removing male from cage

Question
QUESTION: Hi, This is my first experience in raising budgies.  I don't want my female to lay more eggs as she's had two rounds already and she's approximately 6 yrs. old.  So, when the 2nd round of babies were born and got to be approximately 4 wks. old they started eating on their own and I then took the male out of the cage to prevent more breeding.  How long do I need to keep the male out of the cage?  Forever?

I feel it's cruel to seperate them forever although I've got the male in a cage next to the females.



ANSWER: Hello Robin,

My suggestion would be to remove the male and the nest box. Do not leave the nest box in the cage. Keep it out until you decide to breed again. Leave the male out for about 1-3 weeks. But. i would put the babies with the male and leave the female to herself. She needs time to recover and get her strength back. This is assuming the babies can eat by themselves. The father will probably feed the babies if they need help. So, take the box, the male, and the babies out. Leave the male and the babies next to the female. Once the female looks like she has gotten her strength back, you can reunite her with the rest of the birds. But she needs some time to rest!

Hope this helps!
Thank you for the question!
Any other questions or if you need more info feel free to ask and don't forget to rate the answer!

Calyopea

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've got the female all by herself in a smaller cage next to the larger cage with the male and babies.  So, when 3 wks. have passed do you think I can reunite the mother with the father again and they won't make babies again?  Because I don't want them to make babies again, ever.
I'll look forward to your thoughts and opinions.

Sincerely,

Robin

Answer
Hello Robin,

3 weeks should give the female a chance to recover. But, if she doesn't look fully recovered and "ready" to go back with the rest, then leave her by herself for another week or so. If you put the male and female together again, their is no guarantee that they will never have babies again. But, if you have them apart for a little then hopefully they won't breed for a little while.

Hope this helps!
Thank you for the question!
Any other questions or if you need more info feel free to ask and don't forget to rate the answer!

Calyopea