teekiandindi

This seems like a silly question, but does a hen need to mate every time she lays a fertile egg? What I mean is, can a hen mate once and then produce (for example) 7 fertile eggs or would she need to mate, then lay an egg and then mate again to lay another and so forth…? The reason for this question is that my budgies have recently raised a clutch (3 budgies survived out of the 7 eggs but the 3 are very cute!). These baby budgies hatched around 6 weeks ago. The babies are now cracking seed on their own (have been for a week) so I removed the nest box yesterday as I did not want them to continue breeding (I think the hen is tired and I don’t want anymore budgies as I am not a breeder it was just a once off). However, after I removed the nest box, she lay an egg on the grate at the bottom. I was shocked as I did not realise they can start laying eggs again so soon after raising their first clutch. I was not really sure what to do, so I separated the hen from the cock (and the 3 other babies) and I have put the nest box in for the hen and placed her egg inside. I am hoping she will stop at this one egg as she will not be able to mate being alone (hence my initial question). If anyone has any thoughts or ideas to shed on this situation, it would be greatly appreciated . Thanks!

Great, thanks! I have found they love winter grass which is apparently safe. Does anyone know of any other grasses that are safe? (any pictures of those grasses would be useful too). I know that fruit and vegetables need to be given and I provide these, but my budgies won’t touch them. I need to give them some greens in the meantime and they love grasses so I want to keep going with that. I have provided gum leaves before and they love that so I’m going to try that again….

Oviduct The oviduct is the structure in which fertilization and development of the egg occurs. In actively reproductive females, this muscular structure becomes very thick and large. In the inactive female, it shrinks incredibly to a threadlike structure. It is connected to the body wall just under the ovary and transverses down to the cloaca. It consists of five distinct regions: Infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus (shell gland), and ******. Oviduct transit time varies among species and is approximately 24 hours. The infundibulum catches the egg from the ovary. Fertilization occurs here. The suspensory apparatus (chalazae) of the developing embryo is added at this level. The egg spends about one hour in the infundibulum before it moves on to the magnum. This portion of the oviduct deposits most of the albumen, sodium, magnesium and calcium used in egg development. This takes three hours. Then, on to the isthmus, where the inner and outer shell membranes are added. The egg spends about two hours here. The uterus (shell gland) retains the egg for 20 to 26 hours. During this time the egg receives salts, water, the shell, and shell pigment. The ****** is the thickest portion of the oviduct. The ****** does not contribute to the formation of the egg. The egg spends a few seconds here before it is expelled from the body. The ****** and cloaca work together during the expulsion of the egg. Sperm can be stored for about a week in psittacine (parrot) species. In turkeys, sperm can be stored for 40 to 50 days. It is stored at the uterovaginal junction in the sperm host glands (spermatic fossa). Ovulation occurs shortly after an egg is laid. In psittacines (parrots), the laying interval is two days (an egg every other day). In Passeriformes (softbills), lay intervals are 24 hours, but can extend up to four or five days. I would stop that pair from breeding for awhile. Do you have a less aggressive cock for the hen ? PS the forum is editing the word v a g ina...........everywhere there is *******it means v a g ina Great info! Thanks. This is all very hepful. Now, the cock seems to have settled down and I noticed when I was going to remove the box that there was an egg inside! Now I don't really want to take the nest box out....I was thinking though, since breeding is a stressful occasion for the hen, perhaps I can just try and get her to raise just one chick. The way I was thinking of controling this was numbering the egg with a soft pencil (2B) and then all subsequent eggs that she lays, boil them and put them back. Again, I have not read anything on others doing this so not sure if it is the way to go. Will putting in a boiled egg (eggs) next to the other fertile egg have a negative impact on the fertile egg?

Thanks Kaz, that sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't want anything to happen to the hen. She's gorgeous. Also, would you be able to tell me how long it takes for the egg to form in the hen before it is laid? I can't seem to find this info anywhere. Also, when do you think I could try putting in the nest box again?

Hello, I’m new to budgie breeding so would like to ask for some advice. I have recently introduced a breeding box into the cage for my two budgies. Teeki, the hen spends a lot of time in the box and recently, Indi, the cock, has started spending a lot of time in the box with her as well. I’ve had the box in for about 3 weeks now and over the last week, I have noticed that Indi has become quite aggressive towards Teeki. He will ‘bully’ her off her perch and basically won’t leave her alone until she goes back into the breeding box. When in there, he tries to sit under her. He doesn’t like her eating and wants to constantly feed her and take control. I even let them fly around in the room and he goes after her even when they are flying. I’ve read a bit about breeding (about the diet they need, problems such as egg binding and about the incubation period) but I have not come across this behaviour. I’m quite concerned and am thinking about removing him from the cage or just removing the breeding box. I’m also wondering if anyone knows how long the egg takes to form inside the hen before it is laid? I wouldn't want to remove the box if an egg has started forming....Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Hi, I have two budgies who I have fed paspalum to in the past. They seem to love it and it hasn't appeared to harm them. However, I was at the pet shop recently, and I was told not to feed paspalum to budgies as it is poisonous. Have other people found this? I have stopped feeding them paspalum just in case.