Hi I Have Just Started Breeding Budgies Any Tips

[budgie-babe 0]

hi i have just started budgies im 16 and i want some more info on what to do i have my dad who is an ex budgie breeder but i want more info at the moment i have butch and bubbie they are natural green but have dark blue/purple tails

Edited January 15, 2008 by budgie-babe

[budgie-babe 0]

hi i am new i have started breeding budgies any advise

[Zebra 0]

Hi and welcome. First you should read the FAQs section. There is a lot of very good info And if you have any questions there are many experienced breeders here to help

[**KAZ** 0]

Happy to have you here. As far as advice about breeding....its kind of like asking "How long is a piece of string ? " Please tell us about your birds and your set up, birds ages etc. Read the FAQ section and then ask anything you like.

[budgie-babe 0]

well at the moment the are in a medium cage but in a few days i will be getting an xl aviairy it will contain 18 breeding boxes heaps of food and water it has a grass floor natural grass not the plastic stuff it will have mineral suppliments such as cuttlefish bone and there will be only two birds in it depends when i get money to get more

[maesie 0]

In my experience I would not colony breed. I started out this way but ending up with toeless budgies due to the hens trying to kill each other. Regardless of how many breeding boxes I had, it didn't seem to matter. I prefer to separate them into smaller cages and pair them up. If you were just going to breed the two you have and not get any others, the avairy would be fine, although you wouldn't need that many nest boxes. That being said there are members here that colony breed successfully, so the choice is yours. Your best bet would be to get as much info as you can and then make up your own mind. Good luck and keep us updated. :(Laughing out loud):

[budgie-babe 0]

my dad and my uncle started with 16 birds in an avairy and when the babys where old enough the removed them and sold them and ended up with over 100 birds in not much time

Edited January 15, 2008 by KAZ
edited for spelling shortcuts

[maesie 0]

Sounds like you already have some great knowledgable people around you. It's exciting breeding budgies (or any bird for that matter), so much to look forward to. There are lots of experienced breeding here also, so I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice.

[budgie-babe 0]

thank you i was just wondering what is the best green food for budgies

[**KAZ** 0]

my dad and my uncle started with 16 birds in an avairy and when the babys where old enough the removed them and sold them and ended up with over 100 birds in not much time

I wonder if your Dad and Uncle remember how many fights and deaths there were compared to the healthy fledged babies. It does happen unfortunately when you colony breed that way. I hope it doesnt upset you too much when you get excited about the babies and then possibly experience the "down side" of colony breeding.

[budgie-babe 0]

my dad said there where only some deaths but other wise it was all good and it is a realy big avairy

Edited January 15, 2008 by budgie-babe

[**KAZ** 0]

my dad said there where only some deaths but other wise it was all good and it is a realy big avairy

How big are your plans for your new aviary ? Is your dad going to build it for you or are you buying one ?

[budgie-babe 0]

well we are getting it from a friend it is about 5 mt long and 4 mt wide and two metres high but it will only have 5 pairs in it

Edited January 15, 2008 by budgie-babe

[maesie 0]

The green food you're asking about I'm assuming is fruit and vegies... check out our FAQ's "food and nutrition" it has some great tips. My budgies LOVE corn on the cob... Hard boiled eggs are also good when they're breeding (shell and all) mashed up.

[budgie-babe 0]

thanks as it also good to have grass for the floor because i read it is good for them

Edited January 15, 2008 by budgie-babe

[**KAZ** 0]

well we are getting it from a friend it is about 5 mt long and 4 mt wide and two metres high but it will only have 5 pairs in it

Sounds excellent. Ask your Dad to put it on concrete slabs or rodents will dig their way in.

[budgie-babe 0]

we where going to dig a trench around it and put sheet metal in it going up about 40cm high to prevent rodents and 20cm deep

Edited January 15, 2008 by budgie-babe

[*libby* 0]

I cabinet breed selected birds and colony breed all others. Colony breeding can cause problems and i highly recommend that any bird causing problems be removed immediatly before a death occurs. I remove my nest boxes several times a year and watch which pairs breed so as to make sure noone over does the MAXIMUM of 3 clutches per year.

As my young are placed in the aviary once eating and flying well it is also very important to make sure you take them out if they beleive they're of age to breed. NO bird under 12 months old should be bred and if they try it can cause horrible problems. A dark brown "in season" cere does not mean it's ready to breed. As for greens for the birds, i find they love lettuce, winter grass, milk thistle and the best for them of all is bok choy or spinach.

Best of luck with your birds.

[budgie-babe 0]

thank you i have had my birds for 4 days and i have noticed that the male keeps feeding the feemale and sits next to her and preen each other they have only known each other for four days dose this mean they will be a good pair

[**KAZ** 0]

thanks as it also good to have grass for the floor because i read it is good for them

The grass wont last long as grass in an aviary. Concrete slabs allows you to clean better and prevents mice and rats. Tin partway up from the base also helps. Then you can pick eucalyptus branches, seeding grass and hibiscus branches and put in every so often for additional food and fun for the birds.

thank you i have had my birds for 4 days and i have noticed that the male keeps feeding the feemale and sits next to her and preen each other they have only known each other for four days dose this mean they will be a good pair

It means they are happy to be with each other. How old are they ? They need to be around 12 months old before you add a nesting box to where they live or breed.

[budgie-babe 0]

she is around 8-9months he is 7-8 they dont have a breeding box as they are too young but he sings to her non stop even when it is midnight

[**KAZ** 0]

she is around 8-9months he is 7-8 they dont have a breeding box as they are too young but he sings to her non stop even when it is midnight

Sounds very cute

[maesie 0]

she is around 8-9months he is 7-8 they dont have a breeding box as they are too young but he sings to her non stop even when it is midnight

 

 

Awwww, how sweet.

[budgie-babe 0]

i have them feeding on budgie seed, fresh grass (picked every morning) cuttle fish bone , fresh water and little *** bits (apple,oranges and stuff from the fridge )