I have 2 birds. An olive green cock and a blue hen both about 18 months old and different stock.

 

They seem friendly enough and seem slightly interested in the nest boxes. I have two boxes in the cage.

 

There don't seem to be any signs of wanting to breed.

 

Why?

Edited October 28, 200915 yr by KAZ

You said you have nestboxes IN the cage. How much room is left in the cage ? As nestboxes are best fitted externally on a cage for space within the cage for mating behaviour and also for ease of checking nestbox for you once babies arrive.

Edited October 28, 200915 yr by KAZ

The cage is approx 1 metre wide 60cm" high and 45 deep.

I have two boxes in the RH end fitted externally and at the top of the cage.

 

I will try and get a picture of it.

 

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Yep, boxes IN the cage tend to be low down or even on the floor, usually a 'wah wah' flop as far as breeding goes. Nest boxes should be fitted externally, as high as possible (with a few inches clearance from the roof of course).

I recently saw a budgie breeding set up where the person was having trouble also. They had put the nestbox in a good position but access to it meant flying to the wire and scrambling in. Make sure the perches make access to the box easy enough for them to be in and out.

Boxes seem to be okay.

The birds happily go to them and even perch there at night.

 

They just don't seem to bond.

 

I have another hen.

Is it worth putting it in with them or will that create more problems.

 

I am beginning to think that the cock is gay. LOL

 

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Dont add the extra hen. Try removing the first hen for awhile and see how the new hen and the cock relate.

That sounds wise.

 

I will go that way I think.

 

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the birds might not be in condition for breeding..pics of cage and birds would help us.

I havn't bred a budgie for 30 years and then I had 15 birds in an aviary and they did their own thing.

 

You said that they might not be in breeding condition.

More information please?

I am dumb (or smart) enough to ask questions

 

I went to a Budgie society show at Kariong on Sunday run by the Central coast and Newcastle Budgie clubs.

 

I bought another bird. A yellow faced grey cock, this years stock, as a companion for my yellow faced blue hen (my avatar).

 

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You said that they might not be in breeding condition.

More information please?

I am dumb (or smart) enough to ask questions

okay Humprey, look at the pinned topics on budgie breeding (they within the budgie breeding topic) and you will learn how to judge whether your budgies are ready to breed and what the best conditions are for them to do so successfully. :WobbleSign:

 

You can also post pictures of your birds and other members will offer opinions. :rofl:

 

Remember that you are better off waiting till your birds are 12 months old, especially if you are relatively inexperienced or your birds are show budgies.

I bought another bird. A yellow faced grey cock, this years stock, as a companion for my yellow faced blue hen (my avatar).

This guy may be a bit young still, try contacting the breeder and find out when he was born before you proceed.

I haven't bred a budgie for 30 years and then I had 15 birds in an aviary and they did their own thing.

Pay particular attention to topics about Colony breeding vs Cabinet breeding.

Thanks Renee for the reply.

 

I am still figuring out my way about this site.

 

I found and am readindg all the stuff you suggested.

 

Still a lot to learn.

 

I have the new cock in a cage with the hen and no breeding box.

 

I let them out for a fly around the house.

Should I keep them in separate cages to stop any shenanigans or will the hen produce eggs without them?

 

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Thanks Renee for the reply.

Should I keep them in separate cages to stop any shenanigans or will the hen produce eggs without them?

When a pair is ready to 'go down' (ie. lay eggs and raise a round of chicks) the hen's tail will begin to bob and she will start eying anything that looks like a possible nest, like seed containers. This is an indication that they have already mated.

 

The topics I suggested you read will help you determine whether the pair are in breeding condition, if they are not there won't be any 'shananigans'.

 

 

These are the 2 Birds the subject of this post.

 

 

The green fella has a green band. Would I be right at 07 ?

The blue hen is an unknown quantity. Any ideas? I have had her for 6 months and she looked the same then.

 

 

 

He sits up here at night but wont go in the box.

 

 

 

The cage set up.

 

Edited November 7, 200915 yr by maesie

Hi Humphrey, I'm no expert but cage set-up looks great, I can't tell if birds are in breeding cond. from pics. others may be able to. Have you had any progress yet? How long have they been paired up? Waiting is the worst bit. l.o.l.

 

 

These are the 2 Birds the subject of this post.

Well done Humphrey in navigating the perils of Photobucket and posting such good photos!

 

okay, your hen: her cere (the fleshy bulb above her beak) looks like a dark chocolate colour with some white tinges. This would indicate that she is going OUT of breeding condition which may explain her lack of interest in the nest box and breeding. When a hen is READY to breed her cere is a light tan colour, she chews anything in sight and actively engages in flirting with the cock.

 

The way you have set up the breeding cabinet looks absolutely fine to me so congratulations on that.