Thinking of breeding

[Nicola]

So I'm thinking of starting breeding again... And even though it's not certain I'm basically jumping up and down with excitement I've been wanting to for a while, but I've only recently decided I might actually do it again considering this could possibly be my last chance to breed them before they get too old and before don't have the time anymore with school and everything. So I thought I better just ask some opinions. In Australia it's coming in to winter next month so it will be pretty cold, so I'm thinking I'll start preparing them for breeding towards the end of winter and put them in with a box in the first month of spring. Does this sound ok? The breeders will also be in their own cage this time too (I used to have pairs together before I realised that it wouldn't work) and although it's not a proper breeding cage I think it will be suitable (I'll put a picture up a bit later to get opinion). I also need opinions on my pair. At the moment I'm thinking I'll breed Daisy and Digger together. Daisy is a nearly 2 1/2 year old yellow face type 2 grey spangle and Digger is a 3 year old opaline dominant pied grey green. Seeing as I haven't bred for a while I wanted to make sure that their ages are good for breeding. Does this sound ok so far? Any tips let me know, as I can't remember the full details of breeding.
Also, if anyone has any idea of the chick outcomes of Daisy and Digger would be, that would be much appreciated

Oh almost forgot, my first pairing option was Cleo and Romeo. Cleo is 1 year old tomorrow and so will be 16 months by the time I was considering to breed them. She's a opaline sky blue spangle. Romeos a 3 1/2 year old sky blue recessive pied. I decided against this pair because I wasn't 100% comfortable with cleos age, but any opinions would be appreciated. If you would like any details of the other birds I'll be happy to give them

[Hezz]

My personal opinion, Nic, is that Daisy is really going to be pushing the age boundary by the time spring comes around again. I really think your best pairing is the younger hen, Cleo, who will be 16 months old then. My little Mango is 18 months old and has been popping out eggs for about the last four months (unfortunately). I am sure Cleo will be fine; she will not be too young, whereas Daisy may just about be too old.

A proper breeding cage is a cage that the birds are comfortable in, has room to move around, room to attach a nest box either inside or outside ....... any cage, as long as it is big enough, can be a breeding cage. Those that are called breeding cage do have a large door flap where you can attach your nest box, which makes it easy to check the box for eggs etc, but these are things that can be worked around. You're smart, you'll work it out.

[Nicola]

Thanks Hezz when I say nearly 2 1/2, I mean Daisy will roughly be that age when the breeding time comes around. Should I use Cleo, which male do you suggest? I know males can breed a bit longer than females, but do you think the ages of the male will matter too much in this case? Cleo is currently paired with Romeo already so that would make it easier but then he is a bit older so...

[Hezz]

From what I remember others having said, you are more likely to get off to a good start with an already bonded pair. I know the males have a much broader age range to work with than the hens. If you think Daisy is aching to be a mum why not try setting the two pairs up, but separately, of course? Most breeders do suggest that you have two pairs sitting at the same time so that if things go awry in either camp, then you have a backup, a support system, if you like. If either pair have problems, you can share those problems around. Do you have another cage to set the other two up in?

[Rachael Kellett]

I'm in a similar situation to you I've been wanting to breed the budgies in my aviary again for a while, the last time being nearly three years ago. The thing that gave me a push was that one of my hens started going territorial over their door that goes from the indoor to outdoor flight and was treating it like a nest that she was guarding. So after much deliberation I set her and her bonded male up in a breeding cage last Thursday. If you have the space, do the research/ refresh your memory on breeding, and can guarantee the babies a forever home with you if you can't find the right new homes for them then go for it although as Hezz says bare in mind the age of the older hen. My Peggy will be three years old in July and I was a little apprehensive breeding her because of that but she seems very enthusiastic about the nestbox lol so it's all good so far.