Posted April 12, 200718 yr Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but am planning to go back into budgies after a long period without any. I first had budgies in about 1954 when I was a preschooler. I remember a fantastic blue cock called Inky, that I now realise must have been a cobalt. That's a colour I want again. I'll say at once that I don't like modern show budgies. I don't see what has been achieved by turning lovely, active little birds into lumbering, boof-headed hulks, but I recognise the skill and knowledge that has gone into modern breeding. I'm very happy for people to have that type, as long as I can have old-fashioned types, which are still available in places, I think. I've thought of acquiring some wild budgies (from breeders) and crossing them into the show types to ultimately get a more wild conformation along with the beautiful modern colours. Does anyone know of breeders of wild types in NSW or Victoria? Can experienced people give me some advice on the best way to begin, given that I want birds that have been bred well to variety, but not of the really exaggerated show type?
April 12, 200718 yr Welcome to the forums! If you're looking to establish a breeding stock go to a breeder. Many people breed the smaller "pet" type budgie and in my experience they are the most commonly found budgies for sale in pet shops and from many hobby breeders. Buying from a breeder rather than a pet shop will mean that you'll start with unrelated budgies and you'll know their ages and possibly even any hidden genes they have. This is providing the breeder keeps good records of course. I'm not sure of any breeders in your area but i'm sure someone here will be able to help you!
April 12, 200718 yr Yep, I agree.. find a good breeder. I saw some itsy bitsy budgerigars in a pet shop today, that I would have sworn were bush budgies, except they all looked like they had at least 1 dark factor. Then I noticed that a lot of their budgies, of all colours, were really tiny, which probably indicates poor condition inbred budgies that probably wont live very long. I have just put 6 pairs of budgies into breeding cages and done just what you are talking about. I have put larger budgies (well bred by a member of this forum) with smaller, pet type budgies, in order to increase the size and health of some of my pet store budgies. I, like a few other members of this forum, also keep exhibition budgerigars which I will start breeding separately in July. I find that they aren't at all a lumbering budgie, if they are healthy, but many people don't like that look. Each to their own. feathers. Edited April 12, 200718 yr by feathers
April 13, 200718 yr Hello there and welcome to the forum! As a pet owner, I am not into the boofy head show types as well but they certainly are very distinguished looking. You will find many topics on here that will be of interest to you, enjoy. :fear Edited April 13, 200718 yr by Phoebe
April 13, 200718 yr Author Thanks for the welcomes and advice, everyone. There are several options, but the important thing is not to rush from enthusiasm, and to think it out first. I'm moving at the end of the year, so shouldn't do anything but research before then. I'll be looking for breeders in Victoria next year. There are show breeders around here as well as pet breeders, and the local petshop often has good budies form both types. Right now they have a fantastic (to my eye) light green hen, who is a real apple green. She's a bit boofy and big, but not bad even for my tastes. After having thought over decades of all the cage bird options, I keep coming back to budgies. They have so many qualities as an interest, and their merry activity is a most engaging trait. I even like their chattering, though that's a potential problem for neighbours. I remember once waiting at the gates for Taronga Park Zoo to open, and the dominant noise coming from inside was from the budgie aviary. It eclipsed the lions' roars.
April 13, 200718 yr :fear Budgies Rule! :(Laughing out loud): Actually, on the rare days I have to sleep in, I close my bedroom door as my other species of birds get loud, I am usually okay with the background budgie noise of my 5 and am not disturbed. But with an aviary full, I am sure it would be much more loud. I love the fact you are not acting on enthusiasm/impulse and waiting until the time is right. :fear
April 13, 200718 yr Thanks for the welcomes and advice, everyone. There are several options, but the important thing is not to rush from enthusiasm, and to think it out first. I'm moving at the end of the year, so shouldn't do anything but research before then. I'll be looking for breeders in Victoria next year. There are show breeders around here as well as pet breeders, and the local petshop often has good budies form both types. Right now they have a fantastic (to my eye) light green hen, who is a real apple green. She's a bit boofy and big, but not bad even for my tastes. After having thought over decades of all the cage bird options, I keep coming back to budgies. They have so many qualities as an interest, and their merry activity is a most engaging trait. I even like their chattering, though that's a potential problem for neighbours. I remember once waiting at the gates for Taronga Park Zoo to open, and the dominant noise coming from inside was from the budgie aviary. It eclipsed the lions' roars. :fear You've got "the Bug" :fear
