Help with Breeding

[Tara]

I have a pair of budgies who have now been together for 8 months. They are constantly showing interest in each other, but no breeding success. It was suggested that a get another female to give him a choice. Well, all it ended up with is screeching between the females and the original pair stayed "joined at the hip". I have since removed the second female. Having a terrible time finding an "of age male" around here. All are new babies. Very frustrated, because I just love them. Have since purchased a beautiful solid yellow "male". They swore up and down that is what he was, now not so sure, looking more like a female.

[Budgiekin]

It sounds like you've got an interesting dilemma. It's a good thing you removed the other female, so pat on the back for you! :p Do you know how old the pair that have been together for 8 months is? Breeding is best when the budgies are at least 14 months old as they are fully mature by that time. Breeding any earlier can result in problems galore.

As far as getting them to mate, there are a few things you can do to encourage it. I'm not sure what you may be already doing but controlling their daylight hours (you'd want at least 10-12 hours of natural daylight or artificial full spectrum light), and providing a nest box are a couple of ideas. Does the male sing to the female? That often stimulates the female to enter a breeding phase.

Anyone got any other ideas?

[Joey]

Yes it is a good thing that you removed the female it would ahave been better if you got another male and provided them with a nest box. Could you possibly post some pictures and I could tell you more about them such as there age and a little bit more?

[Tara]

Thanks for answering. The female is at least 1 1/2 years old. and the male is approx. 14 -16 months. His brother has all kinds of babies. For the past few months, I have in a quiet spot with lots of daylight. The also have a nesting box in their cage. They love sitting ON it! I am learning that not too many people around here really know anything about budgies.

[Budgiekin]

Are you referring to people on this forum not knowing anything about budgies, or are you referring to the people where you live?

[Tara]

Thanks for your advice. Having a terrible time trying to find a breeding male. Everything is very very young, and terrible looking. Drove an hour and 1/2 away to get a male. It is absolutely beautiful, but I was not sure at the time it was a male, they swore up and down that it was. He is on the younger side, and his cete is purplish with white nostrile rings. Any advise on where I might find one. I am an hour north of Barrie, Ontario

[Tara]

Sorry, the people where I live. Everyone on this forum have been wonderful. I am so glad that I joined. I am learning lots.

[Budgiekin]

Phew!! That makes me happy to know that!! :p

As far as getting an older male Budgie near where you are, I'll have to look into that to see if I can find anything out for you. While I have never been to Barrie, I have been pretty darn close!!

[Tara]

Thank you for your help. Where abouts are you from?

[Budgiekin]

I live in Ottawa, but I have visited Toronto and its surrounding area (Beamsville, Oakville). My hubby on the other hand travels to North Bay, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City. . . .

[Amy]

I never knew that Budgiekin! Um, but we seem to be off topic!