Thanks for your input Pixie

At first I came on here wanting to breed my, budgies. I did the research, listened to your great advice and then decided that it was not the best thing for my budgies at that time. I now have 4 budgies( I did not buy them to breed, I bought them as companions) and I plan to breed 2 of them at the end on this year. I am choosing to wait that long, so that I can do so properly and responsibly. :bluebudgie:

That's good you have given it a lot of thought.

Last I ever post on this subject (hopefully) but my guys were running short on cuttlebones (I usually buy in bulk and I needed food myself so ventured out). Tons of sweet little babies out there, had to tear myself away from them. Some of them were singing their hearts out and others were looking pretty sad. Hope they all get good homes but still cannot believe all those teeny weeny cages out there that are advertised as fine for a finch, canary, budgie or lovebird.

:ausb: At the risk of being repetitive, annoying and obnoxious, I have resurrected this post. If one reads at the beginning of the post, you will see I am respectful, supportive and happy for the experienced budgie breeder. Again, being involved with a few rescue organizations (and not only birds), I know there is a glut of budgies, cockatiels and bunnies awaiting adoption. Recently we seem to have a lot of new (especially young) budgie owners join this forum with a need to breed. I would ask that everyone of you ask 1. Why?, 2. if it is money, forget it, 3. have you done the proper research into breeding and are you prepared for any potential problems and vet visits (which could involve prescriptions, surgery, hospitalization), 4. if budgies are treated properly they can live quite a long time so will you be there for them or just pass them on when your life style changes, you lose interest or move away from home? (and this does happen, don't say it doesn't). Breeding birds is not a science experiment, please evaluate if this is really what you want to do and if you can handle any problems that might arise. Off my podium and back under the desk.

well said... i am intergued by the thoughts of breeding, because you just never know what to expect, fortunatly i have the means and facilities for any youngsters here at home....(i havent started yet though still testing water and researching...)

Hi, I just wanted to add a reply here, I posted a question in this forum for information and any advice that could be given as I have 4 budgies 2 of which I was concidering breeding at a later stage, but I posted the question because I was CONCIDERING it, I want to do all the right research first and then make the final decision,

 

Phoebe I think what you have had to say on this subject is absolutely right!

I know someone and I wont name names they are not part of this forum anyway but they have 2 budgies a male and female and they are in a small indoor cage together, the cage is very rarely cleaned and the female is constantly laying eggs none of them ever hatch obviously because of the conditions she lives in, they have a avery out the back of there house that they had a bird in and the bird was attacked by what they think was a rat it died, I suggested they fix that cage up and put the budgies in there the answer i get is "yeah" and thats it, I feel ever so sorry for these budgies but there is nothing I can do, and I know you will probably say report them or just take the budgies well there is good reason why I can't which I would rather not say.

these people absolutley see these budgies as goldfish.

 

Again at the moment I am only looking into breeding my budgies and not all of them just 2, I haven't had my budgies long but love them heaps already, I love to sit and watch them play and get to know there personality's one of which I have started to bond with which is great fun for us both.

 

well I'll stop now because I think I'm just waffling hehe, hope I haven't alienated anyone just wanted to say something on the subject :ausb:

Edited November 8, 200618 yr by juleslou

Glad you are thinking about breeding Juleslou and not rushing into it. Again, when the time comes, re-evaluate your situation and think about the reasons and outcome. So sorry to know that you have had experiences with budgies that are not being well cared for, maybe you can have some input to stop these poor birds from going through more bad times and getting a bigger cage and looked after properly. Glad you enjoy your birds (I sure do!) and always consider what is best for THEM! That is what good bird ownership (or pet ownership is about) and you can go to bed happy at night and get up in the morning content in the fact that you are taking care of your buddies as best you can. :ausb:

Phoebe, I tear up when I think about this topic too. I was also involved in shelter work, and last semester we got a few lectures on pets in modern society. I was very upset to find about 80,000 dogs and cats are admitted to shelters in Victoria (Australia) alone - 30% of dogs and 60% of cats are destroyed. These are the ones that get picked up and doesn't take into account the animals that die on the street. These numbers are absolutely beyond my comprehension, and it just makes me so upset to think about it. Just... Why?? I don't have figures for birds and part of me is too scared to go looking. The (humane) destruction of animals that goes on shelters is a little niche in society that the public isn't really aware of. To think of what those people who put down animals have to deal with as well.

Is it really worth breeding an animal because it seems fun; to bring a creature into this world to have it mistreated and suffer, only to find its early end in crowded shelters? It doesn't seem fair to me.

 

Anyway, I'm waffling. Let me stress that I am not against breeding itself, but irresponsible breeding. So that doesn't apply to nearly all the breeders on this site because from what I can tell they absolutely love their birds and give them all the best.

I think the general public needs to be made aware of exactly what is involved, for beginners to evaulate why they want to breed birds and consider the birds' needs. That makes this forum a great place because it does educate people who consider going into it, the responsibilities and requirements.

