Rescued 2 older male budgies from the Humane Society, one died almost immediately and I replaced him with a young female. Within months, they started breeding and I started chucking the eggs, finally let them keep a couple and they had 2 beautiful budgies which I gave to friends. They started again a month later and I provided them with a nesting box which they didn't use and babies were raised on my almost spotless floor cage and had 3 beautiful pieds, one of which my avian vet adopted. I now have them separated as they started mating again when the eldest baby was 5 weeks old but the screaming is intense, they want to be back together. Chucked eggs again but let the female keep a couple to lay on as they are not viable. HOW do I get them back in the same cage without any hanky panky, I DON'T WANT THEM TO BREED!!! According to my Internet research they shouldn't even be breeding without a nest box, help!!

Edited October 31, 200519 yr by Phoebe

It is very unusual for them to breed without a box, but as you have found out it is possible

Are these birds inside? How much light do they get every day? What kind of temperature is it? Umm, can't think of any more questions at the moment, but we'll start with these, and the really clever clogs will come on later

Oh, and welcome

Thank you, I have 2 other male/female budgies that don't "do it" and a few other "rescue" birds of other species, everybody says that it isn't possible but it is obviously, can't win a lottery but I can produce beautiful babies without the proper setup! Indoor environment, warm and I am trying to cut down on the light time which shouldn't be too hard with winter approaching.

definately reduce the hours of light - cover them at night at the same time, and try and reduce the temperature they are in, that should help. Budgies breed when there is sufficient light ( I think 10 hours), it's warm, and they have ample food and water. Well, the last 2 obviously are always right for pet birds, so you can only reduce the other 2. Keep checking back here, someone with more knowledge than me will be on today some time, with other suggestions. Definately by shaking the eggs, you are doing the right thing, or the alternative is that you can buy fake eggs. Like I said, someone will suggest something later, I've only started breeding this year.

so we actually get to hear about the one in hundred chance of budgies breeding with out the nest box. Well at least you know your taking good care of them

 

The best way really is the seprate them, but this will only really work if they can't see each other. You say you have two others, do they all get along? If so add a friend in with each bird so they are not alone. That's all I can come up with, i havn't had a problem the few times I had to break up my freckle and pie.

Wow they must really like breeding. The Breeding instinct is brough forward when conditions of Food, Water, lighting and a secure place to nest is achieved. But with yours, they don't seem to need a secure nest. You must in some way give them the security they need to start breeding. Are they kept in a cage that is in a corner or somewhere that is "Safe". Maybe have the cage near an unopened window so that they think they are in an open field. Other than that, I'm stumped

This is fresh on my mind so I'd better chuck in my thoughts now before I lose them!

 

Actually, I can't say much more than what Lin said. First things first, make sure they're getting 12 hours of darkness every day. Uninterrupted, as-quiet-as-you-can-manage sleep. A light, dark cover is essential here. Make sure they are completely covered and not bothered until they've had that 12 hours of darkness. If they're anything like my birds, all it takes is one tiny ray of sunshine creeping in through a carelessly uncovered crack and they'll know it's time to get up and be active.

 

Change up the cage OFTEN. About once a week. Make it as different as possible, maybe removing some of the old stuff and rotating in new things (perches and toys). At least change the position of all of these things.

 

Obviously, we're not going to change their food and water intake, that would be bad. I think the most important change is the amount of daylight and the second is the arrangement of the cage.

 

If all else fails, separate the pair and, if possible, give them same-sex mates. That might keep them quiet...eventually.

woah thats weird... and here I am trying to get mine TO mate! (Laughing out loud)

separating the unfortunately is the only way to stop them

Thanks for the suggestions, they are by a patio window where Stellar's Jays (bigger than blue jays) land and scream at me for peanuts and squirrels and other birds come and peer in. Can't put them in with my other pair as they all hate each other (and I have to put medication in the other pairs water, they both have lipomas). I have put the randy couple back together for the time being and am shaking the eggs, the male was temporarily housed in the cage with the last baby as I feared for baby's safety if I left him with the mom (new owner out of country and am keeping until she returns in a couple of weeks). I want to keep training the baby, now 7 weeks and it didn't help him being with the dad who is an escape artist. Defintely will put the happy couple in a spare bedroom every night for now so they get 10 - 12 hrs of darkness, they are making up for lost time!! Purportedly the male is almost 11 years old but maybe the humane society screwed up their records. Can't put the male in another room as he is a frantic pacer and worrier. After the baby is gone, I shall re-evaluate the situation.............

I can't believe he is 11. a budgie that old would be having heart failure with the caring of all the babies.

Yep he's pretty frisky IF he is indeed that old!! Amazing flyer, acrobat and the ultimate caregiver, I know he is mainly responsible for the babies upbringin, the humane society must have made a mistake when they said he was that old, they didn't even know his sex (pied) but I knew he was a male right away.

 

 

Nov 22 2005, 16:16

 

An update on my situation is available on breeding without a nest box, tried to paste and copy but it doesn't work, in a nutshell, last babies are gone, eggs are chucked and the randy couple are housed in a cooler, darker bedroom for a couple of weeks, they aren't happy but at least they aren't breeding anymore!!

 

Nov 25 2005,

 

The fertile couple has settled down in their cooler, darker (spare bedroom) environment. the female's cere has changed back to the color it was before breeding. They only have about 9 or so hours of natural light a day. They are very quiet, brought them out and put them with the others in the living room the other day for some flight time a couple of days ago and they were so happy to be with the other birds that I have. Scrubbed their cage whilst they were out and about. Will keep them in solitary a few more days and reintroduce them to the living room with watchful waiting. Hopefully they will have settled down, I still feel bad about putting them in jail. Meanwhile, the babies they raised on the cage floor are thriving and happy!!

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Sound like they are doing fine.