Daz

Not exactly right. Many periodically breeding species, such as the Budgerigar, appear instead, to use other sources environmental stimulation and are not highly affected by photoperiod. For instance, when comparing the effects of natural daylight with a regime of 2 hours of light and 22 hours of darkness and 6 hours of light and 18 hours of darkness, there was no difference in egg laying incidence of singularly caged Budgerigars as long as they were provided a nest box and exposed to male vocalisations. In fact, hens kept in total darkness but provided a nest box and exposed to male vocalisations also laid eggs at the same rate as those exposed to natural daylight. This is just one study. Tommy just keep them going as is. How long have they been in the breeding cage?

Sorry about Bitty <{POST_SNAPBACK}> what happened to Bitty. Bev lost Mr Burns? Don't tell me Bitty is gone too

Lettuce also has the effect of giving them diarea (sp?). Brocerli (sp?), celery, carrots is better.

Stress can cause this but as eterri asked what is her diet? Too much of certain foods cause this as well. Especialy lettuce.

Make sure she has plenty of water and seed and just keep checking her. If she starts to look worst take her straight back to the vet. I would also try to get a thermometer to keep a check of the temp so that she dosn't get over heated.

Well I think my wife agrees with you....but I don't know why

Well my info came from a English web site so I don?t know I have never done this myself but I suppose this would be a last resort I can just imagine a kid getting dad?s hair clippers and going to town owe it only hurts when I sit down But if you know a male bird that is fertile just try and mate it sometimes it?s the male and sometimes it?s the female. Just a matter of trial and error. Well all the best and I hope this helps <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have heard the same. It is mentioned in the Master Breeder.

Sorry to hear that Bev. Another gone to the rainbow bridge.

I'm wondering where in Aussie you live too!!!! I'm in W.A and we have had some storms lately. I am also having the same problem with my birds, so I am finding these answers interesting. I can't take my boxes out ,so I,m going to try and cover the holes somehow. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If you can't take out the boxes, how do you keep them clean

Why do you ask Vickey, are you having trouble?

What part of oz are you from ktdsmurf? I am here is Brissy.

Thanks Adam, I've been adding information to my collection. This will certainly help.

Well Chirpy, That says it for me. Good Going Hath, Best of Aussie luck.

Does anyone know where I can get a poster or book or something on the different colours and strains of colours for budgerigars. I am interested in knowing what colour is what?

All animals get vitimin D from the sun. Budgies included. If you do only use atificial light make sure you consider this fact. Also am I right to assume that you are going to keep the budgies in cages inside the shed with no access to sunlight.

If you start to see her going in and inspecting the nest box wiat. If she starts spending more time in the box scratching about, count out 9 days, approx, for the first egg. This is if everything is going right. Also the male will start entering the nesting box about 6 days before the first egg is laid. A good hint is if you see him feeding her while she is in the box.

I'm doing the same as hommer. 30 to 33 days to the approx time for fledging. But every bird is different. :fear

Hath I have gone out and bought locks for all the cages but i think it will only keep out the honest people. Hope you do decide to start again and not to regret not doing it later.

Hommer thats bigger than my set up. I love it. I just wish I had the space. 43 Birds you'll have to change your profile from 36

Hath, I am so sorry to hear about the awful news. This is something I fear as well. I hope you have the strength to pick up the pieces and rebuild. I have spoke before that I wonce breed budgies in my teens. (41 now). I didn't say why I stopped. I woke up one morning to find someone have broken into my aviary. All my birds where either dead or gone. I didn't have the strength to start again. I regret that. Now after 25 years, I am starting again. I should have continued back then. Try not to make the same mistake I did. Try to find the strength to restart. You have support here with your friends. All the best.

JennieB. It sound like a trip to the vet is called for. 1. Separate the birds. You don't want the second one infected. 2. Keep the sick bird warm and make sure he has plenty of water. 3. Arrange for a vet/avian vet to see him asap. It maybe a virus. One thing to remember is that budgies rarely show illness. So if you are seeing a sick budgie, it is time to quickly get him to a vet. Good luck

As eterri has put it. You have a sick bird. The chiching sound could be from a respitory infection. The only way to truely find out is a trip to the vet. Hope all goes well.

We are all dying to hear how he is. Hope all is going well. Let us know what type of diet he is on.

Now that is something I could build. If I had the room Oh well we can dream. Andy you can use galvanised but wash it down with one part vinagur to 4 parts water. Make sure all the "dags" off off the wire and then give it a spray of black paint. It will be good. Heres mine.

wow hang on there. Lets just put the cage on a carasol and turn it 90 deg when they are a sleep. That way they can never get their bearings. As far as light is conserned. it doesn't make too much difference. If it did. England could breed budgiesx as well as here in Australia because the light is different (not true). Bea got it right. Don't give them nesting boxes. Simple as that.