Girl love!

[marleen4]

One of my aviaries has 3 nest boxes. At the beginning of this breeding season 2 of the cocks became ill at about the same time and passed away after doing the deed. The 2 hens sorted this out between themselves; they nest shared and had 5 beautiful chicks. They looked after one another well including mouth-to-mouth feeding, and took turns sitting on the eggs.

Meanwhile I surprised them with 2 new males. This morning one of the males was ready to take one of the hens as his own. Unfortunately he was less than private and the other hen obviously took offence. She chased the poor cock away and proceeded to sit on top of the other hen, moving around like a cock..... oh no!

[xemeraldx]

Hahaha! XD Seems like your female doesn't want to give up the dominant role, and has likely even developed a romantic attachment to the other hen. (Sorry if my amusement is out of line..)

[marleen4]

I think it's rather funny myself!

The poor boy will have to learn to assert himself, not that easy in a matriarchal society. It takes a bit to become an alpha male in budgie land. ;D

[BudgiesBuddy]

It is the third time that I have heard of two hens sharing the nest and raising the young together. One of the earlier two pairs were sisters from the same clutch. It proves that anything is possible with budgies and it more the individual personalities than budgies in general.

[annieones]

I started off almost crying, thinking this was amazing and sweet and then I fell about in laughter at the end lol. Go girls.

[marleen4]

I suppose there is a bit of a Christmas message in this story, although not sure whether the young cock agrees!

I have had hens sharing a nest once before, but have never seen them "mating" before; that's what blew me away.

[marleen4]

I thought you may be interested in how this story continued.
The dominant female became more and more demanding in her behaviour. She would not let either of the 2 males feed the hen that was sitting on the nest, instead she wished to be fed by both of them and pass it on to the other hen. She also would not let them mate with either of them.
I decided to put her into the other aviary to separate the 2 females, and I also moved one of the males in with her. The second aviary already had 3 pairs of budgies, so this was a bit of a risk.
The dominant hen initially continued her behaviour and kicked another hen and two babies out of their nests. One of these babies I put back in the nest, as she was not ready to leave. The other hen is infertile so I did not mind too much that her nest was taken over, and she seems happy enough to enjoy the breeze and the sunshine. There is another nest available when she's ready.
The dominant hen was deservedly put in her place for her behaviour. The other birds defended themselves, and she had a small wound on her forehead. Just what she needed in my opinion.
So... she and her old mate have now laid a few eggs. She sits on the eggs, and behaves like a normal budgie again. I see no signs of her dominance or other signs of anxiety anymore.
So... the story has come to a good end! I'm waiting for baby budgies next....

[Hezz]

Thanks for the update, Marleen. Look forward to baby budgie pics soon.

[Deleted]

Just for future reference never add new hens when your other hens are breeding , you could have twenty empty nests and she will still choose the one that is being used.

Glad all is well now.

[samwiseg]

What a story! I learn so much from the forum and never thought that would happen?! Glad all is well tho

[Hezz]

Feb 9, 2013 8:05:43 GMT samwiseg said:

What a story! I learn so much from the forum and never thought that would happen?! Glad all is well tho

What are you trying to say, Sam?? Didn't you think you could learn anything else, or learn anything from us??

[samwiseg]

Feb 10, 2013 1:10:41 GMT Hezz said:

Feb 9, 2013 8:05:43 GMT samwiseg said:

What a story! I learn so much from the forum and never thought that would happen?! Glad all is well tho

What are you trying to say, Sam?? Didn't you think you could learn anything else, or learn anything from us??

Oh God!     I didn't mean it to sound that way! *open mouth & insert foot*

What I MEANT was, The forum is an extremely informative place and I never thought I would learn so much about budgies (and it stick)!   But when I said "and never thought that would happen" I would have never thought that Hens would behave in that way! 

Evolution or adaptation?

[Marianne Marlow]

Feb 10, 2013 8:33:01 GMT samwiseg said:

What I MEANT was, The forum is an extremely informative place and I never thought I would learn so much about budgies (and it stick)!   But when I said "and never thought that would happen" I would have never thought that Hens would behave in that way! 

Evolution or adaptation?

It's all thanks to everyone that shares their information!

The people make this place what it is

[samwiseg]

Suppose its like members of a jury, it takes all walks of life to give a different view or perspective

[Hezz]

Feb 10, 2013 8:33:01 GMT samwiseg said:

Feb 10, 2013 1:10:41 GMT Hezz said:

What are you trying to say, Sam?? Didn't you think you could learn anything else, or learn anything from us??

Oh God!     I didn't mean it to sound that way! *open mouth & insert foot*

What I MEANT was, The forum is an extremely informative place and I never thought I would learn so much about budgies (and it stick)!   But when I said "and never thought that would happen" I would have never thought that Hens would behave in that way! 

Evolution or adaptation?

I know what you meant, Sam. I just couldn't resist! If I didn't feel I knew you so well, and knew you wouldn't take offence, I would never have wound you up like that. Smooches. We good??