I have kept budgies for over 2 years & this is the first time that I have had an eggs laid. I lost one yesterday as it was stuck to the hens' chest feathers & got broken but she has returned to the nest so I am hoping that she will lay more. I have since discovered another hen has layed 2 eggs in her nest. Because I am totally new at the breeding process any advise will be very much appreciated. How many eggs can I expect? How long do they take to hatch? If it is succesful, do I leave the babies in the avery? Do budgies breed during a moult? Many thanks for any replies. :beer:

You can expect up to about 10 eggs but they don't usually all hatch. Eggs are layed every second day and hatch in the same order after 18 days. If the eggs hatch then you should just leave them with mum.

Edited April 1, 200520 yr by Bea

You can expect up to about 10 eggs but they don't usually all hatch. Eggs are layed every second day and hatch in the same order after 18 days. If the eggs hatch then you should just leave them with mum.

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Thanks for that, now another question, sorry I hope I dont end up to be a pain in the you know what, but, i noticed the boy that seems to be the responsible party is only feeding one of the hens, is this okay?

Is the boy and the hen mates??? They do pair up for breeding and the male feeds his mate during the time that the hen is in the nest box. And don't worry about asking questions!!! That's what the forums are here for!

They are definetly mates, it seems as tho he is mates with any hen that is available, but is the Father of both lots of eggs of that I am positive, I have seen him in action, he is the smallest male in the avery & seems to be the dominant one. Its a pity in a way as I have some beautiful big boys. I have tried separating 2 at a time, but it wasnt successful which is why I just left them all in the avery together.

if he is the sire of both sets of eggs and is now only feeding one of them then the other female will either continue on her own (which they can do) or abandon the eggs. If she does that you could move them over with the other hen if you are not overburding her with too many mouths at the end of it.

Eggs are layed every second day and hatch in the same order after 18 days

sometimes the hen does not start to incubate untill after the second egg is laid so the first could be around 20 days so dont worry if they dont hatch after 18

Do budgies breed during a moult

moulting is a stressfull time and normally the birds arnt in breeding condition so i would candle the eggs after 4 to 6 days to see if they are fertile

Yes some budgies can take up to 23 days to hatch it has a lot to do with the climate and your aviary layout

Breeding them all together is very stressful for the female as she has to guard her nest 24/7

I find its best to breed in separate cages

But don?t get me wrong it maybe good for me and others love to breed in a big aviary

Well I hope you get good results and good luck

Yes some budgies can take up to 23 days to hatch it has a lot to do with the climate and your aviary layout

Breeding them all together is very stressful for the female as she has to guard her nest 24/7

I find its best to breed in separate cages

But don?t get me wrong it maybe good for me and others love to breed in a big aviary

Well I hope you get good results and good luck

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I think for the moment I'll just leave things how they are. I guess I will learn as I go along as to what works & what doesnt. Will keep an eye on things as far as the 2 hens are concerned with feeding etc. At least one of the hens is very tame & I could move her if necessary. I would have prefered to have them in separate cages but it just wasnt working, but now that I have nesting, I can certainly try it for next time. I have a cage which is big enough to do this with out any crowding.Thank you all for the advise, it is so appreciated. :beer: