Elly

nor I

Well that is only a 2 degree difference (Laughing out loud) I am in Ohio so we get the same weather as you do.

I agree the babies look like normal greens but if it is 100% sure that these are the parents they must be of a blue series and golden face 2. Because there is no way you can get green from 2 blue series birds.

Well I had my house between 60-65F and this is when my other bird got sick and died, their respiratory lining is so delicate, the reason I have him in my office is because I can have this room with a small heater warmer because with gas prices I couldn't afford the whole house at that temp. This is my experience, I am sure others will tell you what they feel or have experienced.

We get cold winters I would suggest nothing colder then 70F also if it gets warm and then cold and then warm again continue to keep the windows closed by your bird because the up and down weather can get them sick, I believe that is how Pretty got sick. I personally have Merlin in my office where I have a heater and it is a consistent 70F.

I have a single budgie but before he had a buddy who passed away he called for about a month after a month or so it really stopped and then he started to call for me. I respond to his calling by talking back or whistling but not appearing because then you will have a bird that calls and calls all the time. The best thing you can do for him is to continue what you do, don't be there at every call, he will stop the calling behavior and it won't be as frequent. In fact, Merllin hardly calls for me anymore because I am in and out of my office all the time he knows I will be back. . I enjoy having just him, we have really bonded experiencing have 1 then 2 and then 1 again I believe if you can provide the attention to them throughout the day they will be okay. If they are home most of the time alone though I do suggest a buddy of the same sex but only if you want an added responsibility.

awe they are gorgeous

Not sure what you mean here is the link, it worked for me http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=12931

I find this article very interesting about hand vs parent raised Article Click Here

I am going to bump this up it seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle .

I would investigate each person throughly and see if they are really parent raised & handled that what you are looking for the parents raise the chicks but they have been handled at a very young age. Don't impulse buy observe the different breeders and how they interact with the chicks and also watch how the chicks interact with them you will be able to tell if they are really handled. We have a wonderful article in the FAQ section called Evaluation of a Breeder & one of a Pet Store, I suggest you read through it. I also suggest if you are not looking for accidently breeding issues to purchase a another bird of the same sex, yes male and female can give together without breeding but there are those occasional ones that don't care if they have a box or not and once they start laying eggs sometimes it can't be stopped (other times it can), I felt it better to have 2 of the same sex and if down the road I wanted to breed I could always buy the opposite sex.

(Laughing out loud) Merlin does that too just don't offer it to him all the time, give him more covered over the cage hours and keep his bedtime the same inspite of the days being longer because this is promoting the behavior. Your nail most likely reminds him of a beak of another bird so unless you like the flirting don't offer it .

Look forward to it A large spot like that means that the dad is a dominant pied and so are the babies with the big spot .

yes it can because it depends on dark factors that either one of the parents could have given

They can break a feather yes in a bad landing, I would keep her in a quiet, not able to fly around for at least 2 days and keep her warm so if she did more injury then a few broken feathers and sprained the wing instead she can recover.

Excellent idea :fear

very interesting...

Remember Kaz you told me that about Merlin too when he came back from MIL, so Liv I can understand part of your panic. I have been keeping an eye on him closely and he hasn't shown any signs of sickness since he has been back now for 4 days.

Oh I thought you posted a picture of Merlin then I realized it was his internet brother Big Vinnie --- he is handsome inspite of molting . Mojo looks wonderful..they all do!

exciting news

As Norm said remove the cactus and I really can't tell from your pictures but see if that is the issue those are pretty prickly especially if she is rubbing on it.

I agree you can totally see the bleed in the dad . Also the spot on the back of the babies' head looks like my Merlin's big spot who has a spot like that mom or dad?

can you post a picture? Check everything in your cage that your bird rubs his head on for anything sharp even perches. Also is he going through a molt? Maybe when he is rubbing his head he is breaking some feathers up there.