Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: Good Morning Chrys, It is now spring and mating season for birds, my female budgies have been mating but not laying now they are out of season because their ceres have all turned back white. Do you know if they will go back into breeding condition before this nesting season ends or it doesn't matter what time of year they lay.

Cheryl
ANSWER: Hi, Cheryl.

Budgies can lay all year round if conditions are right.  I'm sure they will breed again before the year is over.  Budgies are usually very prolific breeders.  If they've mated, but didn't lay, then something must not be just right.  I'd need more details about the situation/setup, etc., before I could comment further.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I response to you needing more info. Each pair is housed separately, i have 3 pairs. I feed them on a mixed diet consisting of egg food, greens, brown rice, noodles and their seeds. The nest boxes are on the outside of the cage. They feed each other and everything and are very happy but just won't lay. There are housed outside, i am willing to do whatever it takes.  

Answer
Hi again, Cheryl.

Sounds like you are doing everything right.  If you have any substrate in the bottom of their nesting boxes, remove it.  Budgies don't like anything in the bottom of their nesting boxes.  Since they are housed outside, this might be the reason they aren't laying....could be too many threats around.  Birds usually won't lay in a location where they feel their offspring would be in danger.  You might need to bring them indoors.  It could also be they just need more time.  It takes about 10 days after mating for eggs to be produced.  If being housed outside is new for these birds, they may not be accustomed to being outside yet.

Trying to determine why a pair won't lay is often times a process of elimination in order to find a reason(s).  If bringing them indoors doesn't work, you'll just need to keep trying different things to see what works for your birds.  

Are your birds at least 12 months old?  Are you sure of their sexes?  You didn't mention if they have been going in/out of the nesting boxes at all.  There's a reason they aren't laying...just need to determine why.

Chrys