Well after many months of research (and saving!) and now with the addition of the aviary, I believe I'm finally ready to start breeding.

 

As part of my birthday present I got two breeding cages:

 

 

I created an area in our garage (using an old desk at the moment) to stack them on. Though the opposite wall is made up of very large shelving, which we use to store old basketball gear, that could easily fit about 12 of these cages.

I'm going to clean this out and place them in there (two newies will be in there later, they are doing quarantine in the fernery).

 

As you can see I haven't attached the nesting boxes yet, grandpa is bringing them down tomorrow, though I won't be adding a nest box to my newest additions cage, because A) I want them to settle in first and B ) I don't know if I want to pair them up.

On thursday I'm going to another bird dealer so I shall see what they have in they way of budgies, plus I'll be buying another breeding cage.

 

All the cages have this cool little feature (one on each end):

Which saves having to cut a bit out of the cage!

 

Just one question, I know the perches should run width ways but is how far apart they are from each other a cause for concern? If so, do I need to shift mine?

 

Any other words of advice would be much appreciated and very welcome.

 

Now all I have to do is tell myself to have patience :budgiedance: !

Looking good With the perches, have on at each end of the cage so they can fly back and forth, not too close to the ends of the cage so they can mate properly without getting tails caught up. Dowel perches that come with cages usually arent thick enough for a good grip....you may want to change them....but thicker dowel and use the others for a pattern to cut new ones. Remember birds also escape from nesting boxes as you lift the lid for a peak at them so have a net setup over the hatch door as you look each time once things begin to happen :budgiedance:

 

PS give the new budgies a few weeks before breeding and be very sure they are old enough.

Edited February 12, 200817 yr by KAZ

Well done Bec , will be looking foward to your journey of breeding and pics of course.

Ahh yes Patience , the test of all tests if you ask me , especially with budgies .

Goodluck :budgiedance:

Congratulations Bec, I hope all goes well for you and that you have many successes! Can't wait to hear some more news.

 

As for the perches, I am only in my second season of breeding, and so there are many others here who can help you more than me ..... but i was told by a breeder i bought one of my budgies from that he has one of the perches square rather than round, as it helps the female to grip better while mating. My hubby made me some square ones for my breeding cabinets and they do seem to only use those when they are mating .... i'm sure thats not the case with all, but just food for thought.

 

Good luck again!

Exciting news Bec. Your cages look like a good size and you seem well planned. I cant wait to share this journey with you... Good luck with the pairing and the waiting!!!

Looking good With the perches, have on at each end of the cage so they can fly back and forth, not too close to the ends of the cage so they can mate properly without getting tails caught up. Dowel perches that come with cages usually arent thick enough for a good grip....you may want to change them....but thicker dowel and use the others for a pattern to cut new ones. Remember birds also escape from nesting boxes as you lift the lid for a peak at them so have a net setup over the hatch door as you look each time once things begin to happen

 

PS give the new budgies a few weeks before breeding and be very sure they are old enough.

 

One at each end, got it. Thanks Kaz .

With the dowel, I used the one's that came with the cage (they were pretty thin) for the 'bottom' perch. Dad had some thicker stuff in the garage which I sawed up and used for the top.

Though I'll go to bunnings and by some thicker dowel anyway.

 

:budgiedance: Yes, my (other) grandpa warned me about escaping budgies. So I'll definitely have some sort of net set-up on hand.

 

And I had planned to give the budgies a few weeks before breeding, I'd like to have all my birds as stress free as possible .

 

I always ask how old they are, though that does not mean it is the truth unfortunetly, and was told by the bird dealer today thay my new YF2 cock approx 15 months and then hen was approx 14 months.

good luck, l look forward in following your breeding journal

Good luck with your breeding

Looks good bec i think they'll go well in thatLooks good bec i think they'll go well in that

Thanks guys .

Well I've moved the perches and today grandpa brought down the nesting boxes....but forgot the hooks to attatch them to the cage....whoops.

I scrounged around for some in the garage and I found a few that looked ancient and were beyond rusted....they are now in the bin.

So tomorrow it's off to bunnings to buy some thicker dowel and hooks (before going to the other bird dealer).

 

Unless there is another way of attatching the nestingboxes???

There's probably several ways of attaching them Mine in the 2 breeding Cages i owned were done by hooks also... so i have no other ideas for you ...

But have fun at bunning and the bird breeders place

Thanks guys .

Well I've moved the perches and today grandpa brought down the nesting boxes....but forgot the hooks to attatch them to the cage....whoops.

I scrounged around for some in the garage and I found a few that looked ancient and were beyond rusted....they are now in the bin.

So tomorrow it's off to bunnings to buy some thicker dowel and hooks (before going to the other bird dealer).

 

Unless there is another way of attatching the nestingboxes???

 

Not sure on that one Bec, but have fun at Bunnings. I LOVE that place

The hooks will work best for your cages. One thing to remember is when the weight of a nesting box is added to one side of the cage ...something must make sure the balance is right or the cage tips over. Stack cages or put a half brick on top.

Well today I got my 'supplies' at bunnings and nest box number 1 was attatched to Arwen & Estel's breeding cage this morning.

I didn't have a problem with the weight, but thanks for the tip Kaz .

This evening I went into the garage to take out the veggies and Arwen was in the nesting box with Estel hovering around the entrance (they certainly didn't waste any time ), I hope this is a good sign .

Well today I got my 'supplies' at bunnings and nest box number 1 was attatched to Arwen & Estel's breeding cage this morning.

I didn't have a problem with the weight, but thanks for the tip Kaz .

This evening I went into the garage to take out the veggies and Arwen was in the nesting box with Estel hovering around the entrance (they certainly didn't waste any time ), I hope this is a good sign .

 

 

Keen little buggers!!!

Sounds like good news already!!! fingers crossed, for you arwen and estel !!! Bubs soon!!!!