maesie

I agree 100% with Kaz's advice... Buying a budgie to keep inside and train also sounds like a great idea. Both male and female budgies are trainable, but you'll find males don't bite as hard as females, and you can teach males to talk also. As to the nest box advice you got... that's really bad! Budgies don't sleep in nest boxes or snuggle huts or any of that other stuff they try and sell you in pet shops. Once they leave the nest box, i.e. fledge, that's it. A breeder should really know that sort of stuff... Anyway, I'm glad you came here to get better advice and I look forward to the photos.

Do a search in the breeding topics. There are plenty of informative ones there with the info you require.

I've re-read your topic several times and I just don't understand... As highlighted above... if you thought that if a parrot got a chance to fly away it would and never come back, then why did you still do it??? If you no longer wanted to keep it you could have re-homed it to someone more responsible. And then I read your other topics about buying more birds and breeding... Are you going to let these new birds go to when you don't want them??? I also don't believe you are responsible enough to breed your birds at this time. Breeding involves a lot of effort, understanding and commitment. You're responsible for the welfare of your birds and their babies, and a lot can offen go wrong, even with expert and long term breeders. I don't mean to be harsh, but I tell it like it is and am looking out for your birds. My recommendations would be to not buy any more birds, and look after the ones you have now. I'd also spend time looking through this forum. We have hundreds of post about general budgie care, bredding etc... It sounds like you have a lot to learn, but if you are willing to do so, there is no reason you can't breed in the future. I just don't believe you are ready now.

I hope you did this inside and not outside... because if not, you have pretty much just killed your budgie!

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Girl budgies done have blue cere's... BUT it's completly normal for male budgies to feed and kiss male budgies, and the same goes for female-female. Nothing to worry about I'd say.

I agree with Kaz... I was reading your past topics, and if that's what you're refering to... stop colony breeding... Simple!

So sorry for your loss. Atleast she is at peace now.xxx

Cheeky bugger! lol... Just brain storming here... does he have little doors for his food and water, can they be pushed open... can he lift/push open his normal door... is the cage sitting on some type of base and can he lift it up and sneak under? Maybe try tying all the access doors shut and see if this helps... it might narrow things down for you. Good luck and let us know how you go.xoxo

Yep... I agree with Dave and Kaz. I moved house with a nest full of chicks and Mum and Dad. I left all my other birds at home with Mum and Dad in the aviary but this family needed more attention. My trip was only 10 minutes, but all went well. Be sure to put the cage in a nice quiet room when you arrive to let them settle in too. Some nice yummy fresh veggies too. As you'll be romving their water for the trip, you can also put in some moist veggies for the trip so they can get some fluids from them too. Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

My birds love corn too, it never lasts long and they pick at it till the cob is un-recognisable. Great holder too, I might have to borrow that idea...

Sorry for your loss xxx

Different food is made/prepared for different animal... Guinea Pig food is made for Guinea pigs, not Budgies. If I were you, I'd start by putting their seed back in, you can't just supliment it with new food and expect them to adapt. So, seed back in and then I'd be offering them fruit/veggies daily. The key is to keep offering them different things and change the way you serve them. You can chop up carrot, apple, spinach and put in a bowl and then sprinkle a little seed over the top. If your budgies like spinach it could be the key to getting them to eat other veggies and fruit. You can also poke pieces of fruit and veggies through the cage bars or buy a fruit skewer and put them on it. My guys LOVE corn on the cob and Bok Choy. You've just got to keep offering them stuff and evenyually they will eat it. Just be prepared to waste some of at the start.

I moved house with a breeding cage, Mum, Dad and chicks/eggs (can't remember what stage they were at). They couldn't stay where they were as they needed regular checking so had to come with me. I had no problems. The choice is yours though...

Yes, sure does.

It's basically an issue with the growth of feathers. If you do a search on here of it, you'll find lots of topics about it. Sorry to hear this Kaz xoxo

I'm no expert but will try and answer best I can. 1. How do we stop them mating? You can't stop them mating, but it's also normal for budgies to have recreational sex... without leading to eggs and chicks. 2. If we take the nesting box away, will she nest somewhere else in the house? She still uses the nesting box occasionally to escape the male, but there are no eggs in there. She may still nest somewhere and lay elsewhere, but if you don't want her to lay, I'd remove the nest box straight away. They don't need them unless they are breeding. If you find she picks another spot to nest, move things around as she wont feel comfortable nesting there if things change. 3. If i wanted to take my male back home with me, is it mean to separate them? Do they mate for life? How long have they been together? It's not mean to separate them, considering they have lived appart previously. Initially they will probably miss each other, but if you both spend plenty of time with your individual birds, they'll get over it and be fine! Just expect some different behavious, possibly loss of appitite etc... Lots of TLC will help them though. 4. How many infertile batches should you let them lay without harming the female? If a pair was to mate, lay eggs and raise chicks, it's recommended not to let them have any more then 3 clutches in a row without a substantial rest. However considering your hen hasn't raised any chicks, just layed eggs and looked after them, I would think it wouldn't have as much of a toll on her. I however would probably still stick to three and then a rest, as producing and laying eggs is still hard work. Good luck and let us know how you go!

Awesome news!!! Wooooooo hooooooo... so thrilled for you!

Yes... you should always remove the shells from hatched chicks. They can get stuck on other eggs and prevent them from hatching. P.S. Really sorry for your loss, they're always hard to take

Looks like a beautiful old house. Good luck on decision making... I'm sure you'll come up with the right answer.

Sadly, my precious Lucia is no longer with us. She was put to sleep yesterday after going down hill suddenly. She was limp and unresponsive when I rushed her to the vet, but her little heart didn't want to give up the fight. She was strong right to the end. I miss her terribly but know I gave her a wonderfull chance at life. :emoticon112:

Good save Dave! I'm sure she'll repay you for you good work in now time, nice looking hen she is...

Agree with Kaz on the rough nail perch. I'd put some natual branches in there... they're rough enough for their nails and they'll have fun pulling them apart too!

Congratulations... very sweet photo!

Agree... you need to take him to an Avian Vet now. Birds hide illness very well, and by the time you notice they are sick, it can be too late. I'd be making an appoinment asap, and while waiting, pop him in a cage inside with a warm lamp. Also clean his bottom if it's blocked/dirty. Good luck and please keep us updated