Out of 5 pairs only 2 went down and in one of those pairs the hen ate her eggs. The other pair only raised 3 young. I've let them out into the aviary now in the hope they may stimulate each other.

 

So who else has had a terrible breeding season?

Edited November 2, 200915 yr by cranberry

I have to say that October's breeding was a bit shabby but I'm winding down now so I don't care too much.

 

Also I ran out of iodine and I reckon that directly influenced fertility.

Sorry you had bad season, after all the preparation, anticipation etc. I only bred this year for first time. I had 5 cages have 27 chicks, only lost one live had a few dead in shell to first time Mum. Otherwise good. Maybe weather was a factor if Renee (perth) and Adelaide had "funny" weather? I'm mid north coast nsw. It was hot, cold, and in between here I only had one round to see how I went. Anyway better luck with next season maybe others may be more help. :WobbleSign:

Our breeding season has been good. And overall SA is having a good breeding season because of the really wet winter we had :WobbleSign:

I have had some mild french moult, the one where the chicks recover. Otherwise, i have had about 4-6 chicks per clutch and about 80% fertility over the breeding cabinets (meaning at least 1 egg was fertile in most nests)

 

What is your set up like?? Where do your birds come from... perhaps they are poor breeders???

My birds have been sourced exclusively from dealers. 80% are club rung with a few pet type thrown in. I had cabinets setup in the main aviary. I've had a lot of success doing it this way in the past but maybe you are right, my birds are just poor breeders. It maybe the reason they were for sale in the first place. Anyway, I'm getting out of budgies soon to concentrate on Lovebirds and GC Conures. Cheers Tony.

Most birds from dealers are no good. All the dealer birds i have had in the past have had issues. The birds breeders send to dealers are the ones they don't want to sell to their fellow breeders, so are considered the real rejects, rather than just culls.

And I guess that's a good reason to just breed pet type birds rather than try to source club rung birds from dealers. At least with the pet types you know they are bred just to sell in pet shops where club rung birds are not really for that at all. As you say, if they are from a dealer they probably have issues or are rejects.

this is my first time breeding show birds

and i must say so far i was ecstatic to

sucks really fast

but im doing a major re do off everything and culling lots so

next year after a break hope all will go fine

im not in mood to go into all my trobblesbut will latter at moment to busy fixing issues

why not been on for few days

 

all should be fine but for now

im very down heartened :WobbleSign:

 

ive never had sickness or problems ever so ..... this hurts

i prided myself on the health of my birds

mind you

these were all self breed from one main source bring ing birds in was the main probblem

although healthy they all have different bugs and immunity and a bird room was my biggest mistake ever

money wasted big time

so im going back to what i know and have always practiced

 

as this year i listened to the people and it all went handicapped from start

back to my system from now on

GB I think you will find when breeding show birds things are very different. I remember feeling the same when I moved from breeding a truck load of pet birds, to breeding three show chicks in my first season as a show breeder.

 

The game that you are now playing is a totally different one, it is almost as if you are breeding a different species, that's how different the two types of birds are from each other; in every way. Fertility, size, health problems, feather problems, activity levels. Everything is different and it takes a bit of getting used to. Keep your head up, it takes time to learn the ropes and get a feel for the way that works for you. You'll have to adapt your own style and systems, and those sort of things don't happen over night.

 

As far as our breeding season is concerned, we can only have one round at the moment because of changing leases and moving out to Gatton for university next year, so that is dissapointing because the birds are rearing to go now and the ones from the first round are laying again for second round so we have had to break pairs up.

 

We had 5 cages down, and have bred 18 chicks, we had a few die young but since then nothing major. I would say that with new birds and a new setup I am happy with the start to the Australian breeding program.

 

Hopefully early next year we will get a few more rounds out of them for the coming season.

GB I think you will find when breeding show birds things are very different. I remember feeling the same when I moved from breeding a truck load of pet birds, to breeding three show chicks in my first season as a show breeder.

 

The game that you are now playing is a totally different one, it is almost as if you are breeding a different species, that's how different the two types of birds are from each other; in every way. Fertility, size, health problems, feather problems, activity levels. Everything is different and it takes a bit of getting used to. Keep your head up, it takes time to learn the ropes and get a feel for the way that works for you. You'll have to adapt your own style and systems, and those sort of things don't happen over night.

