Posted July 1, 200618 yr Hello to All, I must first apologize to all of you veterin birders. I am very new to this and unfortunately made the mistake of 'putting the cart before the horse'. We bought a lone budgie about 3 years ago. A beautiful blue/white a bit of black Harlequin (according to the pet shop people). In my limited reading on the subject at the time, I assumed this bird was a female. Pale pink cere. A few months ago, I got it in my head that our bird should have a friend. I bought a pale blue male. They got along famously. I then, a month later, bought another two bird, another male and female (or so I was told). So now I had 4. Before long two of the birds (the two I had bought together) started fighting all the time. I did some more reading and discovered the problem that can occur when two hens are together. I bought another cage and separated these two (again thinking that the two were hens). The day I moved the one bird, the bird that I thought for the past 3 years was female, begins to mate with one of the last pair. I moved the second purchase (definitely male) in with the other. okay, so now I think?? I have 2 cages with a male and female in each!! The one couple has been seen mating and the other couple has certainly shown signs of interest. I then go and purchase all the necessary equipment for them to have what they need for laying eggs. That was 2 weeks ago. During the past two weeks I have read as much as I can find on breeding and behaviour. I came home from work the other day and the one couple that has been showing signs of interest are now showing signs that they might both be males !? (both trying to get onto one anothers backs). okay, now that you have all settled down from your laugh and disbelief in my stupidity... I have one more addition to tell you about. I ran out and bought yet another bird (definitely female) and put her in with the two males?. Now I don't know what to do? I don't know what in the world I really have!! The one definite male (deep blue cere) and the definite female (dark brown cere) are in the cage with the maybe male? He/She has a very friendly relationship with the male and is also warming up to the female. The other couple mated 2 weeks ago and have yet to show any signs of laying eggs. I need some direction! I want these birds to be happy and comfortable and not forced into anything damaging because of my ignorance. Any suggestions!?
July 1, 200618 yr if you have a camera you could post a picture of each bird and we will be able to help with what you have untill then i would remove nest boxs ect if they lay without a nest box which is unusual you can through the eggs out till we know more
July 1, 200618 yr Thank you for your quick response and suggestion. I have taken pictures of the 5 birds. The true colour of their ceres are a bit distorted but I hope that they are clear enough for you distinquish their genders for me. Bird #1 purchased 3+ years ago, cere is a solid pink colour. Bird #2 purchased a couple of months ago, cere is a deep blue. Bird #3 (has a white cere) purchased with bird #4 a month and a half ago and has been seen mating with bird #1. Bird #4 (cere is purpleish with white rings around nostrils) in cage with bird #2 and with bird #5 (purchased a few days ago, with a dark brown cere). Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. http://ca.msusers.com/BudgiesBehaviour
July 1, 200618 yr Hi, can't see the pictures, there are a couple of good posts on here about how to post pictures, good luck! Also, it is in the wee hours of the morning in Australia so you probably won't get answers from any breeders unless somebody in Great Britain or the US comes on. Edited July 1, 200618 yr by Phoebe
July 1, 200618 yr Firstly, most of us have been guilty of finding out about our feathered ones after we've found we are making some 'ballsup' of the whole thing, so your in good company Take the boxes out - doesn't matter if they mate, they don't need a box at this time, I'm sure you agree. Post some pics, and a clever clogs on here will be able to tell you what sex they are (after years of keeping them they still keep confusing me). As regards any aggression etc. A nestbox is going to cause that for sure. What size cages are they in? How many toys do they have? Do you change them regularly, or at least rearrange the cage often (stops them becoming 'territorial', do you have a couple of feeders and drinkers per cage - sometimes one little sod thinks the seed belongs solely to them How much flight time do they get?
July 1, 200618 yr From your description (I couldn't see the picture) of your budgies, I'd say... budgie #1 & #2 are boys, and budgies #3, 4 & 5 are girls. how old are these boys? and I assume that you didn't quarantine the new bird before putting them together. It is strongly recommended that all new birds are quarantine and kept away from your original flock for at least 35 days to make sure that it doesn't harbour diseases that can be passed on toyour original flock. Cheers.
