How to stop budgie breeding

[chocolatey]

Hello all! I have been struggling to keep my parakeets from breeding with each other for quite some time now, and I have resorted to separating them based on sex. I have three males and four females, and one pair in particular has been continuously breeding. The male of the pair is constantly mating with the female and harassing other females into mating with him. The other two somewhat bonded pairs do not seem as inclined to breed. I did not want to separate them since they all deeply love each other, but the other solutions I have tried have not worked. I have tried to make sure i’m not over feeding (they unfortunately eat seed because they refuse to eat if I try to feed them vegetables), limited hours uncovered, and regularly changed up the cage arrangement. There are also no dark areas and no places that are similar to a nest. Since this is the case, the eggs commonly fall onto the floor of the cage. They are currently separated, and the male of the closely bonded pair is very distressed. I am also unsure of how to handle their time spent out of the cage. Once they are out of the cage it is nearly impossible to get them back into being sorted. I would like to not fully move them into separate rooms since that would seem cruel, but I will if that is what is the best choice. I was wondering if anyone has any insight into the proper way to approach this or any suggestions. Thank you!

Also, certain people I have spoken to have said to just let them mate. However, I do not think this is the best choice for my birds’ health. The female in the closely bonded pair’s health has declined since this began. She is much skinnier, has lost feathers, and she even had a scare where she was briefly egg bound. I am not willing to endanger her anymore or end up with my other females in danger.

 

[Emma&pico]

@AussieBird

 

[Iluvbirds~]

Maybe try taking them to the vet to sort the problem out. Because, sometimes vets have treatments for these types of cases.

~The flock

 

[AussieBird]

If she's at risk then yes she needs to stay separated. He's with the other males? He's not alone so while he's distressed he should be fine. You shouldn't risk her health for his sake right now, she sounds like she needs a break and a chance to recover. Is she the only one laying?
Have you tried rearranging the room a bit if possible? Can you break up the out of cage times? Only let out one group at a time?

 

[chocolatey]

If she's at risk then yes she needs to stay separated. He's with the other males? He's not alone so while he's distressed he should be fine. You shouldn't risk her health for his sake right now, she sounds like she needs a break and a chance to recover. Is she the only one laying?
Have you tried rearranging the room a bit if possible? Can you break up the out of cage times? Only let out one group at a time?

This was very helpful thank you! She is the only one laying currently. I’ll try rearranging the room, and i’ll definitely break up the out of cage time. Thank you!

 

[Finchbreed]

My mother has been breeding Budgies for close on 60Yrs. When the birds show any sign of breeding and she does not want them too.
They are put into seperate avairies. Those that are determined to be together due to being bonded, are moved where they can not see each other.
This is particularly so if the hen has been laying and needs a rest. The hens health is paramount. The cock can talk to his mates and learn not to be so selfish.
Make sure that the hen/s have cuttlebone and or crushed shell off boiled eggs. Not ground to powder, just lightly crushed with a rolling pin.

 

[chocolatey]

My mother has been breeding Budgies for close on 60Yrs. When the birds show any sign of breeding and she does not want them too.
They are put into seperate avairies. Those that are determined to be together due to being bonded, are moved where they can not see each other.
This is particularly so if the hen has been laying and needs a rest. The hens health is paramount. The cock can talk to his mates and learn not to be so selfish.
Make sure that the hen/s have cuttlebone and or crushed shell off boiled eggs. Not ground to powder, just lightly crushed with a rolling pin.

Thank you so much!