Kiwi and Lilly will they or wont they?

[outnumbered]

I am still undecided about whether I want to breed my two but perhaps someone can advise me on this mating lark. I only have Kiw 18 months and Lilly 11 months. Apart from a few hiccups with normal hen behaviour they get on great,they preen, feed each other etc. Now, I have never seen them mate and they have been together for about 8 months. I have been reading about getting them in condition with diet etc so assuming everything was fine from that end can I just keep them in the same cage as they are now and add a nest box, would this encourage them to mate or are they just platonic friends?
Thanks

[marleen4]

They are likely to mate once they have a nest box and get broody. For outside birds it has to be the right season, but assuming you live in NZ (with Kiwi as bird name!) you should be fine. Adding the box to their cage will work, although I prefer them to have a bit of space.

Go to the breeding page for loads of tips on the set up etc. There is a lot to be learnt for a first time breeder!

Enjoy

[BudgiesBuddy]

Keep up with breeding build up diet.
You can add the nest box to same cage, but it depends on the cage and whether or not it is suitable for breeding.
Some of mine never mate, even with the nest box and some mate without the nest box throughout the year.
Anyhow it is always advisable to breed with at least two pairs.

[outnumbered]

Nov 17, 2012 2:20:54 GMT marleen4 said:

They are likely to mate once they have a nest box and get broody. For outside birds it has to be the right season, but assuming you live in NZ (with Kiwi as bird name!) you should be fine. Adding the box to their cage will work, although I prefer them to have a bit of space.

Go to the breeding page for loads of tips on the set up etc. There is a lot to be learnt for a first time breeder!

Enjoy

I live in uk and my birds are inside I have read a lot about set ups etc but it is all aimed at removing the pair into a breeding cage. I found very little on breeding pet types in thier own cage that is why I asked about thier cage . I will post photos later but my cage is a standard wire plastic bottom 77x 44 x 70 cm.

Thanks for your help

[outnumbered]

Nov 17, 2012 7:51:17 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

Keep up with breeding build up diet.
You can add the nest box to same cage, but it depends on the cage and whether or not it is suitable for breeding.
Some of mine never mate, even with the nest box and some mate without the nest box throughout the year.
Anyhow it is always advisable to breed with at least two pairs.

I did read about 2 pairs bieng better BB but that is not very likely. It took all of my energy and charm to convince my husband to get 2 ;D I will post photos later of my setup.

Thanks.