Boris' Slave

My Junior Boss bred younger than he should, short of putting him in a cage by himself there was nothing I could do to stop him. The hen that bred with him was about 3 and one of my best breeders - child stealer! Way back when I was younger and inexperience I had a 3 month old hen who bred, needless to say she died not long after the single baby fledged. I have always been vigilant about not letting them breeding at a young age.

Give them some time. All birds don't go BANG and start mating straight away, maybe they just aren't ready, no reason other than that.

I want him!!!

excuse me daz but what do you mean by 'mutant' and the numbers? I've never heard those terms in relation to budgies before and neither has my dad who was breeding budgies over 40 years ago :hap:

Well Boris' play area is usually me

Tell her they are too young. Tell her to think of them as 14 year old humans, would she want them to breed?

Patience. Have him sit on your hand in the cage first for 10 minutes or so the bring him out.

I wait and see how my birds cope with indoors first before deciding whether to clip or not. I had to clip Boris' wings as she kept flying full pelt into the windows, doors & walls - curtains drawn! I was really afraid she would hurt herself. She is growing them back now so in another month or so she will be unstoppable. Sunshine however, doesn't need clipping, she is a good 'soft' flyer who always manages to land on something (except when she falls behind something) so she is safe.

how awful Daz, I'm so sorry for you. I try and avoid Memorial section, very depressing. Here is a Virtual Hug for you.

Some people will disagree with me but this is what I do. If a blood feather is broken, the bird will continue to knock it & it will continue to bleed. Completely pluck the blood feather out and wipe the wound with very diluted disinfectant.

Poor fellow. Big Hug to you.

Silly me, must be the humidity. On reading the title of your topic Daz I was wondering what your clutch failing had to do with budgie varieties & genetics! :rip:

Gorgeous bird!

Way to go Terri! Great picture of Piper

Some people reckon not, but if you have good eye sight you should be able to see a speck of dust that moves. If he bites the feet too that is a sure sign of mites. It might even be something in the perches, give em a scrub & sterilise them.

I did buy a hollow tree trunk for them to play in, maybe that could've caused it? I will spray it on the weekend, thanks Lin. My very nice and kind boss let me go home at 2.30pm today so I managed to buy treatment. I got: FIDO'S FRE-ITCH RINSE concentrate for Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens and cage birds. Product contains Pyrethins, a pesticide of Natural Origin. A low odour, water based formulation suitable for use in a hydrobath, rinse, dip or spray. Contains no alcohol or petroleum solvents. (yes, I am typing from label, (Laughing out loud)) It is perfectly safe for birds! I nearly fainted when I had to pay, $49.99 for a 500ml bottle! But make up at 2ml per 200ml, so it will last a long time. I made up a 500ml bottle when I got home & sprayed all the birds, clean birds too.

it might be a mite problem

If they are not bird lice or mites what could they be? Remember I have not ever had an insect infestation before so have no experience. About 1/5 of the birds in the aviary have ripped the feathers out of their back which you only see when they spread their wings.

Thanks Daz, Is it safe to use on babies?

I have no experience whatsoever with these critters, I don't even know if that is what they are. They are about 1/10 of a millimetre in size, some appear black some red. and they are everywhere in my main aviary only. I only found them today & used what trreatment I have, cn't get anymore till Thursday, what is the best stuff to use - stuff I use is for prevention, not had infestation before, stuff I use costs $11 for 250ml but isn't enough to treat the cage.

Kathy I thought you might want to know that Boris just kissed the birds in your signature

That is a nice set up. Getting in is not a problem with my birds, I just pick up the bird net and they all nick off to the second half of the cage.

I have used Trill for years without any ill effects, my birds really love it. I also mix in some sunflower seeds which some eat & some don't.

In Pieds the females cere will change to tan/brown - and ometimes I've heard pink - and the males are usually purple. Yes I do believe s/he is around 3/4 months. My Boris (sig.) is 4 months old and I think having a sex change as 'he' (had a blue cere before starting moult) is beginning to look like a she (becoming tan).

Great Set up there, and good looking birds. How bout calling the newbie - Bigeyes?