One of the greatest challenges facing serious aviculturists is finding the balance between producing birds that excel in the show cage and maintaining a breeding programme that consistently delivers healthy, fertile offspring. While these two objectives may appear to complement each other, they often require different selection priorities. The most successful breeders understand that true…
Good biosecurity begins before you even enter your aviary. While many breeders focus on quarantining new birds and cleaning cages, one of the simplest and most effective disease prevention measures is often overlooked – the way people enter the bird area. Every person who enters an aviary has the potential to carry harmful bacteria, viruses,…
Bird breeding and aviculture can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity for families. Many breeders involve children, spouses, and relatives in the daily care of birds, from feeding and cleaning to observing breeding behavior. While birds can be wonderful companions and fascinating animals to work with, it is important to understand that some diseases carried…
ByAvizandumJune 17, 2026 An Industry at a Crossroads By Kobus van Niekerk Paarlklip Aviculture & Exports For more than 25 years, exports have been the heartbeat of the South African bird industry. They have created markets, supported prices, enabled breeders to expand their operations, and established South Africa as one of the world’s important suppliers…
Understanding courtship behaviour and pair bonding helps breeders create the right environment for stable, productive pairs. Birds are creatures of instinct, routine and subtle communication. When we learn to recognise these early signs, we can avoid mismatching, aggression, stress and poor breeding outcomes. *The Early Signs of lnterest* Courtship typically begins long before eggs are…
Healthy young chicks in a temperature-controlled brooder during the critical early development stage.
Historic First: Lutino Pink-Necked Green Pigeon Successfully Bred in Captivity at The Dodo Park
Breeding season is the most rewarding time for any bird breeder, but it is also the period of highest risk. When eggs, chicks, and breeding pairs are involved, hygiene and sanitation move from being routine tasks to becoming critical management practices. Many breeding failures, chick losses, and disease outbreaks can be traced back to poor…
Successful breeding rarely begins with the nest box. It begins with behavior. Long before eggs appear, healthy and compatible breeding pairs show a range of subtle but very reliable behavioral signals. Breeders who learn to read these cues gain a major advantage in predicting breeding success and avoiding wasted seasons. Too often, birds are paired…