Aggression is a very common, yet most often it is an easily avoided problem when breeding budgies. Here are some of the common signs that you can watch out for to avoid this problem before it happens, and what to do if you see your pair begins being aggressive.

Contrary to some peoples belief, a budgies aggression toward its chicks or their mate is really not meant to be mean as far as the birds are concerned. Instinct is the key factor in these cases, and the birds are only acting on their hormones and the drives that these hormones cause.

In Australia where budgies are native, there is only a very short period of time where there is enough food and water supplies to raise healthy chicks. As a result, budgies raise their clutches as quickly and closely as possible during these times.

Once the oldest chicks are nearing the age of leaving the nest (4 + weeks) the hen will naturally begin a new laying cycle, so that by the time the previous clutch is ready to leave the nest and be taken care of by the cock, she can begin incubating a new clutch as quickly as possible.

In our homes there is also the added problem of limited space. Attacks can easily be avoided when there is enough space to get away, but within the confines of a cage there is a limited amount of space and the chances of aggression are much higher. Especially is this the case if you do not have an appropriate sized cage for your pair and their chicks in the first place.

There are a number of behavior signs if you are observant that you can watch out for long before there is a real attack, so please be aware of what they are ahead of time so as to avoid a serious one.

Mating is one of the first things to watch out for. Most pairs stop mating after all of the eggs of the clutch are laid and during incubation, and after while in the process of feeding young chicks. Once the chicks are 2-3 weeks old though, mating is one sign that the hen is beginning a laying cycle and a new clutch is on your pairs horizon.

Aggression toward the chicks is another sign. This will often start out more subtle and increase if not stopped and can range from pecking, to feather plucking and full out bloody attacks. The increased hormone levels of a new laying cycle can, and often does, cause aggression toward existing chicks who are in the nest box or breeding cage, and removing them from harms way is the only way to keep them safe in these instances. 

When the hen starts spending more time in the next box this is definitely a big warning sign. Once the chicks are 2-3 weeks old most hens stop spending all of their time in the nest box, only going in to feed and check on the chicks. If you notice your hen starting to spend more time in the box she is planning another clutch.

Limiting high protein foods, day light hours and putting the hen in a new cage once the chicks are 3 weeks old will help to throw your pair out of breeding mode and prevent another clutch all together.  Once the chicks are nearing the 3 week mark in age you can reduce the day light hours of your pair to 8 or so to discourage them.

After the chicks have fledged removing the nest box is an obvious thing to do. Often times thought they will try to start another clutch before the previous one is ready to leave the nest or be separated from them unless you remove the hen before this happens.

If your hen lays an egg or two on the floor after this foster them to another pair if possible, or if not dispose of them before she can start the incubation process. While it is not ideal to dispose of them, but you must choose the lesser of two evils in this situation and the eggs will not begin to develop unless incubated. 

By letting a pair raise another clutch exhausted you not only run the risk of the chicks they produce being weak and dying, but your pair themselves are in danger if becoming sick or dying from the exhaustion. They will quite literally breed themselves to death, and you need to think of their health and well being first in this situation

There is not time to waste if you see the chicks being abused! Usually when one of the parents are abusing the chicks it is from wanting to start a new clutch. Most often it is the hen that begins starting to eliminate the chicks and the male soon follows, feeding off her behavior and the desire to mate again.

If the chicks are 3 weeks or older removing the female is the best course of action. Putting her in another room out of earshot and sight is usually all that is needed to calm the male and for him to finish raising and weaning the chicks safely. 

I have never had a male be aggressive toward a chick without the female with him, 99% of the time the female is the instigator of the aggression. If the chicks are 2 weeks or younger removing the female is still the most logical decision, but some 

supplemental hand feedings might be needed if the male does not willingly go in the nest box right away. There is no telling when this might happen, so again be sure you know how to hand feed at any time. In either case, put plenty of extra food for the male to easily access to help wean the chicks. Placing some sprays of millet in the next box if you have not already done so is also a good idea (make sure they to not become dirty, as they can get moldy quickly) so the chicks can begin learning how to crack seed on their own. 


Once the chicks are out of the nest box, weaned and ready to be separated from the father you can put the hen back with her mate.