jenene283

Well round about 3 weeks ago I was bragging on here as to how many fertile eggs I had - well I just checked the eggs that are due to hatch on Friday and it seems 2 died in the shell and the other 3 stopped developing :sad: for some strange reason, anyone got any ideas on why this would happen? I also checked another nest and the eggs are fine, I could actually hear one of the chicks pecking inside at the shell. Will let the first pair try again and see what happens, they both bred okay last year with other partners, so we'll see what happens next time.

Well it's only a matter of days now before the chicks should start to hatch!! I candled some of the eggs today and the air sac space has shifted which means they are getting ready to make their way into the world!!!!Cant wait to watch them grow up, that's the best part!!

What a very generous person to give it away! It must be worth thousands!

Thanks... not bad for a first timer. At least it 100 times better than what I had! Wow! It looks great Maesie!! The birds look right at home, a job very well done!!!

Hi Neat, any eggs yet?????

The same thing happens to my chicks when handrearing them. Try to perservere with the warm water and soaking the buildup till it softens. It should come off if you try and pick it off bit by bit. I know its hard when the bird is squirming to get away but you just have to keep at it. To prevent it happening again, dont give them too much food at once, and make sure you wipe the excess away with a damp cloth when you've finished feeding them. Hope this helps!!

When you notice her poos are much softer and larger than normal usually means the egg is not too far away!! I have a pair of Major Mitchells that I saw mate nearly every day yet it took the hen nearly 4 weeks before she laid her first egg, so hang in there!!

Well my first chick for the year should hatch next Friday (my birthday!!) so I have my fingers crossed!! All is going very well so far with all the pairs, will post some pics when the chicks start to arrive

Sorry Dave, I started a new topic which includes pics of my birds. Have a look at "Photos of my breeding pairs" I concur 23 out of 25 is fantastic... whats your secret??No secret Jimmy, just good luck I guess!! I give them lots of fresh fruit and veg, Calcivet in their water, gum leaves(which they love!) and thats about it! I only breed them twice a year and they've all had a nice long break so they were rearing to go (if you get my drift!

Well, I have candled all my eggs today (about 25 so far!!) and am happy to report that 23 are fertile!! So I'm going to have heaps of tiny little pink bubs in a few weeks!!

Will do - thanks Kaz, I should've noticed that.

okay, I am back from the bird sale! And these are the birds I bought. Had to do some switching around as I had 2 males together and the cock bird in another nest was "firing blanks"

Going to a bird sale tomorrow so hopefully will find a nice hen to put with my yellow pied. I love yellow-faces so will be on the look out for one!! Will post a picture of what I end up with tomorrow!!

Wow! Thanks Kaz! No wonder you have such exquisite birds - fed on those choices!! They all sound great! Many thanks!!

okay, here it is again re-sized, sorry 'bout that!! Caption - "No! Stay with me, he doesnt love you like I do! NNOOOOOOO!!!

I am wanting to give my breeding pairs some soaked seed and was wanting some advice. I havent given it to them before and want to get it right! What type of seed is best and how long do I soak it for? Thanks in advance!!

I dont know and its very frustrating!

These are my baby Major Mitchells that I hand raised last breeding season!! "No! Stay with me!! He wont love you like I do!! NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!" http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g212/jen...chells007-2.jpg

I now have 5 pairs out of 7 with eggs!! The 2 that havent started yet are the ones I'm hanging out for, isnt it always the way??

I love reading all about your birds Kaz - you always have such pretty ones! Love your photos as well!

:budgiedance: :hap:

I must remember that next time!! In the meantime, I'm on a search for a nice hen to put with the yellow cock bird. Thanks everyone for your help!!

I love pieds but it is so hard to tell what sex they are!! I was assured it definately was a hen, I think people just tell you anything for a sale

That's what I thought Back to the drawing board - will have to find a hen.......

I was told when I bought the white pied about 6 months ago that it was a hen, as it was only young, I wasnt sure. After pairing up my breeding pairs I put her? with the yellow cock bird but their ceres look exactly the same. I know for sure the yellow is a cock so now I'm thinking the white one is too?? Can someone please tell me for sure?? http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g212/jen.../budgies012.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g212/jen.../budgies010.jpg