It was once believed that the Budgerigar was a continuous breeder and that all was required for them to go to nest was seed, water and a nest box. Since those days we now know that our birds are in fact seasonal breeders and their sexual urges are held in check until they are stimulated by what is known as release factors. Between the seasons or cycles, the cock birds are near barren and the result of pairings during this period is clear eggs. It has been suggested that the reason why we are having poor breeding results when pairing at the end of November through to May or June is a result of our changing climate and seasonal differences, when compared to years gone by. It is however, my view that this is not the case at all but more likely to be associated with seasonal changes in our birds brought about by our own management techniques. The birdroom environment is often very little influenced by what is happening outside, with the use of heat and light and by the provision of a consistent and fulfilling diet throughout the year. This may have resulted in our stock being in different cycles within the aviary because it would be logical to assume that birds hatched on a particular date would come into season at a different time to those hatched on another date, especially in this so called, ideal environment that we have created.
From this we can conclude that throughout the year we will have birds in different seasonal conditions. There will be those that are moulting, those that are between events and others that are ready to breed and remember, this is at all times through the year. If, in your observation, this is so, then it would make sense to have no particular start or finish to the season, but to have pairs up at all times. One benefit of this would be for the smaller breeder who would have the potential for twice as many chicks, if his breeding cages were in constant use.
PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE I was intrigued to read comments with regards to using preventative medicine within the aviary. These remarks were spurred by a telephone call from a fancier who was checking on the dosage of Emtryl for the treatment of Trichomoniasis. Further questioning revealed that the fancier did not have any sick birds but was carrying out the treatment as a routine maintenance programme. The advise was to tell them not to adopt such practises as it was not in the interests of the birds.It is quite usual for those associated with hobby to give advice based on there own opinion and this I am sure is Gerald's stand on the subject however, I feel that I must also offer another point of view. It is a known fact that one of the major causes of death in captive budgerigars is through Trichomoniasis. With this knowledge I believe that we are taking a responsible attitude by providing an immunity for our stock by including preventative medicine within our management practices. Using an analogy, this is no different than the many thousands of people each year who have an anti-flu jab or who are vaccinated against certain diseases.