upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I've had a male and female Budgie in the same cage for about 8 mos now. Last couple of days, she has really been whittling down the cuttle bone and mineral block. Are there babies in our future? Also, how long from the time they mate till she starts laying? Thank you for any information.

I've not bred budgies in too long to give answers to your questions, but am surprised that you have birds besides your macaw Will they all be going OTR with you? I guess so, unless you have someone there at home tending the smaller ones in your absences. Okay. Just thinking aloud.

Nooo, they won't be going with, if we do decide to take Lilly. Neighbor guy has 2 Cockatoos and loves to come over and bird/dog/fish sit

Chewing up the cuttlebone and/or mineral block can be a sign she is thinking about going to nest, there is no general rule as to how many days before she will start laying, I have had a hen totally tear into a cuttle bone just as fast as I could put them in the cage, but has never laid an egg. You will know within a couple days when she is ready to lay, her back will develope a slight hump in it, her tail will bob more, her poop will become more liquified, when you see this, it is probably a good sign she will lay soon, BUT, even that is not a for sure thing, only a guidleline. Also, as a rule of thumb, a hens cere, will turn a dark chocholate brown when she is in condition, also, not always the case, I have 3 hens right now, that do not have any of the signs that I just mentioned, but all have 4-8 fertile eggs! (although they did get a slight hump in the back before they layed, it is kind of a saddle for the cock) Hope this helps, good luck, keep us posted!

Dan
www.bluwillowfarm.com

Thanks for the information Dan, nice website!! Your Bourke Parakeets are gorgeous! I'm very familiar with Appleton, WI, being from Rockford, Il Probably a good thing I don't still live there, I'd be checking out your Green Cheek Conures. Been doing some research on them to see if they would fit in with the flock we already have.

Do you have nest box set up? When they start hopping in & out of the nest box that will be a sure sign