Expert: Kyle Lohr - 3/9/2009

Question
Hello, I have a few questions for you. The first is about breeding budgies. I've owned budgies since I was 10, and now I'd like to try breeding them. Both the male and female are over a year old, and the cage is big enough. I've caught the male feeding the female, so I know they're a pair. However, I just can't get them to breed. They have a nest box available, but the female hasn't so much as glanced at it. They also have a good diet including fruits and veggies, and I play a tape of other budgies singing to them daily.

My second question is about taming them. The male is 3 years old, and the female is a year and a half, and both are terrified of humans, and have been since I got them. I've been told that they are too old to be tamed, but I don't believe that. Can you give me some tips on taming them? They are both so afraid of humans that they fly to the back of the cage if I so much as open their doors to change their food...and could this fear be the reason they won't breed?

Answer
They will breed, just give them time. Breeding budgies take patience. As long as the nest box is present, they know its there, they will be considering breeding it.

As for taming them, its pretty simple. Just hold them everyday (even if they bite) for 10-15 minutes and they will eventually become tame. However, I would suggest you wait until after they have bred and hatched babies until you try and tame them. Invading there space all of a sudden could lead to them feeling its not safe enough to raise chicks.

Hope I helped!