New to Galah breeding.

[dynamite]

Hi all.
I am new to galah breeding, i do have experience in breeding and h/r of ringnecks as well as training and care for birds of all shapes and sizes from canaries to cockys.

what i'm needing ad vice for in this early stage is how big a nest box do i need? i have seen some people talk about horizontal, some about vertical, i would love to use the "natural" hollow log method but i just don't think my aviary would support the weight.

2nd is nesting material. breeding in NZ i used rimu shavings (native timber that is a hardwood so never been treated) i just filled my boxes to the hole and let the hen sort out how deep she wanted it.
whats a good material to use in aussie? i didn't think about getting sum fresh gum branches and letting them use the leaves to line their own nest, but worry there might be another natural thing they would use that i wouldn't be able to easily provide.

[avinet]

Galahs are not that fussy about their nest box - if they want to breed they will make do with whatever is around. However the best size nest box is probably around 75 cm to 90 cm deep and 30 cm square. If possible use a natural hollow branch as the entrance spout. Put about 10 to 15 cm pine shavings on the bottom and very importantly give them fresh eucalypt branches every day once they go start working the nest box. They will take leaves into the box to cover the bottom, and this seems to provide an important trigger to the breeding cycle.

cheers,

Mike

[hallsie]

Hi Mike,

Also after some advice, I am new to breeding Galah's also, I have had them for years as pets but in March this year became the owner of a "proven pair" of Kuhli Galahs, they are beautiful.

I was wondering if you could give me some indicators that I can look for to give me an idea tey are ready to do the nasty and re-produce. Lately I have noticed the male has been getting a bit louder and holding his wings out so I started adding fresh gum leaves in, they have yet to start lining the box.

They are both starting to eat a little more and I read somewhere that is an indicator also.

Can you offer any advice?

Thanks heaps

[avinet]

Hi Hallsie and welcome to the Forum

kuhli Galahs are relatively rare in aviculture - and I might add for those who are not familiar with the Galah subspecies that the kuhli subspecies is the one found in the Northern Territory into the northern tip of WA. It is significantly smaller than the normally seen varieties as well as lighter in colour. A good account of all three subspecies of Galah is at members.westnet.com.au/yowerweena/galah.html - with photos. That page is by John McGrath - one of Australia's best cockatoo breeders.

He notes that for him (outside of Canberra) kuhli's begin breeding in early July, so your pair should be getting interested now and starting to work over the nest box. The definitive sign is the eucalypt leaves being carried into the nest to line it, so keep an eye out for that happening. I would work on the assumption that something will happen soon and make sure the food is up to scratch for them - lots of fresh food - and I am a big fan of sprouted seed leading into breeding season. Also make sure there is a good calcium source - shell grit, cuttlebone and maybe a calcium supplement in the drinking water if they are not eating pellets.

Good luck with them, let us know how they go

cheers,

Mike

[hallsie]

Mike,

Thanks very much, it certainly looks like there will be some action at the station some time soon, I hung some fresh leaves this afternoon and they were right onto them, picking at them and sometimes dropping them but I did see one of them either get very close to or did stick their head in the box, I will replace the leaves tomorrow and check to see if they started lining it. Will it annoy them if I keep taking a look? how often should I look?

I have been adding Calcium and Vitamin supplements into the drinking water, they have fresh cuttle as well to grind. I also have them wormed once every 3 months.

I viewed a tutorial on youtube on seed sprouting and have a few jugs soaking now, will get them in there ASAP for them. They also feed on a good fruit and seed mix as well as fresh cut fruit on a regular basis. Very much looking forward to some healthy young babies in the near future

I might setup the GoPro in the cage tomorrow on a time lapse and see if I can catch any action.

[Nymphicus]

I can't help with answers to your questions hallsie, but just wanted to welcome you to the forum and say I'll be following this thread with interest.

[avinet]

Jun 29, 2013 22:16:38 GMT 10 hallsie said:

Mike,

Will it annoy them if I keep taking a look? how often should I look?

........

I viewed a tutorial on youtube on seed sprouting and have a few jugs soaking now, will get them in there ASAP for them. They also feed on a good fruit and seed mix as well as fresh cut fruit on a regular basis. Very much looking forward to some healthy young babies in the near future

The secret to looking in parrot nest boxes is to do it every day or never! If you look every day, even before they start going into the box then they accept it as part of life and don't worry but if you suddenly start looking half way through incubation or only when babies are in the nest they can sometimes panic.

I have an article about sprouting at www.scas.org.au/html/how_to_sprout_seed.html - when I had my pet shop we sprouted a colander of seed daily using that method - for 15 years - without a problem.

cheers,

Mike

[hallsie]

Thanks very much Mike, will try your sprouting guide!! looks alot easier.

Bit of news, checked the box today and we have a leaf, thats right, just one, but I guess it means we could be a go soon!!

[hallsie]

She seems to be getting fatter, alot of interest in the box now too

i.imgur.com/xmsmpYz.jpg