The short answer isw that there is no problem provided that the hen, if she is a big one, is not enlarged around the vent area – such hens are difficult to breed with.

Of course, both birds need to be in full condition if successful results are desired, so your feeding programme has to be near perfect. May I recommend that you obtain a copy of “The Challenge” which will explain, in depth, a great number of your questions and of course it can be obtained via this website – click on Challenge advert for full details.

Regards,
GSB

I have been a budgerigar breeder now for almost 5 years, and I would like to know whether it is true that pairing a big hen with a big cock bird is dificult for successful breeding?

Thanks,
Don Bait

Pampanga,
Philippines

Regarding Cold Liver Oil (CLO), I do exactly what you said – I mix it into seed and give it straightaway.

Regarding the ban, I was speaking with Jean Painter a few months ago and she said exactly what you said – i.e. we desperately need new blood.

I believe some some breeders are working on that as we speak.

Thanks again for your reply.

Kind regards,

Michael,
Australia

As you will realise, I am aware of the Australian quest for size and the current ban in place on importing exhibition budgerigars, again, into your country.

A very long time has elapsed since the first group of 500 birds (the Henry George Syndicate) went through two quarantines, followed by eight similar syndicates.

Australia is now desperate to get fresh “blood” from the UK again, as can be imagined, as continual close breeding loses size.

I see that you have introduced cod liver oil (CLO) as recommended, but unlike the UK, where high temperatures are not common, Australia is “slightly” different.

Instead of mixing in CLO 24 hours in advance, I would advise that it is mixed into the seed mixture and fed immediately to the stock and any scattered seeds removed daily – if you can do that.

CLO is slow to go rancid compared to CLO emulsions – but even so, do be cautious.

Seed hoppers are useless if you are feeding CLO-treated seed.

Regarding my feeding and your intent to buy “The Challenge”, I suggest that you wait to read it in full – otherwise you are taking bits of this or that out of context, which can easily precipitate french moult unless certain guidelines are taken.

Gerald

First i want to thank you for this website and for the information you have on it – it’s amazing.

I’m a new breeder into English show budgies. It’s amazing what a big difference there is between breeding “normal” budgies (big good size) and the English size – as we call them here down under.

I do not know why is it – just need more energy or something else?

Anyway, i just started to use cod liver oil after I read your article 3 days ago (too soon to see a difference I guess),and I would like some information from you:

IF YOU COULD BE KIND AND EMAIL ME YOUR SEED MIX – THE NAME OF EVERY SEED THAT’S IN THE MIX PLEASE

I will be mailing you the price of THE CHALLENGE soon – I heard it’s great from Warren Wilson.

Kind regards – hope to hear from you soon.

M&M

I use calcium in the water and I also have zebra finches and already I have 3 chicks. The hen does stay in the nest. The other hen and the hen the cocks with now are sisters, and they both stayed in the nest only to come out when I’m checking the nest.

Thanks Megan

There are various reasons:

1 – He is too young or too old.
2 – The female will not accept him.
3 – The female, commonly, will stay in the nest box and will not mate on the rare occasions she emerges.
4 – Budgerigars have an approximate 11 day sperm “blank” period and if mating does take place in that period infertility results.
5 – Your husbandry and feeding input is incorrect in which case infertility is the result. Breeding birds need a high percentage of vitamins A & D ,and a source of iodine in very minute quanties in their diets, but be warned – twice as much as it says on the bottle does not mean it is twice as good. Be accurate relative to the dosage relative to the weights of the bird(s).

This year I was looking at the eggs and I don’t think they are fertile.

Is it that the cock bird is infertile or is there another reason?