Birds breeding tips for newcomers by Zaheer Minhas

These are my own breeding experiences, the new generation is much more knowledgeable and they know more than us. The opportunity they got are rare even when we breed some 30 year back. But I still think we start with basics and than keep difficult breeds, the new comers starts with new mutations and learn by mistakes.

1. First thing keep in mind is selection of  breed. There are two types of fanciers one who keep parrots as hobby and other who keep for hobby and business both.

2. First cage than breed.
3. Management, I prefer to keep birds on the ground. However since mostly don't have space in ground do keep on first or second floor.

4. Direction of cage, The direction of sun is very important. The early sun rays are very important for the well being of your parrots. There is no substitute of direct sunlight.

5. For beginners I suggest to start with budgies, than cockatiels and love birds and than other breed of  parrots.
6. The dimension of cage is very important. For medium size parrot I suggest the depth should be 3 feet, Height 2 feet and 2 feet wide. For larger parrots depth should be at least 4 feet. I prefer depth as compare to width.

7. Nest box should be fix outside the cage. It has many benefits like easy inspection of young and eggs, have more space in the cage and bird don't get stress while checking the nest box. 

8. I advice two perches (Must be natural branches) and according to the grip of the feet of that breed. One perch must be near the entrance hole of the nest box and other should be below the nest box, so that when parents fly from bottom of the cage to their nest box it'll be very good for their exercise. 

9. Buy always young ones, keep them in flight cage and observe which male and female have liking for each other. These pair who select their own mate breed much better than to foceing them to make pairs.
10. In feed always provide different kind of seed. Daily vegetables, soaked pulses and fresh clean drinking water.

11. Must provide cuttle fish bone (Sumandri Jhag) and grit on daily basis. 

12. Egg food or bread with soaked milk must provide on daily basis. Until they lay eggs. You should start again when they hatch their babies.
13. There are now lot of new vitamins products are available in the market. Birdsplanet lahore is the main source of these vitamins and minerals. 

14. Patience is the key to success. Don't get panic if they don't breed early.Let them settle down there. 
15. You must and I repeat must visit your parrots on daily basis. This is the key to success of any breeder. Don't say I will check next day or next week or lazy to visit your birds. I swear this is the only key to success. 

16. Holding power is key to success in selling. Wait for the right buyer. If you cannot hold your birds you cannot sale your birds on good price.

17. Must have a flight cage. It should be according to the size available with you, But should be 6 feet high, 4 feet wide and 6 feet depth. Must keep all your parrots while not breeding or keep your young ones there. This will give them strength and will stimulate them to fly. A flight is must for every fancier.
18. Parrots like routines, so they will wait when you give them soaked seed, fruits or vegetables. Don't disappoint them. 

19.Keep what ever breed you like. Don't follow others or market demand., it changes every year or even everyday. So stick to one breed only.
20. Must keep one breed of parrot and specialize in that breed. Keep every color of that breed available or you can afford to keep.
21. Keep minimum birds you can handle, Believe me if you keep 100 pairs you will get result of 10 pairs and when you keep 10 pairs you will get result of 100 pairs. If you Don't believe me than try this.
22.Use common sense, If you observe daily you will learn many new things while sitting in front of your cage. Observe their activities, Male is active, active males normally don't sit on one branch, they move around, they fly from one perch to another. Observe that they don't bully the female or chase her too much that she exhausted and comes into stress.

23.Make it habit to be patient with your birds. Don't unnecessary check their nest box or change the cages. Let them settle down, every individual bird have own likes and dislike, Observe them and correct whatever you doing wrong. 

24. Learn from your seniors, You can read 1000 books on swimming, But unless you don't jump into the water you can't swim. So talk to your seniors, who they keep, what they feed, their cages, place, feed, vitamins. Learn from them and also give them respect. 

25. Keep minimum expectation from other fellow breeders. Don't try to be no one, try to be best breeder. 

26. Help others, give them true advice when needed, God will give you more. Believe me share the things with others and God will reward you. 

27. Don't get jealous with fellow breeders. Every rise have fall. 

28. Don't get disheartened with the failures. Believe me becoming a breeder is not a joke. You have to fight with different odds. Sometimes death of male or female in breeding seasons, death of chicks, infertility, down price. Any thing happens to any breeder. So you have to motivate yourself, don't panic or disheartened and try try again.
29. Last but not least keep what ever you like. Don't follow others and market demand. If you are happy to keep budgies don't try to keep macaws. Birds are not money making machines. Enjoy breeding them.

 

About Zaheer Minhas

Zaheer Minhas is one of the famous Bird Fancier from Lahore, Pakistan. He kept different types of birds for the last 35 years. Breeding birds is his passion, he kept Finches, Doves, Parrots, Fancy Pigeons and Ground Birds. His main passion is breeding and keeping fancy pigeons. But he also likes to keep Grass Parrots specially Red Rumps.