I've finally paired up Tweet Tweet (who from now on in I'll call TT as I can't be bothered writing Tweet Tweet all the time ) and Crackle. Below:

 

 

They paired up as soon as he got into the avairy. They did have some eggs last year, but she deserted them. It may have been because she could see all of the others breeding and non breeding, I may have bothered her too much, or he may not have fertilised her before she laid them. Either way, nothing came of them. So, they're in the breeding box. The first night the sat their like rabbits caught in headlights. They've always being in a large avairy. Second day, they seem quite happy. Neither of them are pacing up and down wanting to get out, which is great. Crackle has now been into the nest box and cleared out some of the wood shavings. Whenever she sees me she sits on the perch comming out of the box and TT sits near her. Also, when she goes in, he sits next to the door. Very cute. They seem to know what to do and what they are in their for. I also trimmed both of their vents. He was very 'feathery' lol. Here's hoping his swimmers get through and some eggs, when laid are fertile.

 

That's all for now. Stay tuned for regular updates with hopefully a good outcome!

Nice couple .

Good luck with them

Fingers crossed they're more successful than the late breeding period

Crackle's a gorgeous girl so i'd like to see her bubs

They are a cute couple, i really hope everything goes well with the breeding.

they are sweet, you might get some grey greens out of them

good luck

Thanks everyone. Crackle has been spending some time in the nest box, but nothing as yet. I'm just really hoping they got some action before she retreated there, and something comes from the eggs (if some are laid) TT seems pretty happy eating and feeding her. So... fingers crossed for some results. :hap:

= one!!!! :hap: This afternoon after work I checked out Crackle's nest box and wham bam thank you mum!!! We have an egg. I'm very excited. After my peek I left her to it as I don't want to bother her. She must have laid it today as it wasn't there this morning. She has been spending a lot of time in their so I knew it was comming. She has actually decided to leave some of the shavings in the box which is great. What a great day!

Congratulations on your egg :hap:

 

 

:hap: :hap:

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! :hap: Yay!!! Congrats!!!

congrats on the first egg.

Congratulations

HEY HEY !!!!!

CONGRATS Mate ... How exciting ..... Oh i hope you get plenty of fertile eggs mate

:nest: = 2!!! This arvo we are up to 2 bum nuts!!! Very exciting.

 

I have one question. I know it is a big no no to move breeding cages/boxes after laying has started. If I do find a new unit to move into soon (see other topic in Off topic), I'll need to move them. I don't plan on moving the avairy birds straight away, as I'm buying a new one and want to see where the sun falls, rain direction etc... before getting a new one. I'll be leaving them in the old avairy at home until then where Dad will help lookafter them. However, I do not trust Dad (sorry Dad), or expect him to look after and check twice daily the breeding pair, eggs and then hopefully chicks. I'm sure I'll be able to find a nice quiet inside place for the breeding cage, but not sure how to go about making the move when it comes. Do I leave the eggs in the nest box and just top it up with extra wood shavings so they don't roll around, or do I remove them. I don't want to risk her deserting them... ummmmmm, what to do?!?!

i have moved two hens in nestboxes on eggs to another home Masie, I did it like this

I covered their nestbox with masking tape ( the hole) while the hen was in there once

I got to the new house I put the nest box back in and removed the tape .... No problems and NO DAMAGED EGGS

I’m sorry Neat that sound a little dangerous to me, maybe alright if you only had to move it a small way, but to another property I think the hen may get stressed & smash the eggs trying to get out. My suggestion would be to at least delay moving until the young hatched & then I think it would be more successful.

Aww I just love seeing budgie's in love, I hope all goes well for them

 

good luck

Thanks Neat and Norm. This hen left her nest last year when she had a full nest of eggs and when I check on her progress now, she always moves out of the box. I really don't want to upset her and make her leave them. Staying put might be an idea. I'd hate for her to loose another clutch because of me. I must put her and her eggs first... mmmmm

good luck with them Maise

= 3

 

All is still going well. Crackle was out of the nest box when I went outside. I got a quick look and saw three eggs, before she hurried back to them. TT got a feast of fresh corn on the cob and silverbeet, which he was quick to start attacking!!!

Alrighty Maesie, No3 .......

Norm, I moved from my old house to his house where I am now ( a suburb away) it was the advise I was given from here ......

It’s pretty normal for lots of hens to just move out of their box when you inspect them; in fact I like those ones, as it makes nest inspection easy. Those ones that stay stuck fast & can even get stuck into your hands make it difficult. I have never seen a Budgie leave its eggs through being inspected; I would think it was just some other reason. Once they have chicks they are more connected to their nest & seeing you are moving the whole cabinet, it’s like their world is still the same within reason, so you shouldn’t have much trouble, of course the least amount of disturbance is best.

Alrighty Maesie, No3 .......Norm, I moved from my old house to his house where I am now ( a suburb away) it was the advise I was given from here ......

okay Neat, yes it could work, but I guess it depends on the temperament of the individual birds, if it’s one of those more flighty ones, when I disturb some of them they just run around in circles with eggs flying everywhere.

Thanks Norm, Neat and all. I guess because I'd be moving the whole thing... nesting box and cage, and I'd not be disconnecting the two... it might not be such an issue. I guess I'll tackle that issue when the time comes... Thanks for your advice and input. It does ease my mind somewhat.

 

My thinking is that a move and me looking after them and checking twice daily, would be better than not moving and then me only checking every few days... Esp with the weeks and months ahead with eggs, babies etc...

= 4! All is well. She's not as quick to move when I do my checks, as she used to be. Dad seems to be doing a great job also and they both look great!!! I wonder how many she'll lay.?.?.?

sounds like everything is going okay

l can hardly wait to see chicks.

Edited May 20, 200817 yr by birdluv