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Hi guys, give me a hand if you can. I've had a pair of Timneh Greys (age 16/17 years, proven for previous) since June, they've gotten comfortable in their surroundings but still have not bred for me. They have a sun light, nest box (tall but not long) with pine shavings, I feed them Zupreen with a vitamin E supplement. They have restricted view from the rest of the aviary, except one pair of Macaw. What am I doing wrong guys? If you have ANY ideas, please let me know.

Thanks much,


Beth

beth_dunlap@hotmail.com

If parrots reproduced like chickens, they'd be priced like chickens, and we might be having them for dinner.
1. I noticed that you are in Alaska, so I have no clue about breeding practices where you are.
2. 6 months is not a long time to wait, and that was from summer through winter. What were you expecting? You might get lucky this spring.
3. "proven" doesn't mean a thing a lots of times, when you are buying something new to you and don't really know the background.
4. I really don't know the complete diet that you are feeding, cage size, location, etc. Since you mentioned the brand name, I might respond that it is my least favorite brand. If I remember correctly, it's puffed pellets that taste and crunch like sweet rice krispies.
5. I hope that you get a more positive response from someone else. I also wish that you had done your homework first.

Well I was just looking for some pointers, if that comes in insults, so be it I guess. I'm assuming you don't want to help, but if I'm wrong... what would you reccomend feeding your breeding birds? My breeding practices are what I've read about (yep, homework), basically a good pelleted diet with daily fruits/veggies, privacy and a nest box with pine. They have a cube cage, 4x4 with a nest box 1 1/2 foot high by 1 foot long. Do yours like a boot box? I've heard good things about them. If you think all I need is to wait longer, that's okay, I can totally live with that. Just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong. Figured I'd make sure with something who's had more experience.


Beth

Check out these threads:

viewtopic.php?t=19439

viewtopic.php?t=45921

It ended suddenly and people stopped responding, but it does have some useful tips in it. Also, check out this forum:

http://www.anafricangrey.ca/forum

Warning: When I first joined that forum, the members were a tad rude when I said I was looking for breeding tips. When you post that you're looking for tips, people assume you're not experienced and that you are just jumping into it. I have to work to get them to understand that I've been breeding for a while and I have the experience. So don't take it personally, some "old school" breeders are just that way.

Just wait it out. I have my pair for 6 months before they started working the box and now I've had them almost a year and they are still working the box. Greys are one of the most finicky species and it takes a lot of work and a lot of patience, ust like with all other species. Make sure you are giving them plenty of full-spectrum lighting (Light bulb CRI above 80). It's hard being so far North, but you can get light fixtures and sunlight bulbs to help.

Lots of fresh, warm foods. Beans, rice, bread, sprouts, veggies, hard boiled eggs, etc. Try feeding this more that the pellets. You could even add a calcium and vitamin d supplement. Try Calcium Care by Phoenix Unlimited. Vitamin E is good, but its mostly used for skin nad feather care.

Grey breeding season begins roughly in February of each year and last through early spring. Some breeders are lucky and have two clutches a year. They like being around other African species, such as other greys and poicephalus. That's why many people who breed greys breed only Africans.

Good Luck!

I think what makes a good breeder is the willingness to change your practices to the individuality of the flock and I need new ideas to do that, so thank you from me and my birds, Kerrie.


Beth

Hi Beth there is a site to go to to get breed supplies. WWW.Birds2grow.com They have things I use. Breeding Aid . It will help the pair.Helps the female and the male and Calcivet. Its a liquid calcium.Its to help reduce egg binding and build stronger eggs Look for Help for breeding birds to find it. Good Luck sometimes it takes a pair awhile to settle in. In the past Ive put in another nest box. Bigger or a different shape. To see if that would make a difference. and it did.Ive never breed greys so I cant help there. But Ive breed Macaws, senegals amazons throught the years. Im done breeding now. To much work but it was fun. Mark

Please compare your 2 posts. In your initial post, there was not enough information for anyone to know exactly about the facilities you had and what your specific practices were, and there was enough information missing, that someone who really wanted to help you would have to write a book !
Except that the books have already been printed, and there is a lot of information already available. I'm glad that other people were more sympathetic. There are still 2 points to cover:
1. What specific information do you have about the birds being "a proven pair."
2. Depending on the nature of your macaws, and the temperament of your grays, this might be the deciding factor for them breeding successfully.

a quick P.S.
Go easy on the calcium supplements, especially the products that are either added to the water, or sprinkled on the food. The birds will satisfy their own needs, when necessary, with solid products . There is divided opinion about doggie biscuits. Save the other supplements for specific times, such as the when the hen is actually laying.
The other issue that we take for granted (and sometimes birds don't get enough of...and again we are only talking about small quantities) is sodium. Adequate sources are: whole grain bread, celery, and a limited amount of cheese treats. The pelleted diets sort of cover the variety of mineral needs.