How long do you keep pairs together with no sign of eggs before splitting them up? I've had some pairs together since the start of July with nothing happening. Should I wait a bit longer or should I try swapping pairs?

they might not be breeding because they dont like eachother, theyre moulting or they dont like theyre setting. I would split them up, pair both of them each with another budgie in September and then next breeding season during summer pair them back up. If you do pair each of them with another guy, let them have only one round or else there wont be time for breeding with eachother you could also split them up and just wait for a month or two then put them back together

They do like each other. They are always preening each other and the hens work the box. Just no action. It's not the setting as I have 2 other pairs with eggs.

hmm..toughie are they too old or something or out of breeding con or moulting probably they just dont want to breed like i said before i would split them then put them back together

Yep I'll give them until the weekend and then swap over partners. Or I might go buy 2 more hens to try some new blood.

Yep I'll give them until the weekend and then swap over partners. Or I might go buy 2 more hens to try some new blood.

 

You'd need to quarantine the 'new blood' for 30 days before giving them a whirl

 

I have read that you can cover the hole of the nest box with something... carboard maybe??? and poke a little hole in it... apparently it can help get them in the mood (so to speak) as they rip it and chew their way in... nesting etc... and yeah... home sweet home and eggs!?!? Never tried it though!

Pull them out and into a flight for awhile......check them for signs they may be moulting or have gone out of breeding condition. Even if you buy other birds you will have to quarantine and give them time to settle in so thats another 6 weeks or so. New birds on new food and new home often moult.

Fair enough. Thanks for all your replies. The only flight I have houses Princess Parrots and some finches so I guess that won't work. Maybe I'll just swap partners over and see what happens.

Fair enough. Thanks for all your replies. The only flight I have houses Princess Parrots and some finches so I guess that won't work. Maybe I'll just swap partners over and see what happens.

So if your birds arent breeding they have nowhere to go ?

Where are the breeding cages these pairs are in? Are they being put off breeding by distractions etc??? We often need to look outside the 'box' to find the solution... maybe it's not the hen or the cock... is it the environment, the conditions etc... Budgies will only breed if they feel conditions are right...

Edited August 11, 200915 yr by maesie

The breeding cages are inside an aviary that houses Princess Parrots and some Gouldian Finches. I am organising another aviary as we speak to house them in the "off season" when they are not breeding. It's not the environment because I have other pairs with fertile eggs in the same bank of cages inside the aviary.

The breeding cages are inside an aviary that houses Princess Parrots and some Gouldian Finches. I am organising another aviary as we speak to house them in the "off season" when they are not breeding. It's not the environment because I have other pairs with fertile eggs in the same bank of cages inside the aviary.

 

 

Every budgie is different. Just because some breed doesn't mean all will. Some may not feel safe or comforatble breeding with Princess Parrots flying around them.

Just for the record..............budgies cannot stay long term in small cages. After breeding they need space to fly in an aviary. If held up for too long in small cages there will be muscle wastage, and hens have trouble laying eggs.