The Flock

[Amy]

I saw Rosie and Jim mating!! And I'm going to be home for a few months, (no holidays) so I think this might be a good oppertunity to breed them again. I'd like to increase my flock numbers. :) 2 pairs seem interested in breeding again.

But.

I was wondering.. I have about 5 or 6 nestboxes now, do you think it would be wise or stupid to have a go at flock/colony breeding? I've recently been researching on it. My nearest breeder recommended it when I said I was interested in breeding and when I'd just bought my avairy.

Only 1 other pair (Spring and Pip) are likely to breed. As I have so many nestboxes, I don't think it's likely that I'll have any problems with fighting over boxes if I put them all at the same level! And if any other pairs decide to join in, there's room. :P

If I do come into any problems, I have spare cages for any pairs that are breeding.

I'm prepared for anything that could happen, but I think if any of my flock start mating (like they have,) then I should provide them with places to nest.

My dad keeps aking when I want himto help me put the boxes up! I think I'll ask him soon. :)

Feel free to post your views. :)

Amy and The Flock

P.S. I'll be posting a few pictures of my flock and the boxes when they're up!

[issy]

Good luck with everything, you definitely sound prepared! Can't wait to read your journal if you make one - it will be quite interesting!

[Amy]

This is my journal!!

Right..

I'm just going to ask my dad to help me place the nestboxes in the aviary, I'll take some pictures! I have 6 boxes. :)

[Rosie]

Well you are prepared, so go for it!

Earlier on this year I had a go at colony breeding with my flock. I did, of course know what could happen, eg. fights, but I put my nest boxes in and ended up with 8 gorgeous little babies. No problems, no fights, no deaths. I think that if you have enough choice of nest boxes you'll be fine.

Good Luck and keep us updated!!:D

[Amy]

Congrats Rosie! I remember you saying about that. :)

[BUUZBEE]

I DONT recomend colony breeding... you will be devistated when you have a hen smash eggs, kill chicks and possibly kill you hens. Why put your hens thru the stress? you will have a better clutch if you pull pairs. If you choose to go against my advice (I HOPE YOU DONT) you will need 2-3 boxes PER hen! even if they arent showing signs of breeding, they WILL get hormonal and broody when the boxes are added. so if you have 5 hens, you will need 10-15 nest boxes. I dont think you have the experience or toughness to colony breed... why put yourself thru it?

[pal0m1n0]

I am not sure I see the point in colony breeding myself. I wonder though, in the wild how far apart do budgies make their nests? Some kinds of birds are practically on top of each other and others spread themselves really far apart. If the aviary doesn't provide the space that budgies would typically have in the wild I can see why there would be a lot of fights and such.

[Bea]

In an aviary, you will need twice as many nest boxes as hens, each nest box needs to be about 2ft away from any other, and no two entrances should face each other. You'll only want to try it once too, because once there are related birds, you'll have trouble with in breeding. I've tried it, got LOTS of injured birds, LOTS of smashed eggs and LOTS of heartbreak. Closed breeding is overall much less stressful for both the breeder and the birds.

[Amy]

Ok, thank you everyone for your views, I don't think I will go ahead with the colony breeding after all. :)

I may bring 1 or 2 pairs inside to breed separately instead.

[Bea]

I think you'll find it easier for your first time with baby budgies. :) Believe me, WAY less stressful.

[BUUZBEE]

I couldnt agree more.

[BUUZBEE]

I am not sure I see the point in colony breeding myself. I wonder though, in the wild how far apart do budgies make their nests? Some kinds of birds are practically on top of each other and others spread themselves really far apart. If the aviary doesn't provide the space that budgies would typically have in the wild I can see why there would be a lot of fights and such.

Aviary birds are much more stressed when it comes to breeding... in the wild they are in HUGE flocks, in an aviary, there are only a selected few to breed with, so the fighting begins, for the best man, the best box etc. So you are very correct.

[Amy]

Thank you everyone! I think I'll bring in 3 pairs.

Rosie and Jim, Pip and Spring, and Peppa and Petrie. :)

[BUUZBEE]

I think you'll have much better luck doing it that way amy.