 

 

thanks for the chin up hamish but my birds are not ,not reproducing thats not my problem

they all have layed and raised full clutches of 4 to five chick

ive been told this is good

but its their health

for some reason my chicks all got a dose of fm well im asumming its that

and the only thing that i can put it down to is my new bird room

as both times i have breed in it

i have had bad results with dead in shell and the likes

last time one case of fm in one clutch

this time round i had two clutches affected

their is no mite no moths no bugs in that aspect

clean water daily

fresh seed

all the iodine calcium and such

so im unsure as to how this happened

 

however when i breed them( my show types )out under porch area no problems at all

i do realize show birds are a bit more complexed but really they are not that different

just need more area away from the wind then pets and need a balanced diet as would eat themselves to death if allowed

 

im lucky my breeding has seized to point off last chicks being raised now

i moved all fm chicks to shed with peronts and

revamped aviry before releaseing other birds into it today

i culled all birds that were not breed by me exempt 4 in my pet type stock as i have enough lines to breed happyly with out inter breeding for at least 4 more years

 

and in my show stock

i kepted only the

rowe birds ,house birds,borge and skivington birds ,my hill birds

all other birds are in another area waiting apone my full inspection of their health

give or take one or two inwhich i know are fine

 

as rezults from vet came in perfict im not sure what to think

once i work out my scanner i will post rezults on here mabe someone can explain to me exactley what they mean not just ...your birds are 100 per cent as that really doesnt tell me much but i have all test rezults written on certificate and would like to know what te exact tests were

 

so will get on to that see if anyone can help me with understanding it

 

untill then

im flooring my floor with clay tiles in proccess now

GenericBlue, are they getting enough sunlight? I read somewhere that they need Vitamin D from the sun or in supplement form to be at their best and it does effect their health and breeding if they don't get enough. Just a thought...

GB I'm sure you know by now that whenever you import birds into your aviary you are importing a health risk. It is a well known fact that birds can be perfectly healthy in one person's aviary and then turn around and cark it within a week in another person's aviary. This is because a flock of birds builds up immunity to certain strains of bugs- but not others.

 

This is why a complete and thorough quarantining process is vital. Unfortunately that includes preventative medications not just a period of observation. And even then that cannot be 100% guaranteed due to the different strains of bugs I mentioned earlier - BUT a full and proper quarantining process is the best chance you have at minimizing your risks. You cannot rely on other people to do it for you because every one has their priorities and you need to develop your own method. :rofl:

 

Many budding show breeders become completely disheartened at the stage you are at now, this is understandable because it is a terrible shock and very disappointing after you have done your homework and outlayed a small fortune to buy these new super duper birds and the results can be very poor. And this is why it is called THE CHALLENGE. :rofl:

 

Perhaps breeding show budgies is not for you, there's no shame in that. To become a successful show breeder you require patience, long-term vision, attention to detail, a thirst for knowledge and the where-with-all to invest on the birds, their health, their food and optimal environmental conditions. If you cannot or will not meet the required criteria then you need to accept that you will continuously have issues of one kind or another.

 

This what I wrote on the MBC website last week in the topic Love and Hate (about this hobby) bearing in mind that I have been doing it now for just over 3 years now -

 

... and 3 years on I still love breeding show budgies and chatting to other breeders about budgies!

 

In the intervening years ....

 

I have come to learn that how we house our birds is fundamental to their well-being and have to that end built and expanded upon 2 super aviaries for our budgies.

 

I have come to recognize Coccidiosis, Psittacosis, French Moult, Feather Dusters, the effects of Megabacteria and recently Canker. So QUARANTINING my flock has become the by-word. The illnesses in themselves don't bother me too much, I have learnt to identify sick birds now and thankfully there are medications for such illnesses although early intervention is crucial to a happy outcome.

 

I have come to learn that sometimes a cock bird will mate the perch but not any hen (and I mean all and any) that you try to pair him with, or he will prefer to be mated (yes, I have seen it with my own eyes), or he will prevent the hen from sitting on the eggs, or he will kill a fledging chick. These issues I call hic ups and know that in the scheme of things cock birds are more easily managed then the potentially tricky hens.

 

I have come to learn that sometimes a hen won't like a cock and try to kill it (and though less commonly vice versa), or she will not lay eggs (they are called internal layers), or she will not want to lay eggs, or she will die in the process of laying eggs, or she will get off her eggs and let them go cold, or she will scramble or eat her eggs, or she will not feed her chicks or she will attack her chicks. These heart-wrenching and darn right infuriating events I have come to take on the chin as part and parcel of THE CHALLENGE. I have a few 'tricks' up my sleeve and in time hope to acquire more in addition to a wealth of experience that will allow me to minimize these risks.

 

I have come to realize that as a Novice we are in fact serving an apprenticeship ... and I can only hope that I survive the course and go on to succeed not only as an accomplished breeder but also as an integrated and valued member of the budgie fraternity.

 

And finally have come to appreciate that everyone has their own reasons for choosing to breed show budgies - and that's just fine. I genuinely enjoy helping others and I like winning.

Edited November 3, 200915 yr by renee

GB I'm sure you know by now that whenever you import birds into your aviary you are importing a health risk. It is a well known fact that birds can be perfectly healthy in one person's aviary and then turn around and cark it within a week in another person's aviary. This is because a flock of birds builds up immunity to certain strains of bugs- but not others.

