I've done plenty of research on breeding budgies for months now, and I have been considering breeding my two budgies. I know, I'm sure there are plenty of people that come to this site for this purpose exactly, and I'm sure you are wondering why so many people are looking into this, but I don't believe that it is wrong or irresponsible to ask for information. I am completely aware that breeding is going to be far from an easy task, and I can assure you that I am putting the health and well-being of my birds and their young first. I do have a few simple questions though, and some friendly input would be greatly appriciated.

 

- What size and/or design for a nest-box would you recomend best?

 

- Do you recomend lining the nest-box with any specific materials?

 

- I understand that it is extremely important that the female consumes plently of calcium, so are there any certain foods/veggies that are best for this? (I currently feed them harrisons bird food pellets, occassional broccoli + other veggies, hard-boiled egg, and they have access to a cuttlefish bone.)

 

- Is there a specific breeding formula that I should start to introduce into their diet in order to insure that the chicks are fed healthy and nutriously by the parents? If so, when/how should I introduce this into their diet? (Protein is especially important, correct?)

 

-It is clear that my pair is bonded. The female is continuously fed by the male, they preen and 'kiss' eachother very frequently, and they get along well. However, I never seen them mate. It's actually quite entertaining to see the male trying to 'mate' with the branch/perch right next to the female's favorite toy. :(Laughing out loud): Is this normal? When/how do you think I can expect her to let him mount her?

 

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by BudgieLove

well the experts will come along but I wanted to say hi welcome to our forums, if you want you can certainly introduce your flock in the welcome section with pictures . And you are correct, asking questions is the best way to get knowledge!! Good Luck, on everything.

Hi and welcome. Just the normal budgie breeding box will be fine. Some open at the side for inspection, and some at the top. It depends upon your setup as to which you get, get the one that is easiest for you to check. When you check the box (and it's a good idea to do it a couple of times a day from when you put it in, so the hen gets used to you) tap on the side of the box before you open it. Just a bit of warning for the hen!

Most hens will kick out any nesting material you put in. Some, like mine, will chew on the nest box, and make their own nesting material (which mine then kick out, stupid birds!)

Make sure you have a cuttlefish available at all times. Good quality seeds/pelles, plenty of fresh food, keep up the egg (including the shell).

My birds prefer to feed fresh food to their bubs - they only use seed or egg and biscuit mix if they run out of fresh foods. At all times I have seed, egg and biscuit mix in there. Twice a day I provide a hard boiled egg, with shell, and fresh vegies.

 

Yep, perfectly normal behaviour. She will allow him to 'do the deed' when her cere has gone nice and dark. This should be a week or so after you provide the nesting box.

 

I think I've answered it all, although others will add to this. It's great to see you asking questions before breeding! The first time is both scary and exciting - but it is always amazing to see how they can start new life. Good luck, and remember, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!

Alright, thank you very much for the information.

 

So while she is feeding the chicks I should offer fresh foods, such as veggies, as well as hard-boiled egg and seed for her to feed them with? What kind of fresh foods would be best?

 

(Sorry for so many questions..I'm just trying to make sure I definitely know what I'm doing. :(Laughing out loud): )

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by BudgieLove

Any fresh foods will do. And she should get some every day, breeding or not, but when breeding she will really need large amounts! Do a search on here, there are some great posts on fresh foods. And you can't ask too many questions.

 

 

*Edit to remove tiel typed additions! *

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by Lin

Alright, thank you very much for the information.

 

So while she is feeding the chicks I should offer fresh foods, such as veggies, as well as hard-boiled egg and seed for her to feed them with? What kind of fresh foods would be best?

 

(Sorry for so many questions..I'm just trying to make sure I definitely know what I'm doing. )

All budgies should be getting fresh food every day. Mine like corn on the cob ( thawed frozen corn is okay too ), bok choy and celery cut up fine. Some like it in bigger pieces, mine like it cut up. The mother feeds her babies whatever she has eaten, digested and regurgitated.....not directly from the food you give her, if you know what I mean. Seed is only part of a budgies diet....fresh greens always are very important. The darker the leaf green the better.....iceberg lettuce does not have much value and can give them the "runs". A lot of budgies like broccoli (mine don't) ....just persevere every day till they get on a good diet. My birds get fed before I do every day......and I have around 70-80 birds.....mostly budgies.

Oh, I didn't mean to make it sound like I didn't feed my budgies fresh foods on a regular basis. :(Laughing out loud): I do offer them fresh veggies everyday. And yes, I do know that budgies regurgitate their food in order to feed their young, haha. I suppose I should have rephrased that.

 

The help is much appriciated though, thank you.

It sounds like they are ona great diet already. Pellets and vegges. Mine go made for the egg when feeding young ones and love grated carrot as well.

Sound like plenty of good advice...... Not a lot of room to expand on.

 

Just make sure you have some hand raising formular. Knowledge how to use it, and the number of a good Avian Vet.

 

There are some links to good advice in my signature.