Hi

As the header suggests I have built a new aviary and obtained a few birds that didn't make the grade from show breeders. I've had budgies before but had to let them go ( sell) due to moving for work.

 

I let the budgies loose in the new aviary with nest boxes in place etc.

 

At this point, about 1 1/2 weeks down the track none of the birds seem to have paired up.

 

I have about 11 males and 7 females. 3 of the females appear reasonably old ( they do have tags on their legs so I can confirm the ages if I need to)

 

I'm still chasing some females obviously.

 

Coudl anyone advise when the birds might start pairing up and maybe checking out the nest boxes??

 

cheers

E.W

Taree

I'm not sure if budgies pair like finches, but once a finch is comfortable, it can as less as a week till you see fertile eggs being pooped out, but it can also take up to two months... For Budgies, I'd say around 1-3 months is your likely bet

Hello I suggest You remove the nest boxes Until you even up your sexes. You don't say how old the birds are.

They have to be old enough & in breeding condition. You appear to not even allowed them to settle down

in their new home yet. Diet plays a big part in breeding. Read the posts on breeding & feeding for all

the info you need. Yours B.J..

I agree with BJ, and if you're planning to colony breed, you will need at least twice as many boxes as you have pairs. The boxes are supposed to all be at the same height, or else they will fight over the highest ones, and the boxes have to be far enough apart to minimize fighting. Is your aviary even big enough for that many boxes?

 

Also, you need to make sure of your birds ages, before adding nest boxes. Breeding them under 12 months of age is bad for their health, and for the chick's health/survival.

 

We have quite a few threads on here about the pitfalls of colony breeding. Although some people have a measure of success with it.....at first.

Make sure there are no budgies in that aviary with the nestboxes that are UNDER 12 months of age or you will be force breeding them. If any are underaged remove them to another aviary.

Read this article too http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showtopic=28294&hl= to realise the pitfalls of colony breeding.

You dont mention how many nestboxes... ? You will need at least twice as many as you have pairs of breeding aged birds.

How big is your aviary ? Can you post some pictures ?

Thanks for responding but no one really answered my question. I have had budgies before so only provided the basic details. I don;t think double the nest boxes is really required in colony breeding. They tend to sort it themselves. Maybe some initial arguing sorting out the pecking order but nothing unnatural. Colony breeding is the only option for me. I don't have time or room for pairing up in breeding boxes etc. All my birds are from show breeders so they are all tagged. Ages easy enough to determine. ( didn';t look at them when buying LOL)

 

Anyhow, they are starting to pair up and some of the hens are going into the nest boxes now. I'm still a few short on hens I think, about 3 of the hens I obtained might be old duds I think. They look old. Anyhow, I will update my profile to reflect the amount of birds i now have.

cheers

E.W

Hello The answer to your question. Would have been ." How long is a piece if string?" But you

 

already know the answer now. Sorry the other advise you got wasn't to your liking. Yours B.J