My birds all get an excellent diet and some are currently in breeding condition but of course none of the one's I want to breed are

 

Are there any tricks to get them moving?

I'm not a breeder, but from what I read on the threads here, the most important thing is diet. then the surroundings. as long as you make your hens feel safe and that they have everything they need they will breed... make sure they are having lots of greens and a nice healthy diet and they should be fine...

:Sigh:...that's what I'm doing, it's just the wrong ones going into condition

Edited May 2, 200817 yr by melbournebudgies

Put the hen and the cock into a breeder cage with NO nestbox attached. She will be in condition within 1-2 weeks. Attach the nestbox and see how fast those first eggs arrive !!

 

It's all about getting a twinkle in their eye

Edited May 2, 200817 yr by KAZ

Thanks Kaz, I'll give that a try. Why no nestbox? Does it confuse them or something?.... got the edit They need to dream of chicks and contemplate the time ticking away a little first huh.

Thanks Kaz, I'll give that a try. Why no nestbox? Does it confuse them or something?

Its about bonding time and knowing that they are together for a reason....by the time you put the nestbox on or uncover the nestbox hole, they are DESPERATE to make a family

My nestboxes are attached to the front of the cages at a sliding type 'cage door' if I close that door so they can see the entrance but can't get in will thatbe enough or do I need to cover the hole completely so they can't see it?

I guess the idea of not having the nest box in is to prevent them breeding before time. I had the same problem that you are having where the hens had pale Ceres, so I put a couple of pairs in the breeding cabinets & within two weeks the Ceres had darkened up & they went down on eggs. I still had the nest boxes in & in most cases they didn’t enter the boxes until they went into condition.

My nestboxes are attached to the front of the cages at a sliding type 'cage door' if I close that door so they can see the entrance but can't get in will thatbe enough or do I need to cover the hole completely so they can't see it?

cover the hole so they cannot see it at all

I use sprouted seeds or buffalo grass for the ones that just need that extra kick , Make sure your cock bird is in condition if he is out then she has no chance , its the cocks that help bring on the breeding condition.

With what they get fed they should all be breeding like rabbits!

 

They get: mixed seed, apple, carrot, celery, bok choy, fresh corn, soaked lentils, peas, broccoli,egg and biscuit sprinkle plus all their vitamin and mineral supplements. I spend more on fresh food for them than I spend on myslf!

Make sure they arent too fat...fat budgies dont breed well

Other than a couple of fatso rescues in there all my budgies are lean, mean, chick producing flying machines!

Other than a couple of fatso rescues in there all my budgies are lean, mean, chick producing flying machines!

:hap: :hap: Maybe they are taking a break through winter :hap:

They have just had a nice break, I only just started putting up nest boxes again. It's just frustrating when there are plenty in condition but just not any of the ones you want

Other than a couple of fatso rescues in there all my budgies are lean, mean, chick producing flying machines!

 

So where's the chicks MB...I know what you mean I have some pairs that even look in condition & have been in the cabinets for ages, but they just wont do the deed. Bit frustrating some times, but as they say "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" [unless it's thirsty] maybe our birds aren't thirsty enough as yet...we need patience.

I have one pair on eggs, the rest are just being lazy

I understand about the ones you want to breed that haven't yet. But when they do it will make it even more special!!

Budgie hens come into season every 7 weeks so as long as she is happy & healthy just wait until you see the telltale signs . . .