Breeding budgies: Awesome Advice For Beginners
Breeding budgies introduction
Breeding budgies (also known as parakeets) can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and attention to ensure the health and well-being of both the adult birds and their offspring. Here is a guide on how to breed budgies:
Breeding budgies preparation
- Choose Healthy Birds:
- Select a pair of budgies that are healthy, active, and at least one year old, as they need to be mature enough to breed successfully.
- Avoid inbreeding by ensuring the birds are not closely related.
- Set Up the Breeding Environment:
- Use a spacious cage to allow the pair to move around comfortably.
- Provide a nesting box: The box should be at least 8 x 8 x 8 inches with an entrance hole of about 2 inches in diameter. Line the box with wood shavings or a nesting material specifically designed for birds.
- Diet and Nutrition:
- Provide a balanced diet rich in nutrients, including seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- Offer calcium supplements, like cuttlebone or mineral blocks, to support the female during egg production.
- Environmental Conditions:
- Maintain a consistent day/night cycle with 10-12 hours of light to encourage breeding.
- Ensure the environment is calm and free from disturbances to prevent stress.
Breeding Process
- Pair Bonding:
- Allow the male and female to bond naturally. They may preen each other, feed each other, and engage in mutual grooming.
- Observe for signs of courtship, such as the male singing and performing a dance to attract the female.
- Mating:
- Once bonded, the pair will mate. The male will often feed the female as part of the courtship process.
- Egg Laying:
- The female will lay eggs every other day until she has laid a clutch, typically consisting of 4 to 6 eggs.
- She will begin incubating the eggs after laying the second or third egg.
- Incubation:
- The incubation period lasts about 18-21 days.
- The female will stay in the nest most of the time, while the male provides food and support.
Caring for Chicks
- Hatching:
- Chicks will hatch a few days apart, and the mother will tend to them by feeding regurgitated food.
- Ensure both parents are providing sufficient care and nourishment.
- Growth and Development:
- Chicks will develop quickly, growing feathers and becoming more active.
- Provide soft foods, such as soaked seeds and egg food, to supplement their diet as they begin to wean.
- Fledging:
- Chicks typically fledge (leave the nest) at around 4-5 weeks old.
- Continue to offer food and monitor their progress as they learn to eat independently.
Important Considerations
- Monitoring Health: Regularly check the health of both the parents and chicks. Look out for signs of illness or distress.
- Avoid Overbreeding: Allow sufficient time between breeding attempts to prevent stress and health issues in the breeding pair.
- Record Keeping: Keep records of breeding pairs, hatch dates, and any observations to assist in managing your breeding program.
By providing the right conditions and care, breeding budgies can be a fulfilling experience that contributes to the joy of having these delightful birds in your life.
Breeding budgies by: AWEBSA
The budgie is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot. Budgerigars are the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus and are found wild throughout the drier parts of Australia.
Budgerigars are naturally green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings, but have been bred in captivity with coloring in blues, whites, yellows, greys, and even with small crests. Budgerigars are popular pets around the world due to their small size, low cost, and ability to mimic human speech. The species was first recorded in 1805, and today is the third most popular pet in the world, after the domesticated dog and cat.
Selecting a pair
The male and the female should both be at least one year old. Selecting a pair that is already bonded will help ensure a shorter time until they begin to mate and lay eggs. If you wish to breed for a certain variety, learn about budgie varieties and genetics.
Setting up a pair of budgies for breeding
Each pair should be set up in their own cage at least 24″w x 16″d x 16″h (70x40x40cm).
A wooden nest box should be attached outside of the breeding cage.
A wooden insert with a concave circle should be in the bottom of the nesting box to prevent splayed legs.
Pine shavings (unscented) should be layered in the bottom of the box over the wooden insert. The hen will adjust the pine shavings to her liking. It is very important to have a cuttlebone and mineral block in the cage. An iodine salt spool is also recommended.
At least two perches should be provided. Try to provide variety in perches, including a safe natural wood branch.
Breeding budgies: Proper Care of the Chicks
If you need to handle the eggs, be sure to completely clean your hands before handling them. Bacteria from your hands can be absorbed through the shell which can harm the baby.
By Braam Visser for AWEBSA
Further Research
Here is complete information about feeding budgies.
Here is an eBook to help you choose what you can feed your budgies:
https://www.wwbirds.co.za/dir/101-food-items-for-birds-ebook/
Get to know me on Facebook: