Colour Pairings

Posted December 31, 200717 yr

Hello all, hope all is well,

I am hoping to receive some advice on paring for colour outcomes. I currently have 5 pairs of budegies (show type). I am only a starter so long way to go. I have a few budgie books etc and a 3.2x1.7m aviary with 4 x breeding cabinets.

I have placed a few pairs together for breeding purposes. I have a query about one pair. They are both Spangle type. The cock is a 2005 bird and a violet/purple spangle with white wings and white head. The hen is a green spangle with yellow wings and face and is a 2007 bird. Is it a good thing to place these together as the babies will be double factor spangle? What kind of baby colour may I expect them to throw? I have a 2004 big violet/blue cock that I was going to place with the Green spangle hen but opted to place the spangle violet with her instead. Which cock would you recommend I place with the hen? I think the hen initially paired with the violet cock when in the aivary flight cage but I placed her into the breeding cabinet with the violet Spangle instead. The spangle is wanting to mate with her but I think she is confused, ie: she is young and 2007 bird and way be listnening to the Violet cock she paired with in the flight area as he is still there, not sure what I should due. Any suggestions are welcome, I have taken pictures of the birds for you but unsure how to upload them.

Thanks

Bibinjac

December 31, 200717 yr

When you say the hen is a 2007 bird do you know her hatching date? she maybe too young as yet to even breed with. Hens need to be 12 month old (at least) before breeding.

December 31, 200717 yr

Author

Thanks Nerwin, she is a Jan 07 bird, has already moulted and has a brown/reddish cere and is crushing buttle fish bone like mad. Would you think pairing 2 x spangle together is a good thing or should I pair her with another normal type.

thx

December 31, 200717 yr

okay then so she is almost 12 months

what are you wanting from the pairs? birds to help with showing or something colourful. With show it wouldn't matter what mutation the birds are (in this case) what you are wanting is nice all round birds for the show.

Spangle to spangle have been shown to improve wing markings and the Double factors can minimum. Since it sounds like you have set up the pair already (spangle and spangle) i would leave it and see what happens, as a first time hen there is a lot she needs to learn.

December 31, 200717 yr

Author

I guess I am in the process of learning also so in summary I am looking at keeping/breeding "good" bird types. I'd prefer to keep nice sized birds and prefer not to mix anything with anything so I need to do more research on mutations etc. I am hoping with the spangles I'd be able to have spangle chicks, but as you say it's the first time for the hen, and for me in one way so we are all learning , it could end up that if she is sucessful then I can pair her with onother type next time round...all peninding on outcomes I guess. I wouldn't rush into showing but I prefer to keep the show bird type. I want to make sure I utilise the cocks I have as one is an 04 bird and the spangle is an 05 bird.Here are some of the pairs I have.