Pairing advice

[sheyd]

Hi all

Wondering how long I should give a pair to be able to successfully bond before breeding season fully commences. I don't have a lot of time left to find suitable mates, should the one I chose be undesirable to the hen.

Stats: on day zero- mature cock put in with mature hen- on the first night she let him know that she wasn't happy by pulling his tail feathers and guarding the food from him.
First day: Cock was displaying and talking to hen who showed zero interest in his antics.
Second day: Cock gave up trying to impress on her, and started talking to his shadow in the corner instead.
Third day: Cock tries to eat with hen from same dish- hen allows sometimes and cock is cautious.
Fourth day: Cock tries to be near hen, but she pins her eyes and lets him know that it's not okay. Cock often resorts to a corner and chats to himself.
Fifth day (today): cock tries to join in eating or perching with the hen sometime she allows and sometimes she does not. Cock got tail feathers grabbed when she did not allow.

Does this sound on track?

Also, does it matter in what direction the nest box is facing (facing west at the moment, but have heard to face it north or north-east or east from favorable to least - don't know how true that is though).
How many branches should be in a breeding setup- because maybe I'm thinking I have too many as its giving them too many options to decide to be away from each other, rather than encouraging them to try to be together?

Sorry about all the q's I want to try and get it right the first time
Cheers

[Ring0Neck]

Hi Shey,

I was waiting for Molossus to reply as he is great at these things.

I will start the conv. with these comments:

Sorry about all the q's I want to try and get it right the first time

Behaviour of your hen is as expected and could've been worse because:

During breeding season you should not introduce the male into the hen's den (cage)
As you can imagine she rules in her palace and he is seen as an intruder so the male did not get a fair start being the underdog from the start.

More to follow, short of time sorry. hope others will chip in.

[JonoH]

Shady hi,
sounds like you are on track . the hen is an old hat now and is typically displaying her dominance. the cock seems to be making some progress so give them some more time to bond. if the couple is your best option then keep the pair in isolation to allow the hen to realise her options are limited. she will he ok. if she does go after the cock place a second cock to join the couple. in a few days the bonded pair will gang up on the ousted suitor. this will keep the focus divided in case u have a basher in her.

I had great sucess by doing this - i had a pair that were showing no interest at all at going down so i introduced another male and within a day the original pair were in the nesting box! - Amazing what a little competition does!

[sheyd]

sixth day: hen and cock eat together on more than a few occasions and I caught them both perched on top of the nesting box.
7th day (this morning): saw cock displaying to hen, but that quickly stopped when he noticed me- also saw hen venture into box albeit only quickly in and out.

Ben- didn't realize it was a late pairing- will def do as Lee says and repair in the molt next time.
Lee- will def keep those options in mind if things don't work out.
Cheers for your advice- it is very much appreciated

[Ring0Neck]

Hi Shey,
It's not late, I was pointing out that hen should be introduced to male cage whenever possible.
Updates sound good, they'll be fine.

[sheyd]

Ah, gotya.

I think I'm going to rename her 'the green dragon' quite intimidating (at least to the poor old cock) when she marches up one of the perches with her wings raised to make herself appear bigger!

[Ring0Neck]

Also, does it matter in what direction the nest box is facing
How many branches should be in a breeding setup

I don't think box direction matters much but here in OZ always setup the cages facing sunrise, to avoid the mid-arvo sun , so it'll be behind, again this is for wellbing of the birds less influential in breeding, only indirectly being affected if birds not happy.
2 branches/perches as far away from each other as possible so they can get quality flight time/exercise.

[sheyd]

The aviaries are set up between our house and the 6ft fence so that they get a bit of afternoon sun- but the birds choose whether or not they want to be in it as the sun does not flood the whole of the aviaries when it does finally get in there.

Thanks for the advice on the branches (and spaces)- they do have plenty of flying space as their branches fork up from the ground, then they have one higher up where their food dishes are and across from that is their box which they also have to fly to- but there is enough room to fly out, and around and come back- they seem do that a lot in the mornings I've noticed.

Good to know it doesn't matter the direction (of the nesting box)and I would have figured it because:

8th day: Hen is spending a good amount of time in the box