Hey guys, I know for show type budgies 8 months would be considered too young but I have a male pet type who has bonded strongly with an 'older woman'. He is about 8 or 9 months old and she is about 18 months. I have tried putting her with other males but she completely ignores them and is only happy again once I give up and put her back in the aviary where she races to her 'mate'. Just to check whether it was just the difference betwen the cage and the aviary I brought both of them plus another male in to see how she reacted and the bonded pair are tucked over one side together feeding each other and preening and the other cock is being ignored. I really want to breed this girl before she gets much older but it seems the only way it is going to happen is with her younger man. What do you guys think, should I let them have a go?

Yes. Must be budgieluv.

Is that yes I should let them have a go or yes he's too young. If they were both young I would definately have held off but given she is older I was thinking it wasprobably okay.

Most people would say he is still too young. I don't really know to be honest. Maybe wait a month or 2. The males don't get as physically exhausted as the females in breeding, however he may only have breeding on his mind, not family raising. lol

 

I think he is just a little too young. You want him putting energy into growing not reproduction at the moment.

Edited June 2, 200816 yr by Sailorwolf

some problems with breeding young cocks is clear eggs

Hmmm. sounds like most people are sitting on the fence. Maybe I will let them have one go now, if they seem to be struggling I can foster the eggs, if the eggs are clear well we will wait a few more months and try again. I am totally convinced that if there was a nest box in the aviary they already would have had a go by now, they were in love when he was about 5 months old! Atleast the hen is older so she will be the one that really needs the extra age, if he is a dodgy dad she might still handle things if he does manage to fill the eggs.

I say give it a go put them in a seperate cage and see what happens if they are clear atleast she has laid a first lot and might get more into the swing of things i dont see how it can hurt rather let them try and have clear eggs than seperate them and break there hearts and probably have to wait 1 year???? Go for it!

I started a similar post a while back. Some good responses on here http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....c=19632&hl=

Thanks Derek, I replied to that one myself but couldn't recall what other members ad thought and couldn't find the thread when I went looking.

From what I understand, it is okay to breed a younger cock to an experienced hen, because it certainly isnt as physically taxing on his body like it would be on a young hen. I think I would give it a go myself, its her health you need to look after and you dont often hear of cocks abandoning clutches, its usually the hens!