July 1, 200618 yr No, it didn't. If you are using photobucket to host your pics (you can get a free account there), then you will find under each picture are 3 lines of codes. Copy the last line, and paste it here.
July 1, 200618 yr I can see them now but I am useless when it comes to sexing birds, again more experienced folks will come along.
July 1, 200618 yr Oooooo your birds are so cute. After seeing your pics, I will stick to my first guest... #1 & #2 are both boys, and the other three girls.
July 1, 200618 yr okay thanks. So now with regard to housing properly. I have #1 and #3 together in a cage 19"Wx25Hx19"D and I have #2, 4 & 5 in a cage 28"Wx 28"Hx 14"D. Are they okay? Is there enough room? If #4 & #5 are both females, should they be separated?
July 2, 200618 yr I agree with Cheeta. No 3 Is a hen that looks to be out of condition for breeding or is still young. She is a recessive pied (Harlequin) No 2 is clearly a male and look to be a dilute. No 1 is another male this is the one you where told was a Harlequin, could I see a picture of his back/wings? No 4 looks to be as a young hen ( under 6 months and so not ready to breed yet) No 5 is a hen and in breeding condition, she looks to be a clearwing. Boy numbers are confusing with birds, do they have names?? A bonded pair like one and three will mate at any time to keep the bond strong, but to breed this hen now would put extra stain on her body. Wait until her cere looks like no 5's does before giving them a nesting box. Remember this is if only you want to breed them, the birds can live happily as a flock with out breeding, there can be some fighting between hens when they are in breeding condition but normaly if there is nothing to be seen as a possible nesting site they behave. What do you feed them? Just seeds is not a well balanced diet for them ( I was sure you stated what they were given but I can't seem to see it now) Start offering them fresh food like carrot, brooccli, apple( no seeds), pears, sprouts, mung beans and bocchoy or any other dark green leafy veg. If they havn't had it before they will take a while to eat any, but once one is brave enough to try then will all fight to get a bit. Even soak their seed until it sprouts is good for them. Mixing some boiled mashed egg is also good for them it gives them heaps portein. This is a really good to give them daily when breeding and raising chicks. I'm sure there is other stuff to give but someone here will remember I'm sure
July 2, 200618 yr Thank you Nerwen for your help. I have taken a picture of #1 Willis' back and also of his 'lady friend' #3 together. I understand that she is too young to consider breeding her (I believe her to be about 4 months old) but these two mate several times a day! I have removed the nesting box as you and others have suggested but even so, if they are mating will she not produce eggs? even if she is too young?? All of my birds get a variety of fresh vegetables/fruit everyday. They particularly like the lettuce from our garden. I have also purchased a variety of commercial food for them that offers a number of vitamins and supplements. Thank you for your suggestions about their food. I will have to try the boiled egg. I have bought egg bisquits for them and I didn't realize that they could actually have a real egg. With regard to names, The only one with a name is #1 Willis. He was named by my son when we got him 3+ years ago. As I am new to this, I really hadn't thought about names yet. I have been observing their behaviours trying to see if any names suited each one. Here are a few pics I took a few minutes ago. Willis feeding his lady Willis and #3 Willis' back
July 2, 200618 yr Mating is a way of bonding. In rare cases she will lay an egg, but I would doubt she would. Budgies need certain things before they will breed - plentiful food and water - we know yours are getting that! They need 12 or more hours light, and a suitable nesting site. You've taken out the box, some rare hens will nest in a seed container, or on the floor of the cage. But that is rare. More likely is she will drop the odd egg, and ignore it. But, most likely of all is that she will not lay at all (just a note here, a male is not necesary for a hen to lay an egg, they can lay infertile eggs without them). If you feel laying eggs might be a problem, simply cover earlier, ensuring they only get 10 - 12 hours light.
July 8, 200618 yr Evening All! I wanted to introduce you all to our new addition, Joey. You'll all be pleased to know that all of the budgies now have names. Bo & Billie Erin & Joey (Irish Green) Maggie & Willis
July 11, 200618 yr thank you for the added pictures Willis does look recessive from the back, I just thought it odd with that straight like on his belly. Not to say it can't happen. They all look wonderful, please keep a very close eye on them since joey wasn't kept sperate for 30 days. I believe he is an olive.
