birds not breeding

17 Sep 2010, 19:53

Hi , I have had a pair of orange breasted waxbills and a pair of cordon bleus for 2 years they make nests lay eggs but nothing happens. Do you think they are infertile? They are in a aviary 8ft by 6ft with 2 pairs of red parrot finches. The red faced parrot finches have packed the nest boxes with so much grass but no eggs. Does anyone have any ideas why they are not breeding. I feed them different seeds, mealy worms, egg and biscuit, cucumbers, corn and fresh grasses.

17 Sep 2010, 20:12

It's only just spring it may still happen.Fat around the ovaries can cause sterility. Old age can also be an issue.

17 Sep 2010, 21:56

It;s an unfortubnate truth that sometimes you purchase sombody else's problem. Do you know you bird's history? In my limited experience low male fertility can be a result of sickness, inbreeding and old age. Keep on persisting and he won't always fire blanks then with the progeny you can rule out old age and if you get an unrelated mate then that rules out inbreeding but if it's a genetic problem then hopefully it won't be dominant and outcrossing will mask it.

18 Sep 2010, 00:39

An Austerity diet is very important, too much good food
Is bad.

Breeding Canaries can teach a finch breeder so much

18 Sep 2010, 08:42

What Greg H said , very important to know the birds history . This is where getting to know a few good breeders comes in handy.
Biggest turn off when sourcing birds for me is when a breeder says " yes Ive got hundreds down the back " how the heck does he know whos from whom.?

18 Sep 2010, 10:10

If you have had them that long and they may be three times that age.It maybe time to move them on.As always good breeders when selling older breeding stock, should be telling the new owner the age and history of the birds,And if they are past three seasons,I beleive they should be selling them at a discounted to heavily discounted price.

18 Sep 2010, 21:20

Thanks everyone for your advice. I thought giving them different foods was good for them? What should I be feeding them for breeding? It does not worry me if the birds don't breed as I hate to sell or give the babies away. I just love having them for the enjoyment of watching them.

18 Sep 2010, 23:10

Hi lyn how are you going? Sorry to say this even tho i know you will be realy happy. But your young yellow headed female painted is feeding young in her tea tree nest!!

She bred with my yellow headed boy. Shes also looking great and always has...will keep you posted. What about your stars and painteds lyn they breeding yet?

Im sure you will be ok youve got some great aviaries and you look after your birds very very well. I rekon lyn maybe pull there food to very basic stuff for maybe 1 month or 2 months then hit erm with sprouted seed pak choy cucumber and mealies and see how you fair. Also get your self some moxidectin lynn you never know might have birds with worms or anything...wouldnt be your fault it just happens when ever your feeding live food or fresh grasses and greens.

m sure some of my birds werent doing anything becuz they had a few niggles...treated them and soon after they bred seemed to be what ever was wrong was just holding them back. I could be wrong but just some advice.

Also lynn please let me know if you ever want a hand with your birds or if you ever need anything. More then glad to help you!

Sorry i havent kept in contact much also been realy busy working and unfortunatly strugling to find time to check or do anyhting for my birds. Will try and get you some pics
take care lynn let me know if i can help.

19 Sep 2010, 18:22

Thanks Ben,
I'm glad the female painted has bred already. I have been away for a month and my kids came and looked after the birds, they only had seed and grit and cucumber nothing else. As you saw I only have 1 pair of cordons and orange breasted 2 pairs of red faced, the red faced parrot finches have packed the nest boxes with grasses but no eggs. I think maybe I am going into the aviary to much I am a bit fanatical about cleaning my aviary I maybe disturbing them to much.I am pretty sure they were not that old when I got them and the parrot finches I bred and got them a mate each. In the other aviary there are 4 stars and now 3 pairs of painted I was up at Penrith to-day and called into Ace Colony at Wentworthville so many birds in the cages a big range. I bought a male yellow painted for $35 one pair bred the first year and had 3 clutches so now that spring is here hopefully they will. I must admit I have not wormed them very much so will take your advice and do that. I will certainly get into touch with you if I need any help thanks again Ben good to hear from you. Cheers Lyn