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Post by Hezz on Jun 11, 2015 0:54:54 GMT
I think you need to be prepared to be a bit more of a parent yourself, rather than sitting back and seeing what happens ....... if the bad stuff starts to happen then it is all over before you will be aware. For instance there is the possibility of with fly-strike in the chicks if the nests aren't checked and cleaned every day once there are chicks pooping in the nest box. Also you might find you have fighting amongst the cocks if Izzy does pair up with an overly protective lad, if you don't separate the couple ....... if you do decide to breed. You have a good six months to think it all through from your end of things, but don't be fooled into thinking the birds will taking too much notice of your calendar ....... (and that is not the aforementioned calendar which as been the topic of great discussion.  ) they may well have their own timetable mapped out.  |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 11, 2015 1:18:06 GMT
I'll be truthful with you Gareth, I cannot wait for my last lot of eggs to be done with. It is very hard work, frustrating, worrying, time consuming but also very enjoyable when an egg hatches. I need to have a break, and now that my two pairs have had two rounds (Mim is now sitting on 9 eggs!) the nest boxes will be closed and the pairs well rested before going back into the flight.
Don't get me wrong, it has been a massive learning curve, and I'm glad that I, and they, did it. It helped me out of a serious bout of depression as it gave me something to focus on, and the two chicks that I currently have will always be special to me.
Yes I will do it again, but there are a lot of things that I need to change and get right first. Getting the birds into the best condition much further ahead than what I did will be the first thing. I believe that I have found the best seed (Haith's) and they certainly get through it. I want to learn more about supplements that work and are important, and ignore those that aren't necessary. Fresh foods supplied much earlier to all of the birds before pairing, and then separating the pairs into the cages but not allowing a nest for several weeks to a month to ensure best condition. Trimming vents is something I didn't do, and I think that could be why I have had plenty of eggs but only 3 chicks hatched (one died after a few days old).
There does however appear to be those that just let their birds breed and don't change anything, and yet they have success, just look on YouTube, BUT how good are their chicks? Are they as strong as they could've been? Do they carry any weaknesses in the genes that may grow larger with every clutch? You only get out what you put in.
Personally, I would leave them to grow a bit more, and to take that time to learn as much as possible. I would also say no to colony breeding even though you only have one female. She may lay eggs and then go off them to seek further mates, and ignore the eggs. Putting her in a breeding cage with her mate helps make them concentrate more, and less likely to come off the eggs, or eat them etc. I have seen the dedication that my pairs have and will happily breed these pairs again.
In regards to your comment about inter-breeding, just ring them with split coloured rings, parents included if you intend to keep the pairs the same every time. Brian and Mim have orange rings, as does their chick. Her new cutch (if hatched) will also get the same colour rings. Tom and Mildred are yellow rings......
I know that any two different colours can mate, and that any other pairings will have their own colours.
One last thing, you wanted an all male aviary, but now that seems to have changed why don't you just leave them as they are without the thought of breeding, until you are fully ready to put the effort in? Is breeding something that you really want to do? Just don't supply a nest or an area where a nest could be made. Any eggs laid, just toss them out.
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Post by FFG on Jun 11, 2015 8:56:21 GMT
Thanks Learner Hezz and Darren. Really appreciate your knowledge and comments (and everybody else's). If I'm honest no I didn't intend on breeding them. Where I live I see quite a few different birds and do love seeing babies appear... I think the surprise of discovering I had a female in the mix got me thinking. My first thought was that I don't want her to be on her own so thought about getting another female (when contacting the breeder he did say I could exchange her for a male. This seems wrong to me as she is part of the family. She may have a hefty bite but now I know she's female she is going to be feisty !). I then thought because she is female should i give her the chance to become a mother. I do agree about colony breeding but in my head (with no experience of course) I was thinking (in my perfect little world) I supply the nest box, she mates, lays eggs, hopefully they hatch, become healthy budgies, I keep what I have now got, take the nest box away, no more breeding and we all live happily ever after.... (I have got two cages still so was thinking if I did have to intervene I could adapt one to house a nest box and separate the parents). This is why this site is so valuable to me. You are real people that have a passion for these little crazy birds and its nice to feel that I can actually talk to you instead of painstakingly trying to surf the net and ending up with conflicting answers! A big respect to the founders and staff that keep this site going. I think you are all lady's so I send a bunch of virtual flowers to you all And Darren, good to know the buds are helping you mate. It happens to the best people and absolutely no shame in it whatsoever! You are doing a great job with your buds and you do a thankless job. I am fortunate that at times we do get thanks for what we do but to uphold the law and deal with things you must do I would really struggle with! Take care mate and keep smiling |
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Post by Hezz on Jun 12, 2015 1:09:38 GMT
Just got my "flowers", Gareth.  I know, it can be tempting, this breeding malarky; I seriously considered the same when Mango started dropping eggs all over the place, but reality is that I don't have the room for more ......... yet. Things may change there, but not for now. Glad Izzy is staying put; as you say, she is part of the family now. I believe pets are forever, whether they be feathered or furred. |
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Post by suesbird on Jun 12, 2015 13:02:01 GMT
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh thank you for the flowers, oh very jealous.  |
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Post by FFG on Jun 12, 2015 18:18:14 GMT
Me and my girl x  |
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Post by suesbird on Jun 12, 2015 18:25:35 GMT
She is lovely.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 13, 2015 0:32:38 GMT
Isn't she a sweetheart? |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 14, 2015 19:07:05 GMT
Where's my flowers?   |
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Post by FFG on Jun 14, 2015 19:11:44 GMT
Where's my flowers? Haha, I sent you an imaginary pint mate, but as you have been away for a while I ended up drinking it! Sorry |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 14, 2015 21:54:22 GMT
Oh, that was why I had an empty glass on my table Chuck me another then Gareth, I'm here to drink it now |
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Post by FFG on Jun 15, 2015 12:48:10 GMT
Oh, that was why I had an empty glass on my table Chuck me another then Gareth, I'm here to drink it now On it's way |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 15, 2015 19:12:46 GMT
Going down a treat |
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Post by suesbird on Jun 15, 2015 19:20:02 GMT
Darren I did the seeds in boiling water for 24 hours, rinsed them and put them in a container but nothing happened, do you leave them dry or on a damp piece of kitchen roll, with or without light?
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Post by FFG on Jun 15, 2015 19:36:17 GMT
Darren I did the seeds in boiling water for 24 hours, rinsed them and put them in a container but nothing happened, do you leave them dry or on a damp piece of kitchen roll, with or without light? |
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) they may well have their own timetable mapped out. 
I know, it can be tempting, this breeding malarky; I seriously considered the same when Mango started dropping eggs all over the place, but reality is that I don't have the room for more ......... yet. Things may change there, but not for now. 
