Budgie Breeding Cages/Cabinets

If you’re looking to breed budgerigars, dedicated breeding cages or cabinets can make the process much easier and more organized. Budgie breeding cages are specialised cages designed to house a bonded pair of budgerigars, providing a secure and safe environment for the pair to raise their young. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of using individual cabinets, and provide tips for choosing the right one.

Benefits of Using a Budgie Breeding Cages

Individual budgie breeding cages offer several benefits for breeders:

1. Organisation: A breeding cage allows you to keep breeding pairs in a designated space, making it easier to keep track of each bird and their offspring when compared with colony breeding, where the parent can be any number of birds in the aviary.
2. Health: Maintained correctly, individual cages provide a clean and well-ventilated environment, reducing the risk of illness and disease among your budgerigars.
3. Safety: A breeding cabinet helps to protect your budgerigars from predators and other household pets that may pose a threat. It also prevents squabbling that may occur in a colony breeding situation.
4. Productivity: A breeding cabinet can encourage your budgies to breed by providing a safe and comfortable space to raise their young.

Choosing a Budgie Breeding Cage That Works

When choosing breeding cages for budgies, consider the following factors:

1. Size: Each breeding pair should have its own compartment measuring at least 60 cm wide x 45 cm deep, x 45 cm high). The United Bird Society of South Australia (UBSSA) provides guidelines in SA for cage sizes for captive birds. Larger breeding cages for budgies provide more opportunity for budgies to fly between the perches. To that end, they may remain fitter during the stressors of the breeding process.
2. Material: Breeding cabinets can be made of wood, metal, or can be completely constructed of wire. Wood cabinets provide good insulation but can be difficult to clean, while metal cabinets are easy to clean but may not provide as much insulation. Wire cabinets provide great air flow between cages, and support the gregarious nature of budgerigars, but can be susceptible to drafts.
3. Design: One can design breeding cages to stack vertically or arrange them horizontally. To that end, vertical cabinets are a good choice for small spaces. In contrast, horizontal cabinets are easier to access for cleaning and maintenance.
4. Accessories: Look for breeding cages that come with nesting boxes and perches. One should make nesting boxes of wood with an opening measuring approximately 8 cm in diameter. Perches constructed of natural wood with a rough finish allow birds to grip onto them while mating.

Conclusion

A budgerigar breeding cabinet can provide a safe and organised space to begin your pairing adventure. When choosing an individual breeding cage for budgies, consider the size, material, design, and accessories. With the right breeding setup, you can create a healthy environment for your birds to breed and raise their young.