area for the hen to nest. These are nice because the hen can have company while nesting (the cock will sit on the perch over the raised platform or will sleep directly on the raised platform) without being crowded. I think it also makes it less likely for eggs to be cracked if there's ever a panicked rush into the nestbox because they dive on the raised platform first, then move down to the nesting area.

Make sure you nesting box doesn't have sliding doors that are "swollen" as this makes it very difficult to inspect the eggs. If the doors are very tight in the grooves, I remove them, file or sand down the edges a bit, then put them back in and test for easy sliding. It will be less agitating to your hens if you don't have to wiggle and force the door every time you want to peek in. It's your choice if you want to leave in the concave wood piece that is traditionally included with budgie nesting boxes. Lovebirds make quite elaborate nests, so you don't generally need them. However, if you have a lovebird who's a lazy nestmaker, you may want to keep this wooden piece so eggs don't roll around in the nestbox.
I hang the nestbox on the outside of the cage, then use wire clippers to cut a hole in the cage wall. Make sure you file down any sharp points on the cut wire. Make sure the nestbox will not get wet in the rain. I use plexiglass to cover my outdoor cages year-round. It keeps out harsh sunlight in mid-summer and keeps them dry during the rainy season.