Is it okay to pair a young (as in 6,7 month old) male to a 2 year old female...so all the male has to do is fertilise the eggs, and let the female raise the babies (perhaps foster some if there are many and only do one clutch) so he doesn't have to do anything? I'm just wondering if this would be okay, as I would only pair up birds that are 12 months +, maybe the male 10 months..how would 6 or 7 months be? And not all the time of course, just once he would be alright wouldn't he?

Thanks.

I think you're putting yourself in unnecessary risk doing this. Yes it may work, but the chances of something going wrong are much higher without the dad being involved in raising them or knowing how to properly.

I think you're putting yourself in unnecessary risk doing this. Yes it may work, but the chances of something going wrong are much higher without the dad being involved in raising them or knowing how to properly.

 

 

Okay so what are the things that can go wrong if the male doesn't help with raising the chicks?

I'm not necessarily doing this, just finding out if it would be a viable option..

I wouldnt...he is far too young.

I agree with Kaz

Not yet mate ....

 

Sperm count would be way to low also being a dad is alot of hard work especially the feeding ...

Best to wait a while ... a longer while

I agree he is far to young and why take the risk. A hen can get very upset if the male is not experience and doing what she wants and she could attack and kill him.

 

The best thing you can do is set up a pair for success so that means that they are both mature physically and mentally to raise a clutch together there is no reason anyone should put a pair into a situation to stress out either birds.

He is still only a baby not even a teenager yet, he is too young. I would wait until he is older and more mature

Okay then. But 10 months, with an older female, is alright isn't it? That's what I've heard, and seen people say on here too I think.

Okay then. But 10 months, with an older female, is alright isn't it? That's what I've heard, and seen people say on here too I think.

I have been told 10 months too, but to use him and not let him raise the babies. I followed some advice to use a 10 month old cock before too, but when I used this advice the cocks were silly things who didnt mate properly, often got in the nests and broke or addled the eggs, and didnt feed the hen...just sat on the perch looking stupid. So now I prefer to wait till 12 months.

Okay then. But 10 months, with an older female, is alright isn't it? That's what I've heard, and seen people say on here too I think.

I have been told 10 months too, but to use him and not let him raise the babies. I followed some advice to use a 10 month old cock before too, but when I used this advice the cocks were silly things who didnt mate properly, often got in the nests and broke or addled the eggs, and didnt feed the hen...just sat on the perch looking stupid. So now I prefer to wait till 12 months.

 

 

okay. This bird that is 6 months old is already trying to mate with the girls in the aviary, and feeds his 'mate' (female he bonded with) all the time. He is quite 'charming' to all the females..do you think he would be a good father when he is older? (I'll breed him at 12 months and let him help her raise the babies anyway)

okay. This bird that is 6 months old is already trying to mate with the girls in the aviary, and feeds his 'mate' (female he bonded with) all the time. He is quite 'charming' to all the females..do you think he would be a good father when he is older? (I'll breed him at 12 months and let him help her raise the babies anyway)

 

 

You cannot tell just by him being "social" as to whether or not he would be a good father. Time and experience will show you that. :hi:

I agree with Kaz :hi:

In my mixed aviary of birds I have young (ie 3 to 8 months) cocks and hens that you swear by their behaviour were ready to breed. But basically they are just learning about life. I'm always wary of cocks under 12 months of age as they may be physically mature but in most cases they're just plain silly. Of course their are exceptions. I judge my birds on an individual basis and when they are used to breed for the first time I observe their behaviour to make sure they are seem mature enough for the task I have set them. Otherwise one or both are returned to the flight for a few months. I only have a limited number of breeding cages and I can't afford the birds chosen to fill those cages think it's party time :fear

 

So, would I use the 6 month old cock to breed? He's still a kid, let him be a kid.

I totally agree with Daryl

I think I like to agree :fear

BUT Daryl is right and I stand by him 100%

I have a bird that in the avairy sits next to his chosen mate but does not feed her, does not look like he wants to mate with her. When he was over a year old I put them down to breed and it was like a light bulb went off he got with the program and bang one of the best dads I have, I can even remove him from his mate with a chick that needs extra TLC for 24 hours and he feeds and sits on the chick, he then makes sure he feeds this chick from them on.

 

However back in the avairy shows no intrest in anything!

 

Another pair I have down at the moment where going for it like flys in the avairy doing everything right, put them in a breeding cage and nothing they sit there and look at each other.

 

So untill you get them into a cage it's hard to tell. Also the dads do more then you think and a hen by herself and kill herself trying to feed and sit etc... better to wait and know that you are giving everyone the best possible chance.

Good point AV... Its all well and good to say that the mother can handle it but its not always that easy...