Getting my male diamond a mate - Age/breeding Q

[Jon]

I have a lone male diamond who is quite lonely, and has been alone for half a year or so. He constantly calls for a mate. Yesterday I spotted an adult female DD at the feed store. I'm thinking about buying her for him, but I also am thinking about allowing them to raise a clutch or two. My male is about 3 1/2 years old. Would it be safe to say I can breed him at this age without problems?

[managermania]

Diamond Dove correct? If so, then yes he should be fine. I feel that they are different from finches. At least let them try IMHO.

[tinysparrow]

The age is fine I bred my pairs at a little over 1 year and they were great parents

[Jon]

Thanks guys!

Oh, and just to clear things up, I was making sure he wasn't too old. I've bred several clutches of budgies before and not breeding them over 3 years of age is pretty important since the males' fertility decreases.

[Nipper06]

I had a male Diamond Dove that fathered chicks at age 10 (and he lived to be 15). So 3 - 4 years should be no problem.



Just be careful - if you breed them, the males sometimes become intolerant of their babies when they reach a certain age - especially if the female lays another clutch - so have another cage ready. This problem seems to occur when the babies are adult size and have long tails like their parents.

[Lisa]

I thought you were talking about Diamond Firetails

Best of luck - I'd say go for it!! Even if they don't breed, I'm sure he'd love the companionship