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Post by lizb on Nov 29, 2013 18:53:42 GMT
I have thought long and hard ... I am going to have a go at baby budgies... This is not a long term breeding plan just maybe one try :-)
First things first I have to separate my big cage in two .... I have the divider and tray.
I only have three birds 2 boys one girl
Winnie and Ernest r already in love so keep that as that.. So I need a hen for George. Regardless George is me third wheel and is alone on the other side of the cage while the other have there candle lit dinners together lol so a hen for him would be good.
I am currently making a list of things I need as in breeding stuff and just in case it goes a bit pear shaped stuff... Would be great if anyone could help.. I am not rushing into nest boxes etc yet as there is some reading to do.
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Post by kikkinu on Nov 29, 2013 23:48:12 GMT
I'm not an expert, but I've done something similar to what your planning to do.
What kinda of info are you looking for?
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Post by lizb on Nov 30, 2013 6:05:32 GMT
Well before I start with nest boxes
I need to know how o get my birds in tip top conditions and thing I need to add to there food and water
My Long battle with veg of any shape or form is a flop
I currently give them trill. Tonic seed and egg biscuit mix
Veg 2 x weekly but always untouched
Also the sort things I need in prep for breeding what I should have at hand
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Post by stace on Nov 30, 2013 9:21:14 GMT
There are some really helpful threads in the Breeding section. I'd start there to get a good overview and then ask about things you're unsure about.
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 30, 2013 9:44:40 GMT
Oooh best of luck lizb! Let us know how things progress  |
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Post by kikkinu on Nov 30, 2013 14:13:32 GMT
Well before I start with nest boxes I need to know how o get my birds in tip top conditions and thing I need to add to there food and water My Long battle with veg of any shape or form is a flop I currently give them trill. Tonic seed and egg biscuit mix Veg 2 x weekly but always untouched Also the sort things I need in prep for breeding what I should have at hand i know alot of people here are quite sophisticated with their budgie diets. i keep it simple. Water with some basil in it. Normal seed mix and since they dont eat veg (like yours they dont touch it. I get them wild plants - mind mainly prefer Annual Mercury(Mercurialis annua), Annual Daisy(Bellis annua), Bristly Oxtongue(Pricris echioides) and they especially love Cape Sorrel (Oxalis pes-caprae), probably cause it's really juicy. When I find Greater Snapdragon(Antirrhinum tortuosum) but its not very common. I like to sprinkle it with water cause they go for it even more. I do give them Friskies egg biscuits and the occasional millet. Make sure they have a good source of calcium, since they're gonna be laying eggs. As for things you need is a pair in love in a breeding cage, and a nest box. I do like to put wood shavings in the nest box cause its easier to clean, but mine keep throwing it out of the box. |
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Post by lizb on Dec 2, 2013 6:41:00 GMT
Thank u for ya advise
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Post by nat on Dec 2, 2013 15:00:58 GMT
Hi Liz. Certainly before breeding its a good idea to start to add a calcium supplement in the water twice a week to build up the hens resources. When the hen lays eggs the calcium is taken from her bones so cuttle bone alone may not be enough. I use either calcivet or calciform. While breeding I don't actually feed veg until the chicks are starting to leave the nestbox. Many people do though. My reason for this is if food is being regurgitated all round the place then some of its bound to get onto the shavings in the nestbox and the chicks pick at it. Veg matter seems to start to go off much more quickly than other types of food.But it is purely a matter of personal choice. Before starting to breed its a good idea to treat nestboxes with an anti red mite treatment. Even indoors red mite may appear due to the warmth of the nesbox. Also give your adult birds a spot on treatment of ivermectin to prevent internal and external parasites. Once chicks are hatched you won't be able to do this until the youngest is 4 weeks. Also you may like to buy a bird safe disenfectant to daily sterilise feed bowls with. Vanodine, F10 or vircon S are recommended, but Milton baby fluid is effective and easier to get hold of You may like to go the whole hog and buy hand rearing equiptment, incubator and food, but thats entirely your choice. I have done this in the past and used it, but it nearly killed me getting up all hours of the night so now I let nature take its course with things and only top up babies with a bent spoon if really necessary. Its as easy or hard as you want to make it  |
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Post by Hezz on Dec 3, 2013 1:14:26 GMT
Excellent stuff, nat! That is a great response. These are the sorts of things I would want to know. |
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Post by lizb on Dec 10, 2013 3:59:07 GMT
Thank u for the advise I see what u mean about the veg it goes every where.
At the mo still in search for a hen I was going to get one quarenteen etc and let her settle in for a while before starting.
I will get the calcium as stated, I may get a few emergency things just in case as I am a total novice.
What do u treat the nest boxes with ?
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Post by lizb on Dec 10, 2013 3:59:59 GMT
I have the spot on stuff already so
So that's a check :-)
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