 

This is why a complete and thorough quarantining process is vital. Unfortunately that includes preventative medications not just a period of observation. And even then that cannot be 100% guaranteed due to the different strains of bugs I mentioned earlier - BUT a full and proper quarantining process is the best chance you have at minimizing your risks. You cannot rely on other people to do it for you because every one has their priorities and you need to develop your own method.

 

Many budding show breeders become completely disheartened at the stage you are at now, this is understandable because it is a terrible shock and very disappointing after you have done your homework and outlayed a small fortune to buy these new super duper birds and the results can be very poor. And this is why it is called THE CHALLENGE.

 

Perhaps breeding show budgies is not for you, there's no shame in that. To become a successful show breeder you require patience, long-term vision, attention to detail, a thirst for knowledge and the where-with-all to invest on the birds, their health, their food and optimal environmental conditions. If you cannot or will not meet the required criteria then you need to accept that you will continuously have issues of one kind or another.

 

This what I wrote on the MBC website last week in the topic Love and Hate (about this hobby) bearing in mind that I have been doing it now for just over 3 years now -

 

... and 3 years on I still love breeding show budgies and chatting to other breeders about budgies!

 

In the intervening years ....

 

I have come to learn that how we house our birds is fundamental to their well-being and have to that end built and expanded upon 2 super aviaries for our budgies.

 

I have come to recognize Coccidiosis, Psittacosis, French Moult, Feather Dusters, the effects of Megabacteria and recently Canker. So QUARANTINING my flock has become the by-word. The illnesses in themselves don't bother me too much, I have learnt to identify sick birds now and thankfully there are medications for such illnesses although early intervention is crucial to a happy outcome.

 

I have come to learn that sometimes a cock bird will mate the perch but not any hen (and I mean all and any) that you try to pair him with, or he will prefer to be mated (yes, I have seen it with my own eyes), or he will prevent the hen from sitting on the eggs, or he will kill a fledging chick. These issues I call hic ups and know that in the scheme of things cock birds are more easily managed then the potentially tricky hens.

 

I have come to learn that sometimes a hen won't like a cock and try to kill it (and though less commonly vice versa), or she will not lay eggs (they are called internal layers), or she will not want to lay eggs, or she will die in the process of laying eggs, or she will get off her eggs and let them go cold, or she will scramble or eat her eggs, or she will not feed her chicks or she will attack her chicks. These heart-wrenching and darn right infuriating events I have come to take on the chin as part and parcel of THE CHALLENGE. I have a few 'tricks' up my sleeve and in time hope to acquire more in addition to a wealth of experience that will allow me to minimize these risks.

 

I have come to realize that as a Novice we are in fact serving an apprenticeship ... and I can only hope that I survive the course and go on to succeed not only as an accomplished breeder but also as an integrated and valued member of the budgie fraternity.

 

And finally have come to appreciate that everyone has their own reasons for choosing to breed show budgies - and that's just fine. I genuinely enjoy helping others and I like winning.

 

Perhaps breeding show budgies is not for you, there's no shame in that. To become a successful show breeder you require patience, long-term vision, attention to detail, a thirst for knowledge and the where-with-all to invest on the birds, their health, their food and optimal environmental conditions. If you cannot or will not meet the required criteria then you need to accept that you will continuously have issues of one kind or another.

 

 

renee i think you know me not at all

i are all the things you suggest im not and above all im very willing to spend any amount on just one bird to do what it takes to get it back to health (as you should clearly know )

 

i know more than you may think and more than it seems

im defendantly in for the long run

putting in all my knowledge and effort into getting my foundations of my aviary and my stock

set up correctly before entering this challange as you put it

i have not gone out of my way to buy supper birds as you suggest but i sure have gone out of my way to buy good stock from breeders i know to be repritable

and who have provided me with well breed healthy stock for very reasonable prices for what they are

 

just because you may not not go out of your way to make sure birds you may sell are in their optimal health and best condition does not mean others do not

you know not of my quarintee practice

and i think what you wrote was out of line

if i was not strong or patiant as you sugested then in reading your post toward me

well i would of just thrown my hands in the air and to *** with it

this is not the case

and i think as one of the more listened to members on this sight you need to watch what you write as you can easyly deture others with your strong words and abrupt nature

if i was not to know you as i do then i would feel very deflated by what you wrote

lucky for me i know your just very speak before you think, straight to the point person not knowing the harm you could do in your words to others

 

you were not very incoraging now were you

if you have no real advice for me then dont give it :hurryup: not happy jan

 

ps i found that i decided to breed show birds because i love birds and i love to get the show birds back to their true beautie and in full optimal health and vitility not just for a ribbon

for the achievement of producing a fine healthy product

we are all breeding for different reasons this you did get right

No GB was I not having a go at you or being negative, I'm just clarifying that breeding show budgies can be very challenging and is not for the faint hearted.

