Trimming Budgerigars Vents
The modern day budgerigar is carrying a lot more feather than its ancestors did years ago, consequently this extra feather can cause problems during the mating process which is a touch mating, obviously excess feather around the vent area will obstruct the sperm from reaching it’s desired destination resulting in clears (infertile) eggs.
It is advisable to trim around the vent area of both the cock and the hen bird, this is easily achieved by carefully cutting the feather and under down with a fine pair of scissors. Some fanciers prefer to pull these feathers out but I feel this is more stressful to the birds, also the process will need to be repeated between rounds it is surprising how quickly they grow back.
There is a line of thought we should not to remove the guide feathers as they help to direct the sperm towards its final destination, I do not subscribe to this thought so remove those too.
The procedure does not automatically guarantee fertile eggs, as the pair has to be compatible and in condition, if they are and a mating takes place it will certainly increase your chances of a full clutch.
