The Basic Breeding Supplies You Will Need From Start To Finish
You have a pair in mind that you want to breed. Now, what do you need to make sure the breeding process goes as smoothly as possible? Here I will cover the basics you will need for one pair of budgies.
I have also included a few extras that although they might not be considered necessary by some can save many birds when they are kept on hand.
A Minimum Of 3 Breeding Cages That Can Accommodate At Least 10 Budgies Between Them
Why 3 breeding cages even if you have just one pair? Let’s consider some of the things that will come up during the breeding process of one pair to help you understand why this number is a minimum and a real need.
Cage 1- You will need one cage to set your pair up in. This will be the cage you attach your nest box to and where your pair will actually raise their chicks.
Cage 2- You will need another cage to move the chicks into once they are fully weaned. This is especially the case if you are planning on letting your pair have two clutches in a row as leaving them with a breeding pair is just asking for their injury and death when they cannot escape
Cage 3- It is not at all unusual for a hen to become very hormonal when she wants to start another clutch as the chicks reach the 3 week age mark. When this happens you will need another cage to move her to while the cock finishes raising and weaning the chicks in the breeding cage. In addition, if you do not want her to breed herself to death you will need to keep her and the cock separate until they both come out of breeding condition where they can be away from their chicks.
The same can be true of a cock when he still wants to breed. Many cocks will try to mate with their chicks when they do not have access to a mature hen, and for the chick’s emotional well-being they need a safe cage where they can be away from his advances.
So as you can see, you can easily need 3 cages at the same time during any one breeding season. A cage for the male, a cage for the female and one for the chicks. This is assuming that you will be able to immediately re-home the chicks as soon as they are ready, and that your cages are large enough to accommodate at least 8 birds at a time since a clutch can have that many chicks.
3 Water Bottles Minimum
Each of your cages will naturally need at least 1 water bottle. If you will have a number of chicks together an extra bottle or two is always a good idea.
9 Food Cups Minimum
Again this might seem like a lot but again let’s think of all the things you will be feeding your pair on a daily basis.
You will generally need at least 3 food cups for each breeding cage. 1 or 2 for seed and pellets, one for fresh vegetables and unless you want to be washing dishes a number of times a day, another cup for egg food, sprouted seed etc.
Personally I keep a double set of food dishes for each cage so I have time to properly clean and disinfect each set between uses. It is so nice to have a set of clean cups when needed!
6 Perches Minimum You will need at least 2 perches per cage so your budgies will have something to fly back and forth between. Breeding pairs need as much exercise as they can get as do the chicks while they learn to perch and fly.
1 Nest Box Minimum
It is a personal choice as to whether you choose to use a wooden or plastic nest box. I personally love plastic boxes as they are so incredibly easy to clean when compared to wood, and they can last for countless years if cared for properly.
Regardless of what box you choose there are a number of things you want to look for. Nearly every hen will prefer a rectangular shaped box over a square one so if at all possible look for a rectangle. Make sure the box has an appropriate concave that it is easy to clean. with plenty of traction. A lid that opens from the top is much better than one that opens from the side as you will not need to worry about eggs or chicks falling out when you open it, and a perch on the outside of the box is always appreciated by the pair.
If your box does not have a removable liner or bottom you might want to have two boxes per pair so one can be washed, dried and ready to go for each cleaning.
Nesting Material
You will need some form of nesting material to absorb the chicks droppings while they are in the nest. Acceptable forms of nesting material include aspen shavings, pine shavings, and carefresh bedding.
Cuttlebone and Mineral Block
Your pair will need a constant supply of calcium as well as a mineral source. The easiest way to supply these things is with a cuttlebone and mineral block.
Hand Feeding Supplies
You will need the following supplies on hand before the chicks start to hatch as well. When breeding you need to always be prepared to step in and hand-feed the chicks at any time, and especially so if you will not have more than one pair breeding at the same time with the option to foster chicks if needed:
A brooder. A gram scale to weigh the chicks. A syringe and/or a hand feeding spoon. Hand feeding formula. A formula thermometer.
Additional Supplies I Always Keep On Hand
Crop needles and syringes A pro-biotic A liquid calcium supplement Bird safe disinfectant A humidifier Ivermecitin. Or another mite/parasite preventative. Toys for the pair and babies to play with when they are not breeding Closed bands to band the chicks Band cutters. In case a band needs to be removed immediately. A heat lamp A spray bottle. To mist your pair, as well as the nest box if needed. Zip ties to keep doors open or closed securely as needed.