 

What is your opinion on making pamphlets about bird keeping (and breeding) to distribute among pet stores that will take them? That will get to people who think they want to start bird breeding, at least. It could be made online and therefore easily accessible all over the world, anyone can print them and give them to stores. It should get checked over by an avian vet first, of course. Or.. something. Gah. I just want to do something. The suffering that goes on is just unnacceptable.

Chrysocome

 

It's a great idea and I was just thinking a similar way, but I wonder if the pet shop owners would pass them on. After all for some it might mean a customer will re-think their decision to buy a budgie, and they would lose the sale. Then there is the expense.

 

I fully agree with everything Phoebe and others are saying and probably am guilty of getting into this budgie addiction a little backwards myself. But I have never neglected an animal in my life and am fully prepared to pay what ever it takes to care for my two dogs, cat, fish and budgies.

 

I have also seen some terrible things working as a vet nurse many years ago. Some people love their pets but are just totally ignorant of their proper needs and don't necessarily have the intelligence to do the research. It's by no means an excuse, but it is often a fact. I guess some people when you look at some people are capable of behaving this way to thier children.

 

Is there something we can really do? I'm not sure but it would be worth a try...

Great idea Chrysocome, I had considered that myself. But unless governments at all levels would mandate such an idea, it wouldn't fly with the stores or the people that advertise in the classified sections of the newspapers. After all, the bottom line is $$$, at least the major outlets will take back the bird within 10 - 14 days, who knows about the rest. They would say a basic "budgie starter kit" has a booklet that gives all the info that is required. (?have you read one of those things?) I am sure there are reputable breeders who directly sell and scrutinize who is getting their birds and let folks know what to expect but for every one of those responsible breeders, there is a "puppy mill" (?budgie mill) (yes that is a problem here as well and the laws are getting stiffer with penalties but these things take time.) One of our former members volunteers at an Exotic Bird rescue and they often have a kiosk set up in various shopping malls letting people know about what is involved in bird ownership. As well, I am involved with an organization that wants to have bunnies neutered/speyed before release from pet shops (again, these things take time). There is an epidemic here of cute little baby bunnies being bought, people get tired of them, dump them in parks or anywhere, they reproduce like mad, get into farmer's fields and people's gardens and destroy everything. Will stop here, the outcome is just too graphic.

Budgiebaby, as a former vet nurse, you now what exactly I am talking about and probably don't want to even remember certain cases that you saw. Again, sometimes people mean well but they don't think about the animals needs. Let me make it perfectly clear that I am not anti-breeder (far from it, the professional breeder sets the standards, joins bird clubs, and tries to educate us, the average Joe public who hasn't a clue). What I do take exception to is the people that think they might like to breed (like people who think their kids should see a litter of cats/dogs being born), they should really think what they are doing and their reasons for bringing another sweet little birdie into the world. Even scarier are the people that throw in a nest box, the babies hatch and they don't know what is supposed to happen and aren't prepared. There seems to be a lot of new members that madly want to breed so this is why I resurrected this post, going to mail off another $100 cheque to my favourite bird rescue on payday; there is no government funding, this lady has little to go on, relies on volunteers (whom sometime have other obligations) and there are TONS of birds there and this is only one rescue. Jumping off my podium again and all I would ask that people (addressing the home/garage/backyard breeder here)is this is really what you should be doing?

I don't want to breed...but, boy, you are right about the enjoyment of watching these little guys. My four have a hamster wheel and two gym sets on top of their cage...and I just love waking up, letting them out and watching them go through their antics for the morning. It really adds another wonderful dimension to my computer time (I couldn't breed because I know I would keep them all)

 

I got an aviary last year, and had 4 pairs. I did a ton of reading and signed up to forums. I asked many questions, and got great advice. I lost my first baby, and thought to myself, oh my god, what am I doing. I got reassured on here, that a lot of first time mums loose a baby (i read that in books too, but was still heartbroken!) the rest of the babies were fine. I kept all my babies, and have purchased more birds throughout the year. I get so much enjoyment from them. There is nothing better thank waking in the morning to their banter, getting a cup of tea and just sitting watching them. Each one has such a personality, its amaizing! I plan on breeding again this spring, but only 1 pair since I dont want to colony breed this time. Plus I know what mums did the best job last time.

So I dont breed for the money, I breed for the pure enjoyment of having my birds.

All my budgies have taken a vow of celibacy.

 

I agree rabbits should be neutered. The bloke who lives behind us keeps them free range for eating and they are always digging through to my yard and driving the dog nuts. Talk about irresponsible.!

:ausb: Thanks for the input guys, I love the idea of budgies taking the vow of celibacy! Maybe I should chat to my crazy studly bird Comet about this (as he bothers everybody when he gets out). Will put this post to bed now, if I made one person (hopefully two or more people) think about their motives for breeding or gave it a second thought and they decided that it isn't for them in their circumstances or fair to any potential hatchlings it was worth it. :ausb:

:sad: My Dad used to breed when he was my age but he said when he saw this website that he wished it had been around when he was breeding!!

