The Anticipation of Breeding Season

It's that time of year again. The time of year when the phrase "may your nest boxes and brooders be full" usually is true, and the time of year that most bird breeders relish. It's breeding season.

Even after years of hand feeding baby birds and watching little pink blobs turn into zebra finches, I still find bird breeding a fascinating hobby. There's a delight in watching a pair court each other, knowing that soon, little fluffy bundles of downy babies will romp in the nest box until pulled for hand feeding or left to fledge on their own. To look at a baby and wonder what kind of adult it will turn into, the joy remains the same regardless of species.

Still, for the beginning breeder, this is the time that also means lots of patience. In their exuberance, new breeders may actually prevent the very thing they want -- baby birds. Here's a few tips for someone beginning bird breeding to bear in mind during this time of the year.

1) Patience, patience, patience. For all but an experienced pair of birds, hourly checks of the nest box become frustrating and invasive. Learn to check your nest boxes once a day at the most. I also try to accustom my pairs to this by checking it once a day as soon as they're put together. I may not see anything interesting for a while, but the pairs become used to the lid opening and closing, as well as my presence.

2) Learn the breeding habits of your species. All breeding birds need special nutrition, such as extra calcium through egg food and cuttlebone. Some species of finch will not rear their young without live food, while others prefer fresh fruits and vegetables. Talking to experienced breeders helps.

3) Don't be discouraged. New pairs sometimes take two or three clutches to "get it right." If your birds don't succeed on their first attempt, they might on their second or third. While it is sad to watch, it is Mother Nature's way. Also, if you think about it, young birds are like teenagers, and not all are cut out for parenthood.

4) Keep good records. There is an article on the Cockatiel Society's homepage at Keeping Records You will want to know what breedings produced what chicks, especially if you're planning on showing. Also, it's very nice to be able to trace a bird's pedigree.

As my cockatiels sit on their first clutch of eggs, and I separate my zebra finches so that they, too, might breed, I try to remember my own words of wisdom, and I wait for the first babies of the year.

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