I breed zebra finches and have done my research on breeding budgies. I just want to know if a 7 year old male is too old to be bred? He has never been bred before. He is also very hand tame. My finches are a year old when I start them. I am seriously thinking of breeding Rocky to Sassy. He's 7 and she's 1 1/2 years old. If not I can get a younger male. I know females shouldn't breed after 4 or 5 but there is nothing about males and when they should stop breeding. I do realize he is old but he's very healthy and is on a good diet, not all seed. Also he is my talker (200 words). I was wondering if you can pass this trait/ability on to the babies, not that it matters to me?

I wouldn't breed him at that age. To be honest I think 3 or 4 for a female, and 5 for a male. He needs to feed her, and to take over the feeding of the babies when they are older, and I would say he is too old. It's too much of a risk, you could lose some babies. Breeding budgies is a lot harder than zebras. I, too started on zebras (any tips on getting them to STOP would be great ), budgies are waaaaaay fussier. I would get yourself a male about 18 months to 2 years old, and try with him.

I don't know about passing on the trait of talking, I don't think it's ever been studied, but I think hard work and persistence will get most budgies to talk.

Have I said hi and welcome to you yet? If not, hi and welcome. We'd love pictures, please post some

Hi Lin

Thanks for answering me so quickly. I knew he was too old before I posted but thought I'd ask anyways. I am aware that budgies are fussier and harder to breed than finches and I have given it a lot of thought. Also done a lot of research, just couldn't find the answer to how old is too old for a male budgie. Will start after Christmas. Have my baby finches to look after right now. Already have homes for them. They just fledged today. Cuteness overload!!! Also I want to get over Christmas before breeding again. I'll just keep Sassy and Rocky as pets and look for a good quality male and female to breed. I do have people who can help if I need it.

As for the finches, I just remove the nest. Have never had a problem otherwise. But Barney and Betty are first time parents so hopefully my advice will help you. I only have them right now but in the past it's worked with my other finches.

Hi, and I'm glad I could help. You may already know this, so ignore me if you do, but please quarantine any new birds you get! I know I say it to everyone, but it is so important. My recommendation are the ages I gave in the last post as the maximum age, and that's pretty much what most people who breed would say.

Your zebras sound so much better behaved than mine. Mine will use the seed container or the floor if I take out the nests Rotten birds, I'm overloaded with them, may have to sell some, which I don't like doing, because I grew them

Good luck with breeding budgies. This was my first season for breeding them, and i could not have done it without the wonderful help of the clever clogs on here. Hope you stick around and enjoy the insanity on here! And we love pictures, so please post some.