Hello.

On Sunday, after a break of a month or two I'm started to try to breed my budgies (two pair out of three attempting to be breed, currently treating the other two for scaly face). They've all been in my flight cage bonding as they please (a flaw in my last attempt).

I laid the first pair down on sunday evening and the second one monday evening.

 

Heres a list of the things I've set up in the breeding cage:

 

- the cage obviously, its not ideal as its taller than it is in depth and width but it roomy

- A breeding box: wooden, pretty standard by the looks of it, using oats as nesting, position externally on the top left hand corner of the front of the cage

- cuttle bone

- mineral block

- Budgie mix from pet shop + egg food + wheat germ (just a bit of extra iron)

- Perches: this time running from front to back of cage (natural branches cut to size)

- water obviously

 

Changes from 1st attempt

 

- not toys (correct me if i should put some in)

- No cover as i was told this would block needed sunlight

 

 

THe birds (will get picture up but didn't take them now as its dark and you've probably seen how bad my photography skills are) :

 

Pair 1:

Cock - Yellow face (i think)

Hen - Yellow and green with not black markings

 

From what i've seen these birds appear to be in breeding condition (had to wait a while for them to come around again). They seem well bonded and are showing a lot of interest in nest box when i've seen them (apart from feeding time). They do startle fairly easily so i'm playing music (softly) from a radio to provide a constant noise. This pair are my main hopes. I got both last year (about this time) and they were 3 months or over (thank you mr pet shop person). Their not tame which may explain the jumpy nature. Overall, major improvement from what i was seeing last time. Only other thing is these birds are a bit on the small side but that okay as I'm not planning on show breeding.

 

Pair 2L

Cock - Blue standard

Hen - Light Blue

 

Again, both appear to be in breeding condition, however they don't seem to like each other as the other pair do. I only put them down to breed yesterday so see how we go. I'm not expecting any thing soon so I am just observing to see how they go.

 

 

 

Other things:

 

1. I have not put veggie in the cages and they did not show any interest in them and i thought that they would just encourage disease (thoughts? opinions?).

 

2. The 3rd pair i have not set to breed as they possible have scaly face which i am treating and also they are not in condition and not bonded.

 

3. I've read up on breeding and keeping budgies a lot more since my last attempt which has help to make changes (processes and position etc.)

 

4. I am giving the bird as much privacy and as little disturbance as possible. I go in at a set time to clean cages, food, water, general check otherwise i try to leave them alone.

 

 

Thats about it from me I think. I'll try to get photos up tomorrow when its light. Any advice or tips welcome and other than that fingers crossed.

Cheers,

Biggles.

Hi Pair 1 Skittish . Cover the top sides & back of cage to simulate privacy.

Offer a wide range of fruit & veg cut up small. Try clean grass with seeds on

if possible. Offer seed soaked overnight in water every few days.

Treat all your birds for scaly face. other's might not be showing symptoms

yet....B.J...

Hi, thanks B.J.

Have put some seeds in water and in the fridge to soak. I'm going to put them in the cages in the morning and evening on every othe day. I'll also add a small container of cucumber, carrot, apple and lettuce for an hour or two.

 

I'm making a cover out over newspaper to cover top and sides but won't block out the sun light and other birds.

Also, looking into buying a heat lamp to keep them a bit warmer.

And got to pick up ivomectin (been attempting to use this other stuff for scaly face but it's just to hard to administer without birds ingesting it) from vet on the week end. I'll try treat them all in one go.

 

Cheers

Biggles

 

P.S. sorry for lack of pIctures, came home late and it was already dark, I'll get them up ASAP

Edited August 9, 201212 yr by Biggles2211

Hi Bigges ,okay. Just two questions. Why put soaking seed in fridge & is it so cold so they need extra heat??

You can also try keeping some soaked seed until it sprouts, it takes a couple of days. wash it & feed birds

as a change from soaked seed...B.J.

Hi B.J.

I not sure why i put the seeds in the fridge, i guess just for freshness? Thinking about it now if I'm giving it to them in the morning that probably won't be much to worry about. SHould i take them out and just leave them at room temperature over night?

 

Temperature here where i live is about 5 or 6 degrees in the morning (at the coldest). From what i read somewhere they should be right to down to 1 degree? Please correct me if I'm wrong, not sure if that was while breeding or not. Main reason for heat lamp was to reduce chance of egg binding as well as just for comfort.

 

Cheers

Biggles

Edited August 9, 201212 yr by Biggles2211

Hi B.J.

I not sure why i put the seeds in the fridge, i guess just for freshness? Thinking about it now if I'm giving it to them in the morning that probably won't be much to worry about. SHould i take them out and just leave them at room temperature over night?

 

Temperature here where i live is about 5 or 6 degrees in the morning (at the coldest). From what i read somewhere they should be right to down to 1 degree? Please correct me if I'm wrong, not sure if that was while breeding or not. Main reason for heat lamp was to reduce chance of egg binding as well as just for comfort.

 

Cheers

Biggles

 

Hi Biggles Sorry I didn't realise its winter where you are Right. It's hot here in the UK Summer time. Budgies are not

usually bred till the spring or summer. So you will need some heat if you can afford it day & night. leave seed out of fridge.

Don't understand what should be down to 1degree???? please explain......B.J.

Hi B.J.,

I read somewhere that budgies will be fine as long as they are kept in surroundings above 1 degree in temperature.

 

Also, got home late again but ill get the pictures up 1st thing in the morning.

Ill try get some pictures of my set up and the birds.

 

Cheers,

Biggles

Edited August 10, 201212 yr by Biggles2211

According to Dr Rob Marshalls book, The Budgerigar. It is advisable to not allow the temperature to drop below 10 degrees c whilst attempting to breed to prevent all manner of problems and keep birds in tip top condition, which allows the birds to produce the healthiest chicks possible.

Hi Biggles. Budgies can be kept at low temp in a draught free place.during winter, But it is not ideal for breeding.

The eggs could chill & if they hatch the babies are susceptible to cold.They are Budgies not Penguins.

Why do you wan to breed budgies in winter????? It is not a good time. I would remove the nest box& wait

till Summer...B.J.

Hi guys,

After reading your comments, i've thought it over and decided i'll wait till spring or early summer (don't want it to be too hot as i imagine this would cause just as many problems).

The reason i tried to breed them at this time was they both seemed to be in condition and in good health but as the toll on the birds and and chicks would be too great, i'll remove nest box and and wait till a bit later. I reckon i'll still get a heater just to help them through the nights.

 

Thank you B.J. and Bad Hair day for your advice and ill let you know before i try again in a few month time time: third time lucky.

 

Cheers,

Biggles

Edited August 10, 201212 yr by Biggles2211

Hi Biggles Glad you've decided to do it right. Don't worry about the birds & hot weather.

After all don't they come from some of the hottest parts of Australia. Don't believe all

the stuff you read on the web. Ask all your questions on here. There will always be someone

to help you.....B.J.

Hi Biggles, just to add a comment.

Being in Brisbane you could probably breed all year if you wanted. I am mid north coast nsw. I (for the first time) have bred from mid April and am on a 3rd round of chicks,( using different pairs), new chick hatched to-day. I have not had any problems because of weather etc. just a couple of silly parents. If you have a covered breeding cage area in aviary you should do okay. we have had some chilly o/night temps but birds were fine.