My son would like to breed budgies. We have an aviary that is 2.2 x 1.6mt. I know colony breeding is a bad idea, but I've also read that they won't breed if there is only one pair. Is it enough that the adjoining aviary has a pair of rosellas? Or would 2 pairs in an aviary that size be okay?

My son would like to breed budgies. We have an aviary that is 2.2 x 1.6mt. I know colony breeding is a bad idea, but I've also read that they won't breed if there is only one pair. Is it enough that the adjoining aviary has a pair of rosellas? Or would 2 pairs in an aviary that size be okay?

 

 

Hi There's a lot of rubbish out there. Colony breeding is the natural way of breeding flock birds

it is very successful & less expensive for the beginner if they follow the simple rules...

(1) Your aviary could hold up to 3 breeding pairs.

(2) Extra nest boxes to give hens choice.

(3) Read breeding & feeding & general care off Budgies on the forums on here,

(4) budgies will breed as a single pair.......B.J

Hi,

I colony breed and it is very easy, as long as you place extra breeding boxes in your aviary to give your females options they should be fine.

As a kid I had an aviary and they bred as a colony just fine, and so did my auntie- in fact, hers was packed with birds. Way more than I would ever have and she rarely had problems. My daughter tried the same thing with just a few pairs and there was constant carnage. I figured maybe budgies had changed the rules

Is your aviary divided or are Rosella's free as well as budgies? The Rosella's could be territorial as well and harm budgies if they are in together and breeding.

It is divided into two sections- the rosellas have one half and the budgies will have the other.

As a kid I had an aviary and they bred as a colony just fine, and so did my auntie- in fact, hers was packed with birds. Way more than I would ever have and she rarely had problems. My daughter tried the same thing with just a few pairs and there was constant carnage. I figured maybe budgies had changed the rules

 

Hi No Your daughter broke the rules.....B.J.

If you are only having a pair or two in budgie side with nest box's I can't see you having a problem. By my guess your aviary as approx 7'x 6' so each half should be okay for breeding. Although depending on the number of chicks they rear I'd try one pair first and see how you go. As to needing more than one pair for breeding, it won't matter if your birds are a bonded pair and in condition. I'd say go for it, nothing ventured nothing gained.

colony breeding can have issue with fighting of hens over boxes which is why BJ states more boxes than hens. It is doable many here don't wish to do colony breeding as they have records of their birds and their relations either for personal or showing reasons . If you are not worried about being 100% of who the dad is and just want to enjoy these birds then Colony isn't a problem - be sure to watch behaviour well for any trouble makers.

 

Oh and they can breed with just one pair -having 2 breeding gives the change to move chicks if they are not being feed or eggs if one has too many in her nest.

BJ, What rules did her daughter break?

BJ, What rules did her daughter break?

 

 

Hi . Read these posts, the clues are there.....B.J.

As a kid I had an aviary and they bred as a colony just fine, and so did my auntie- in fact, hers was packed with birds. Way more than I would ever have and she rarely had problems. My daughter tried the same thing with just a few pairs and there was constant carnage. I figured maybe budgies had changed the rules

 

BJ, this sounds like the auntie broke the rules and got away with it, but the daughter was careful not to overcrowd and had problems. So I don't understand what rules you are saying she broke either.