Edited November 3, 200915 yr by renee

No GB I not having a go at you or being negative, I'm just clarifying that breeding show budgies can be very challenging and is not for the faint hearted. :hurryup:

 

well you have a very weird way of saying it

maby you should of stuck to

 

breeding show budgies can be very challenging and is not for the faint hearted.

as no offence could of or would of been taken said like that

 

yes everything you said was true but it looked and felt very directed toward me the way you worded it mabe ?

well no qualms here okay i know you only mean well

i guess im a tad touchy after all i did everything to a t quarantine included and i do medicate quarantines just not doxy i use other things i have a very stricked practice all birds get vet tested poo smear, gulet test before entery to the flock

at 16.50 a bird its worth it to the rest of my flocks health for not much

No GB I not having a go at you or being negative, I'm just clarifying that breeding show budgies can be very challenging and is not for the faint hearted.

 

well you have a very weird way of saying it

maby you should of stuck to

 

breeding show budgies can be very challenging and is not for the faint hearted.

as no offence could of or would of been taken said like that

 

yes everything you said was true but it looked and felt very directed toward me the way you worded it mabe ?

well no qualms here okay :hurryup: i know you only mean well

i guess im a tad touchy after all i did everything to a t quarantine included and i do medicate quarantines just not doxy i use other things i have a very stricked practice all birds get vet tested poo smear, gulet test before entery to the flock

at 16.50 a bird its worth it to the rest of my flocks health for not much

Yes OF COURSE you are doing everything right! I wouldn't have written what I did if I thought otherwise.

 

BUT even so you will sooner or later come up against the pitfalls I mentioned - EVERYONE does!

 

Remember : Perhaps means Maybe and IF is a conditional which is a hypothetical situation - NOT a fact!

 

Anyways I already know that you chuck it if you are feeling sensitive and the world is against you.

Anyways I already know that you chuck it if you are feeling sensitive and the world is against you.

 

 

 

lol

dont chuck it just say it how it is many people take being openly honest about emotions as tantrums

just happens these usually are the people who do chuck it as you say :hurryup:

 

as for the thought of the world being against me

well i say bring it on cause if this was true i would not be here today

the world clearly wants me here in my opinion

so can we just get back to birds renee and stop anilizing me

as you know you wont achieve anything with you small comments and remarks regards my personality and strength

im not one to be easily annoyed however you do have a place in trying

please stop

Out of 5 pairs only 2 went down and in one of those pairs the hen ate her eggs. The other pair only raised 3 young. I've let them out into the aviary now in the hope they may stimulate each other.

 

So who else has had a terrible breeding season?

 

 

We have had 3 pairs produce so far, but only a few of the babies have survived. Maybe its too early and the weather changes are upsetting the routine (Melbourne weather!!) Out of the most recent clutch, 3 babies have died after the mother stopped feeding and one is being hand fed.

GenericBlue, are they getting enough sunlight? I read somewhere that they need Vitamin D from the sun or in supplement form to be at their best and it does effect their health and breeding if they don't get enough. Just a thought...

 

hi cranberry yes they were getting vd but in natural form not supplementary

how ever im not quiet sure on the amount of sun shine they actually received more light than anything this is a very good point you make

although i would have thought light was enough mabe they do need the direct sun light however i thought this would affect birds heat wize

so, how much sun light how direct and for how long ???mabe thats a question

Having a super duper 09/10 season so far. Reasonable health, reasonable breeding results, not too much DIS and baby chick deaths (except for a couple of dickie maiden hens :/ but got them sussed now so can whiz chickies off into another box.And the best thing is that instead of maybe 1 or 2 super potential chickies I have 4 or 5 that I'm REALLY excited about plus the lacewings are going gangbusters.Makes up for a big suckie 08/09 season!

hi cranberry yes they were getting vd

Hey GB I'm guessing that's Vitamin D not some new wierd sexually transmitted budgie disease?

Having a super duper 09/10 season so far. Reasonable health, reasonable breeding results, not too much DIS and baby chick deaths (except for a couple of dickie maiden hens :/ but got them sussed now so can whiz chickies off into another box.And the best thing is that instead of maybe 1 or 2 super potential chickies I have 4 or 5 that I'm REALLY excited about plus the lacewings are going gangbusters.Makes up for a big suckie 08/09 season!

hi cranberry yes they were getting vd

Hey GB I'm guessing that's Vitamin D not some new wierd sexually transmitted budgie disease?

 

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: yes vitamin D , I JUST COULDNT SPELL IT

im glad to here your having a good round or two

i keep looking at you post just to see your babys :what: some butties