Mating Parakeets

[lljdma06]

In addition, just because they're mating doesn't mean you'll get fertile eggs even if you get eggs. Case in point, Mr. and Mrs. Stumpy, my zebra finch pair in Miami, FL. Mr. Stumpy lost his foot to an accident, hence his name. Well, he's been married to Mrs. Stumpy for a little over a year (lovely ceremony, I sang at the wedding, bird seed was scattered, beautiful ). She has accepted him, despite his disability. They are also not related. Well, anyhooo, we have caught them doing the deed many, many, many times. It's like the honeymoon never ended for those two . We've also had eggs. Duds, every last one of them. Mr. Stumpy shoots blanks. We tried separating them so Mrs. Stumpy would have a break, didn't want to hurt her. She refused to eat in her new, lovely cage. We moved her back and perked up within hours and started eating again. They sleep together, eat together, groom each other, and basically do everything together. We now watch her very carefully and make sure she's fed well, and gets lots of calcium. We haven't seen eggs for a while, which is good. I really don't want them. Just in case, however, I did tons of research and can now handle a nest of zebra finches should the need arise. I'm prepared, but I don't think it'll happen. Like I said, Mr. Stumpy shoots blanks!

Still waiting for Wesley and Buttercup, red-factor canaries to have babies. These I do want to breed, and have researched like crazy. Still waiting. Beginning to think Buttercup is a Bob.

Now to be serious. Just because you have mating birds doesn't mean you'll get eggs, and the presence of eggs doesn't mean that they will be fertile. Parakeets are different from finches, but are birds nevertheless. If you suspect they are mating, I would feed them quality food and make sure the female, especially, is exposed to a good source of calcium to build the strength she'll need to produce the eggs and insure strength to her bones. One of the worst ways to watch a female die is by being egg-bound. I've never seen it, but I have heard that it is just aweful and very painful. Keep the cage away from drafts and make sure she has a place to go to be away from it all. I also agree that you should seriously research breeding before you encourage it in your birds and have another cage standing by incase it doesn't work out.

Baby birds aren't cute, period. They're featherless, fragile, very, very messy demanding little buggers that'll put a strain on you. If you're not ready to get up every 2-3 hours incase the parents decide NOT to feed their young, if you're not ready to pre-mix baby food, constantly watch for desease, watch for genetic defects, keep their cage absolutely spotless, band the offspring, find good homes for them, then breeding is not for you. It is tons of work and not always rewarding.

My speech is over. Thanks for reading.

llj

 

[blcknwitecuban]

i've had the female for 2 years and the male 4 one. i cot one from petco and the other from a smaller buisness. i've read a few books and have done internet research 2. they kiss all the time. any other info needed?

 

[RandomWiktor]

If you are asking if pine shavings are OK for nest material (no), asking if you should hand-rear (no), are demanding to know when you'll get eggs (you may never, or they may not be ferile), and you are asking if there is more that you need to know (yes), then you have not done a suitable amount of research to be breeding parakeets. Frankly, unless they are on a very high quality diet (not seed), are in ideal health (vet checked, not just observations), have no known genetic defects (seeing as they are from pet stores, I'm guessing you don't know about their lineage), and show proper nesting behaviors (the female hasn't used the box, so...), it probably isn't best to be encouraging them to breed as it could endanger both the mother and the chicks.

 

[MegTheFish]

Just because your two birds are showing mating behavoir towards each other doesn't mean you should breed them. Breeding takes lots of research beforehand, and isn't that easy, even though you've been told by some people it is. You run the risks of the female becoming egg-bind, or the parents rejecting the chicks, or the chicks not developing properly, etc. I myself have 7 budgies, and have a few pairs, but personaly I would not risk it, as I love them too much and would be upset if anything happened to them. They are also not breed-quality stock, and I don't believe in breeding pet store animals, IMO its the same as breeding a mutt, there are already too many of them homeless, don't contribute to it.

 

[blcknwitecuban]

ok. im hoping they dont mate which i dont think they are. i saw him on her bsck b4. if i could i would seperate them but i dont have the space or the $$$ 2 get another cage. im not asking or forcing 4 them 2 breed. i just think they are and i'd like 2 b prepared and know what 2 look 4. god

 

[Synirr]

If you don't provide a nest box for them anymore, chances are they will stop mating. The mating instinct is triggered by the presence of the nest box
If you do remove the nest box and she lays eggs on the bottom of the cage, it's probably best to just remove and dispose of them the day you see them, the chick will never develop inside so no need to feel bad about it.

Did you just want babies because you want tame birds? If so, it's probably easier to just work with the ones you have. Taming a bird and keeping it tame takes time and patience, but it's worth it for sure. Take them to an avian vet and have their wing feathers clipped so they can't fly, then take them out one-by-one every day and work with each of them for a few minutes. Take them to a separate room so they can't hear or see their mate when you have them out of the cage, that's best, then just handle them and let them walk around supervised so they can get used to you. Eventually they will learn to trust you