Female won't mate, help!

[lff15]

So, I have 2 pairs. One pair is fine and currently sitting on 5 eggs. The other pair, the male is special needs, because of loss of foot but gets around perfectly fine. He wants to mate and chases her around. I have a special shelf in front of the box for him to get to it and that's where he always wants to mate with her. She just runs away or pecks at him. They are bonded, feeds each other, preens each other, and she does go in and out of the nest box. She's a little over a year old and in breeding condition (chocolate brown cere, tiny bit crusty). He's a little over 2 years. They've been in the cage together for a little over 2 weeks to breed.

[lff15]

[Learner]

There's little you can do I should think other than give them time. What will be will be or not as the case may be... If you see what I mean.

Just thinking:
Was the cock bird's foot lost as a result of an accident?

If it hatched like it I would have serious second thoughts of encouraging it to breed in case it is a result of a genetic disorder rather than risk passing a problem on to another generation when it might be avoided.

[OP]

Just as a thought, could the hen be rejecting the cock because of the missing foot?

[nev90]

Give them time. Two weeks is not long enough to start worrying. With a missing foot he might not be able to balance well enough to mate successfully so even when she does lay her eggs might be infertile.

[lff15]

okay, thank you everyone! Yes it was from an accident. The sitter didn't check in on them as often as I asked and didn't let them out to fly around the room. So, as budgies do when bored, they caused trouble and somehow got hold of my curtain and shredded part of it. Ihla was the only one who got tangled. I found the poor guy when I got home from my 4 day vacation 😔I at least want to give him a chance cuz I know he's so determined to try lol

[jellybean]

This is the problem I envisage from your picture in your other threat re the long tassles. Please cut them short to save this happening again.

[lff15]

I just took the toy out. I don't keep a curtain behind them anymore, as you see by all the pictures. I'm nervous of this year's vacation because it's my mother in law who watched them last time and she lives in the same house as us. And unfortunately the only person I trust to watch my babies isn't allowed at my house anymore because of her. She owns the house so I have no say. 😟

[lff15]

I can't wait till next year December, because we'll be buying our first home and I can hire my trusted friend to watch them on my short vacations

[Hezz]

My first reaction was that two weeks is not terribly long, regardless of whether they are bonded. Also you didn't mention fresh food in your other thread, and emulating Spring, the season of procreation, can be helpful as well.

[lff15]

sorry I wasn't clear about that. I do give them longer days and fresh food, freshly made everyday. That's what the egg food is. It's home made. www.cutelittlebirdiesaviary.com has come to be my favorite reference website, but you can't talk to them or ask questions. /font]