Hi All.

 

My children have decided to breed some of their budgies. We had 12, in a large aviary 6m x 4m - but rather than just add breeding boxes, they choose to selectively breed. We caught one breeding pair - both the cock and hen were 2 years old - and we placed them in a medium size cage, with breeding box attached and placed them outside the main aviary, in the airlock area, where we have a sink etc. The pair (Peter Pan and Tinkerbell) could see the rest of the flock. Right from the start the cock seemed very excited. He climbed all about the cage and constantly sat himself in the seed tray and kicked out all the seed. Less than 24 hours later, I found him deceased on the bottom of the cage.

 

We kept the hen segregated for 24 hours before placing her back with the flock and she seems fine.

 

Did we do something wrong or was it just bad luck/timing? I would really appreciate some advice as my daughter is most distressed.

Just bad luck and timing perhaps. They do undergo stress in breeding but that wouldnt have been the result over such a short period of time. Had he gotten over a moult ? Was his bottom clean and did he have decent weight on. He may have been sick when you selected him and you didnt notice.

that is so sad RIP Peter Pan!

thats very strange!

Just bad luck and timing perhaps. They do undergo stress in breeding but that wouldnt have been the result over such a short period of time. Had he gotten over a moult ? Was his bottom clean and did he have decent weight on. He may have been sick when you selected him and you didnt notice.

 

Thanks for your reply........He was well over his moult and he was very clean and healthy. In fact, I really gave his body a good look over and found nothing. He was eating well and seemed fine. Could then hen and caused this?

Just bad luck and timing perhaps. They do undergo stress in breeding but that wouldnt have been the result over such a short period of time. Had he gotten over a moult ? Was his bottom clean and did he have decent weight on. He may have been sick when you selected him and you didnt notice.

 

Thanks for your reply........He was well over his moult and he was very clean and healthy. In fact, I really gave his body a good look over and found nothing. He was eating well and seemed fine. Could then hen and caused this?

No. I doubt the hen caused this. Maybe a heightened anxiety state triggered a heart condition in him. Would have had to be something very obscure and not easily anticipated for him to go that fast without warning.

Some birds that have been in flights and then put in breeding cages have fits. (Stress) I do know of a bird that goes the other way. He has fits in the Flight and not in the breeding cage. :hap:

 

This could have happened.

 

it is always best to pair up in the morning so the birds have all day to get used to the new surroundings before it gets dark.

Oh I am sorry to hear this your daughter must be upset .... From what you and Kaz have said the only thing i could think about was the birds wormed!!!!! and are they only feed seeds as an ALL SEED DIET can lead to fatty liver disease

It's hard to tell what's wrong with budgies sometimes, because they exhibit the same symptoms for multiple illnesses. And they usually don't show symptoms until the illness is advanced.

 

I hope like Daz suggest stress brought on a heart attack and Nothing to serious, A vet can sometimes toa biopsy to tell you the cause of death if you are concerned ....