Where I live there are not many breeders in the area and the ones that do breed are associated with a bird store (they breed for their own pet store sales). I'm interested in begining breeding next year as a private breeder for hand raised violets out of love for them, but curious of input from current breeders. I've already read the breeder faq's on the site by feather.

 

What made you decide to breed your birds and what do you do with the babies once they are raised? How do you control your breeding population from getting out of hand once you start?

I started with a few birds in a cage, joined a club and then got into showing the birds.

 

As a professional Breeder registered with the Council I am limited to the number of birds I can have - 90 not counting chicks.

I breed for fun. I just love seeing the little babies surprise me with their colours and I love being able to hand tame them and make wonderful pets out of them. When they are raised I will be selling them (not to a petshop). I control my population by not putting nesting boxes in the cage. Although some budgies decide they want babies no matter what, but there are ways and means to stop this.

:ygbudgie: Hiho, Ravengypsy, have you also read our newest questionnaire about breeding?

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=16778 That will give you good insight if your circumstances are optimal right now.

Yes, I've read that post, and am aware of the considerations that should be made, hence my posting here to find out this information as one of my considerations for breeding. I have also read the entirety of the Master Breeder online link that Daz posted in another thread.

 

I'm not ready to breed yet (only due to my own research that I believe in doing before hand and my bird's ages to mature unless I decide to get a breeding pair already the appropriate ages). However within a year, I'd like to breed if all goes well.

 

for example the question posted in the questionnaire "12. Homes for the babies ?". I am in the USA, and curious how most breeders find good homes for those they don't intend to keep, since I would like to avoid pet shops.

 

One of the things I'm trying to consider is why breed? Personally I want to for myself (when my birds are mature), as I find the genetics of breeding to be enjoyable and I love the birds themselves... however I want to make sure that if I do venture into the world of breeding, that I do so for a reasonable reason and only after doing the research ahead of time and become a responsible breeder and know the answers to these questions before starting. This forum is a great resource for experienced breeders input, something that is lacking in my local community and I value your responses.

 

I truly would like the opinions of current breeders on why they started breeding when they began. Thanks

My reasons are much the same as Sailorwolf, although this has been my first time breeding. I have to admit to not doing much research as my partner bred many years ago and assured me it would all be fine and easy. I have found the more I read and learn though, the more I want to learn, hence joining my local budgie club. I have been told by the lovely lady there that they will help with the sale of your babies as they are contacted and pass on information. At the moment, I am just selling my babies to friends/work colleagues and am happy to keep them for as long as I need to and am hand taming as much as possible, so they are lovely pets. I will also be pulling my breeding boxes to control my breeding

i'm the same, a hobby breeder and will be joining a club soon as i would love to get into crested budgies. i normally sell to friends (some young are keepers but must go) and i just remove the boxes to stop them breeding

I breed for my own pleasure. I've kept all my babies except 2 that my sister has.

 

They all are in the aviary, and when i plan to breed a pair, i pull them and put them into a cage with a box. I have 1 pair i'm working with now, and another hen that has been pulled from the aviary and is in with the grass keets as she keeps laying eggs, so she's away from her hubby.

 

 

way off topic... does yoshe have a really bad overgrown beak? (looking at your siggy)

Edited October 12, 200717 yr by *BUUZBEE*

Thanks for all the answers so far, it's good to hear that I'm wanting to do this for similiar reasons.

 

As for Yoshe, I just recently saved her from a pet store about a few weeks ago, and to start my violets.. here she is in a better picture although her colors look more blue in the picture due to the lighting.

 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x271/ra...es/000_1858.jpg

 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x271/ra...es/000_1856.jpg

Edited October 12, 200717 yr by Ravengypsy

It must just be the shaddow of the leaves... those pics you linked look fine very cute!

Thanks Shes a sweety, and one I hope to breed when she gets older. (I hope).. I'm in love with violets, now if only I could find a violet opaline.. hehe. But I'm still worried about not finding homes for babies. I don't mind keeping them but I'd hate to get overcrowded with a bunch of siblings. And I'm thinking to lean more towards healthy pet birds, since those are more fun for me.

 

I did talk to a pet shop who breeds her own birds, that is willing to take any of mine that I don't keep. But not sure if I were to not keep them, if it's possible to find buyers instead to help cover bird costs

Yoshe is a violet opaline!!

Years ago I would sell to friends that (after seeing my crazy little house bird) wanted one as well- try the local newspaper, there is usually an animal section or put up notices at your local store.