It's Saturday and the work for a breeder is never ending. This morning all the breeding cages had to be cleaned and the nests with chicks had there shavings replaced.

The avairy swept out and the feed restocked.

 

We in Australia are heading towards Summer. That means in Brisbane temperatures over 36deg C. In the avairy thats 40 plus. Not good for breeding. So most of my breeding has been through Winter. Average temperature in the avairy has been around 22deg C. Coldest morning was 4deg C. Not too bad.

 

With the Breeding season winding down in a couple of months there are chores to do.

I am now up to 9 breeding cages. 3 Doubles and 3 singles.

I have taken out one of the duals to recondition. It was my first one I ever got.

 

Cage with Breeding going on.

 

Breeding box striped down to refurbish.

 

First thing I did was to scrape and sand the interior and exterior.

Then gave a coat of exterior paint.

 

This is so that I can wash it and disinfect it as required.

 

The two Trays are also given a coat of paint.

 

and the fronts are sanded and sprayed with nontoxic rust proof black.

 

All the paint is non toxic. All surfaces are given two coats for protection.

 

Tomorrow - New Perches and new Nest boxes for next season. More Photos to come.

Edited October 11, 200618 yr by daz

Very helpful thanks Daz. Can you advise what kind of paint is the non toxic one we can get here in Australia please ? Thankyou Karen

Hi Karen I used British Paint 4 Season Low Sheen Exterior Acrylic in White.

It has a P.S.D.S on liquid for inhaling and skin contact.

Edited September 23, 200618 yr by daz

Continuing.....

 

I fitted the fronts after the required drying period.

 

Then the perches

I changed one the perches to a square one. It was 18mm square before I rounded the corners with a round over bit in the router.

The other perch is 12mm round

 

Finger draw for mineral and a cuttlefish

 

Iodine and Charcoal bell.

 

Trays fitted and off to the Avairy

 

Back in position and final fit out with Water and Seed.

 

 

I have desided to set another pair up. So I better get the Hen.

Sky Blue Cinnamon.

 

 

Nest box has to be prepared before time.

With fresh clean Shavings.

 

The hen will be in the cage for three days and then I'll hang the nest box. The Cock will join her next Saturday.

 

I hope you have found this interesting.

Edited October 11, 200618 yr by daz

Very Interesting. Thanks for sharing. What would be the latest time you would breed up to taking into account summer Temps.

Kelly.

Edited October 2, 200618 yr by Nerwen

Very Interesting. Thanks for sharing. What would be the latest time you would breed up to taking into account summer Temps.

Kelly.

 

 

hi Kelly

 

Most of the breeding is done from April to November.

 

I have some breeding boxes at the cooler end of the breeding room that are fine though summer but will probibly only breed two or three pairs. April will have nine pairs set up. Strangly enough january to march is the real breeding time. It's the wet season in Australia and that is when Budgies in the wild breed.

 

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Update.

 

I have left the hen in the breeding cage and introduced the nest box after three days. With in two days she has been in the box. On the saturday I introduced the cock.

 

 

They are not exactly excited to see each other, but this cock has never been that way.

I'll keep you up to date in a different topic.

Edited October 12, 200618 yr by daz

Topic Updated:

 

8 days after pairing the first egg appeared.