Hi. Just wanted some thoughts on winter breeding. As I live at home my birds are not allowed 'anywhere but the aviary' lol. When I breed my birds they are placed in SECURE (aviary birds cannot enter the cage) breeding cages within the aviary itself. I usually don't begin breeding until late August-eary September but recently have seen 2 pairs of birds mating. I am unsure if I should place them in breeding cages with a nestbox. It has been down to 7 degree's C some mornings (although I am sure it is colder than what the weather men have been saying as during the week I start work a 3am lol) and would be concerened that with the cold will come probelms. Any thoughts?

Last year I colony bred my birds in August and i had 6 lil pink chicks die from exposure on one frosty (4 degree) night

My advice is, don't do it until the nights warm up more.

 

Your birds at the moment would be mating just for the fun of it too

Thanks Liv. I noticed that some people were already breeding and that's what got me thinking about whether or not I should start now. I know in the wild they breed after large amounts of rain which is what we've been having up in Queensland and thought that might have something to do with them feeling the need to breed.

Insulation is the key there. A tree hollow is extremely well insulated, compare that to a thin wooden nest box.

Hi. Just wanted some thoughts on winter breeding. As I live at home my birds are not allowed 'anywhere but the aviary' lol. When I breed my birds they are placed in SECURE (aviary birds cannot enter the cage) breeding cages within the aviary itself. I usually don't begin breeding until late August-eary September but recently have seen 2 pairs of birds mating. I am unsure if I should place them in breeding cages with a nestbox. It has been down to 7 degree's C some mornings (although I am sure it is colder than what the weather men have been saying as during the week I start work a 3am lol) and would be concerened that with the cold will come probelms. Any thoughts?

 

Hi Lisa yes some of us are breeding now i have 3 pairs to date with eggs but they are in a breeding room and i have covers overthem at night as well in an open aviary well i think it would still be a little to chilly yet

I say why not , as long as the boxes are protected from any southly winds and drafts.

Wild Budgerigars breed in the Desert areas , do you know how cold it gets out there at night ,

FREEZING.

Edited July 21, 200817 yr by lonebudgie

I have my boxes set up in a spare aviary (pics in aviary section) its been between 0-3c at night here every night, make sure birds have plenty of good tucker and shavings in the boxes. So far no losses, 7C isnt too bad but just be prepared to lose a chick or 2 in case of the worst happening.

YES - I have just had 2 clutched of 5 chicks raised and currently I hen on 6 babies ( 1 died at 2 days old ) I am in NSW which is cooler then QLD - i do however do what TB says - I adjust the nestboxes so that the wind isn't blowing on there - if i know that it is going to be extremly cold i add a tarp over the aviary

 

If you were to bring your outdoor birds in - they will have to adjust to the climate changes and vice versa -

 

Just a questions how well did the clutches go with the Cabinet breeding within an avairy?? I tried this before and they ones in the cabinet were to busy worring about the free flight birds to actually breed : (

I am currently breeding my budgies but they are in an enclosed area in the warmth of our garage. Even then I lost two newly hatched chicks I am presuming from the cold. But other than them I havent had any other problems. I think its a bit too chilly though to be breeding them outside.

When I used to breed in the aviary I lost babies to the cold nights. I lose very few with birds breeding in a a breeding room now.

Edited July 21, 200817 yr by KAZ

lisevenn I live just north of you at Warner. I start breeding in May and finish in January/February. I have an enclosed aviary and don't have problems with the cold. Many Breeders breed fro Jue/july to January/February. The birds don't mind.