Like to say a big thankyou to everyone who has given me some pointers added them all into my budgie file.

 

I am looking at setting up an avairy big one in a few months. Not that I would ever do it but does breeding related birds cause genetic deformities as none of my books really discusses this. I cringe at the thought but my mum had an avairy with a few nest boxes in it and the birds just bred away im sure with their siblings quite a bit. She had some lovely colours tho.

Now I would like to breed most of the birds that will fill my avairy and since I have some babies now (parents had been to the vet and had a clean bill of health) should I get some rings so I know whose related to who. Remember im not selling these I'm just breeding till my avairy is populated and then stopping. Or should I start with birds from registered breeders and join a club and get proper rings incase i decide to go further. I have decided that I dont trust anyone to give my babies to so im going to keep them, well these first ones anyway. I must sound like an idiot.

 

And from what Ive read colony breeding is not the best way to go (inbreeding risk) or have i grasped the wrong end of the stick.

 

Anyone who has the patience to answer my questions I thankyou

Hi there,

Breeding with related birds is frowned upon in most circles unless it is done with line breeding in a more controlled environment and for show birds. The thing about letting birds breed indescriminately would mean some genetic faults will multipy and you may well end up with weaker birds with all kinds of problems. I knew someone who did the large aviary with nesting boxes and any bird could breed with any bird thing ....the resulting birds were disastrous. Sickness, weakness, feather faults, budgies with very tiny size, flight problems, foot and beak deformities etc. Pretty colours ...YES, but thats not what its all about in the long run.

Putting colour coded rings on certain bird families will help you recognise who they have come from, but it wont stop brother and sister mating and making babies in the aviary. Colony breeding can also create stress on the birds which in turn brings out sicknesses and death.

I am probably more qualified than most to take about colony breeding on here as I have done it with a large aviary and I now do breeding with breeder boxes. I have a smaller aviary that just a couple of pairs share in colony style but all needs to be closely monitored. The rest of my birds are in "holiday camp" unless they are separated out for breeding in breeder boxes.

Joining a club is a good way to go. It's a real eye opener and you will get a taste for better quality birds. The birds you buy when you are starting out in budgies and the ones you are buying in, once you know a bit more are hugely different by contrast. I would be happy to advise you with regard to good budgie clubs.

Any more questions I will be happy to answer.

Cheers karen

Edited January 8, 200718 yr by Bubbles

Thanks for that

What I wanted to do was buy a few pairs breed from them and have them colour coded no boxes in my avairy tho.

Then when the babies were old enough breed them with offspring from other pairs and so on until my avairy was looking populated but not crowded.

My avairy is going to be a bit extravagant I have $7,000 to spend on it so im making a kind of planted style all safe plants of course and a water fountain made birdie safe so no drownings for them to bathe in. Also seen a few really good water reserviour things for drinking water for avairies. More natural is better for their health do you agree?

Whether i spend all the money or not is another thing and my breeding is going to take a while. Seeing as i want them mostly to be bred by me.

So as long as i keep track of whos related to who and dont breed those together im cool.

Also i think i may be hooked

 

Yes I see you in WA too good budgie club info would be great, you are all so nice on here

Edited January 8, 200718 yr by kerrie

PM me with your location and I can help you with budgie clubs.

I had a fully planted out aviary for my budgies when we moved into this house with fabulous aviaries. The dodgy plants according to the safe and non safe list were removed, but it left some fabulous ferns and palms and groundcovers that were safe.

In short, the budgies DECIMATED the lot !! Nothing had time to grow back before they were eating that too. Ity wasn't as if they didnt get vegies and healthy greens daily, but they would rather eat the palms.

Your planted aviary will look great, for a brief moment. Maybe to consider would be to use rocks and woodchips and plants in pots. When the plants have been "got at" you can bring them out for a "breather" and rejuvenation and rotate some other potted plants into the aviary.

With regard to breeding with your own related babies, I often sell on my produced babies privately and to approved buyers in order to introduce "new blood" into the aviary. Even the pretty ones I would rather keep have to make way at times for some new and unrelated bloodlines. Its a choice that I have to make as I flatly refuse to breed related birds in my pet types and until I learn more about line breeding for show I maintain the same philosophy.

Have fun here on our forum

Edited January 8, 200718 yr by Bubbles

I live in WA in Rockingham, so any clubs around that you know of Id be interested in.

 

Good thing you told me bout them decimating plants, didnt think of that pots would be good compromise tho

and easy to hide the pots for aesthetics. Also cleaning would be easier. Thanks for that saved me pulling my hair out later down the track.

 

I guess if I get in with a club I would be able to find nice owners for my babies. I also am starting to realise that I will probably want to keep on breeding specially when I see some of the beautiful birds you can get. Dont think Ill get into showing though those birds look a little weird (please noone take offence personal feeling).

Yes and new blood is a must I was been a little idealistic thankyou for showing the reality.

I so appreciate the help

Thankyou

No worries Kerrie. The clubs are really for showbirds but you should go for a look anyway. The club best located to you is this one http://www.swbudgerigarclubmandurah.com/

but failing that a bird club will also suit your needs. I will try and find out for you.

The club I just gave you a link to ...their next meeting is the 21st Jan.

Thankyou very much.

I dont know what all showbirds look like so Maybe I should just wait and see I just had a friend who had a few show budgies in their house their dad showed. I just remember how big they where and they had giant heads I was a bit scared of them. But Im a grownup now that was many years ago so I will open my eyes and look at whats around