I think the need to breed pets is a maternal/paternal thing that most of us humans have. I can see how the idea of bringing new life into the world, watching them grow (and feather up) is so appealing. I have often thought I would LOVE to breed budgies. My parents had a HUGE aviary when I was growing up and we bred budgies, canaries and finches, we kept them all and it was so wonderful watching these little naked bodies feather up and one day be sitting on the perches next to their mum and dad. Mum and Dad did it for the love of their birds (strictly taking breeding boxes away and always ensuring we didnt over breed!). I remember mum in the kitchen making bowls of "baby food" as they supplemented the sometimes underfed. They were raised on love.

 

As was pointed out many times in this post.. most breeders on this site seem to be like my parents were, breeding sensibly and with such love. However in every case of animal breeding you have your "backyard" breeders who abuse the privilege and do it for the wrong reasons. I salute all the "loving" breeders on this site, who do it to improve the breeds and do it with love for each and every baby that enters their world.

 

I agree that you shouldnt even contemplate it if you havent done your research into breeding, learning EVERYTHING there is to know, realising that if there are problems you must engage an avian vet, and knowing that you will need to pay for this service, asking yourself what your reasons are for breeding, it is a long term commitment. Dont enter into it if you're one of the "lets give it a try" group.

 

I would dearly LOVE to bring baby budgies into this world too, and watch them grow but common sense tells me its a huge responsibility and I am not in a position to look after them or pay for their care if they get sick. So I stick with my two "pet" budgies and just love them dearly. I say again.. i'm sure most of the breeders on this site have the right reason and attitude when it comes to breeding. Good for you!!!

Birds , Dogs, Cats, Mice, Rats , the list goes on even Human children some people just should not have them but is anyone allowed to stop them ???. Will neglect always be there?? Unfortunately Yes , Is there a possibility in the future that something can be done ??? Globally I dont think so, Locally is also Questionable

So whats going to be the solution?????????

Birds , Dogs, Cats, Mice, Rats , the list goes on even Human children some people just should not have them but is anyone allowed to stop them ???. Will neglect always be there?? Unfortunately Yes , Is there a possibility in the future that something can be done ??? Globally I dont think so, Locally is also Questionable

So whats going to be the solution?????????

 

That's a very good question, unfortunetly I don't think anyone has a plausible answer, it's like aiming for 'World Peace'.

 

Though who knows what the future may bring. The human race could turn around one day and think "Damn, we've really screwed up!"

 

...and then again they may not.

I have to agree here.

 

Although l don't breed budgies and have no intention of doing it, my reason is as follows.

 

Being a strong cat-lover, l don't understand why people breed cats and dogs (and other animals too). Most people l know just couldn't be bothered de-sexing their animal, and when they are about to have kittens or pups, they just get so happy about the amount of money they are going to make, they don't care where the animals go, just as long as they get money for them. Do they then bother to get their animal de-sexed? Nope, and the amount of strain it puts on the animal...

 

I have 3 cats, two of which are pedigree, and one whom l found on a construction site l was working on. She was a kitten at the time, obviously not too old, without a collar or microchip, as skinny as anything, and l took her in, but if l were to find out who either dumped her, or who had her out of pure greed for the money, l would give them a huge punch in the nose.

 

All l'm saying is that there are so many unwanted animals out there, looking for a home. By people breeding animals, these pets who are at welfare leagues or the rspca aren't being bought, instead the ones who were bred for money are.

 

Thats why when l eventually move out of home with my boyfriend, we will be buying all our pets from the animal welfare league. We're going to do the right thing and buy a dog and maybe some cats who were dumped because people didn't want them, and give them a home.

 

However - breeding animals (like birds) to keep and extend your family, l have no problem with, because your willing to live with them and care for them. I couldn't handle someone having one of my animals offspring, l wouldn't know if they were taking care of them or not

Edited February 9, 200817 yr by Missy

Exactly Missy and all, that is why, when bird or critter is adopted out, we make people fill out an application (you would be surprised to see how this scares people off, if you can't fill out a form, you can't be bothered to take care of a pet) and do followup. Again, this post, and man it is an OLD one, was written up, to in no way discredit or attack responsible breeders, but we have seen people kind of roll off the couch, sign up and say, "hey, think, I'll breed my budgies". To give those individuals a chance to rethink their decision. :ygbudgie:

Edited February 9, 200817 yr by Phoebe

that is how I feel too Missy everyone but our husky (who is now 14) has been a rescue, abandoned or FREE to good home because of an unwanted litter...even Merlin was a rescue baby. OH I must correct myself Pretty was a pet store budgie which I won't do that again (nothing bad about pet stores) but like you said so many are unwanted and need homes.