Site Menu

A Guide To The Rules Of Budgerigar Management

Terry Pilkington

 by Terry Pilkington

  1. Don't let breeding pairs feed too many chicks. If there are more than four babies in a nest, transfer any over and above this number to foster parents. Single babies often do not do so well. If there is only one chick in the nest, add two or three from other pairs, or move the singleton to a pair with a small number of babies of their own.
  2. Don't leave the lights on so late in the evening that breeding pairs get very little sleep. Use a time clock so that the lights can be switched on and off. Program the clock so that it switches the lights on at approximately 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. During the dull days of winter it is best if a sensor is also fitted, then the lights can go on and off according to the amount of light in the birdroom.
  3. Don't change your birds diet midway through a breeding season. If you wish to experiment with the food you give to your budgerigars, do so at other times of the year. Use the period between the end of one breeding season and the start of the next to try out different forms of soft food. Once the breeding season is underway, give the same food the whole time. A sudden change could mean the loss of a nest of babies because the parents did not like the new food given to them.
  4. Birds with Bad Features

    Don't keep young barheads showing a very narrow head and pinched face and also if they are very small compared with you other barheads. You can safely sell these off as pets as they will never make the grade as top class show birds, or for that matter if you want to upgrade your stud, do not use them for breeding purposes. On any breeding system you should always cull ruthlessly each year the birds with bad faults to try to upgrade your overall stock. I know it is easier said than done as you are always fighting against nature in what we are trying to produce. You have to draw the line somewhere if you are to attain success on the show bench.


Templates in Time