Boris' Slave

Please dont use text shortcuts! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (Laughing out loud) Sorry Adam, I'll repent *slaps hand* I'm used to typing how I talk

5 years old for a first clutch is too old. I'd say you might have to remove her and put her in a retirement cage so that the other hens can bree, then you might have to buy another hen to even up the male/female ratio.

In addition to the regular foods, I also have liquid supplements that I give them in their water once a fortnight (alternating). Liquid calcium (dog calcium is best as you get more for less money, calcium is calcium) Vitamins & Minerals Superbloom (especially good for when they are breeding) Every 3 months I worm them whether they show signs of it or not. I give them every six months for a 3 week period (helps prevent liver disease) Liquid vitamin B (human variety: Vit B is Vit , Iodine & Molassis (smelly) I also have many medications on hand if they get sick - especially Megabac S as megabacterioses is 100% fatal when you actually know the bird is sick.

I alternate vegies everyday. My birds' favourites are celery, carrot & corn. They don't like apples, tomatoes, brocoli etc. Like me they are very fussy eaters. My guys also love bread crusts which I limit them to once a week - this is good as I don't like bread crusts. I once read somewhere that budgies love peanut butter. Boris will eat my sandwich but ignore the peanut butter as has every other bird. Has anyones budgie eaten peanut butter?

I soak mine in Nappysan for 30 minutes, then in plain water for another 30 mnutes then throw on the line for a day until it dries. It come up beaudiful

I like what I've seen so far. I think my computer was attacked by Boris when I was out of the room coz I could only see the first page

I wish!! No, I never actually managed to breed a white faced green despite much research (mendell's notes, Darwins theory, long conversations with a geneticist) and many many many attempts, all I got was plenty of healthy yellow faced greens!! If it can be done (my friend the geneticist said it is possible) it will have to be done by some who is not so impatient for results. I'll just stick to my Albino's & Lutino's for now, hang on, maybe I could get a white faced Lutino? or a yellow faced Albino? hmmm interesting . . . . . :book:

I hate mistreatment of animals. We decide we want to domesticate them, the animals are totally dependent on us, we should not betray that trust. Once a year I sell my excess birds at our local markets and I rather keep birds at home than cruelly subject them to cramping even if it is "only" for 6 hours. I even question buyers as to their experience with budgies & what housing they will have and explain (my mother terms it giving a sermon) in feeding requirements to new owners before I sell them a bird. I even flat out refused to sell or give my own sister a bird as her family is too irresponsible for avian pets!!! One bird seller at our local markets (Fernvale Qld) has cages approx 50cmW 30D & 30H and puts anywhere up to 30 budgies in there. Most of them have to sit on the wire. He also over accommodates other bird varieties such as 8 Bourke's parrots in a Budgie show cage, 30 finches in a Budgie show cage etc. They are purely in it for the money I am sure. :yellowhead: I'm not game to say anything as I value my head. :mellow:

I disagree. Do we tell our kids they can't "breed" or are irresponsible until they've read a few books or looked into babies' diets, behaviour etc? Maybe, but we don't criticise them for it we offer support & advice. Everything in life is learnt from trial and error including budgie breeding. Knowledge is gained along the way from various sources, more experienced people is an invaluable source of information. I would suggest you offer our young novice some helpful advice and encouragement instead of criticism & negativity.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this place before but I have found their help invaluable in the past. Their name is vetafarm and they are in Wagga Wagga, for a $22 membership fee (1 year) you get some great benefits. their address is: www.vetafarm.com.au This following section I copied from their site: Anyone can join VetaClub, but due to distance and quarantine restrictions, international members do not qualify for the free testing of birds or for freight free benefits, however they are welcome to join and receive all other benefits. What do you receive? VetaClub members are entitled to receive the following benefits: Free access to Vetafarm's Avian veterinarians by Phone, E-mail or Fax for Australian and International members. One half price Chlamydia (Psittacosis) test annually. Two Free Megabacteria tests annually. Two Free Coccidiosis tests annually. Two Free Worm tests annually. Freight Free on all orders over $AU250 (GST exclusive) within Australia Free samples of new Vetafarm products when available. Personalised VetaClub membership card. Special VIP offer of 15% discount on all purchases available. VetaClub NewsLetter. The newsletter showcases in detail the latest news on product research and development. It also contains the latest interviews with Dr Tony Gestier on many and varied avian subjects. Members are given the opportunity to detail any good, bad or funny experiences, ask questions and publicise their bird club through the newsletter.

nerwen & mr c are right. I have just finished treating 2 of my birds for scaly face & feet. You can pick up a bottle of treatment for around $10 from a pet store or produce centre. Treat with a cotton tip twice daily, make sure you apply it thick & don't worry if the birds "drink" some of it, it won't hurt them. I had to wrestle with one of the birds every single time as he always managed to grab the cotton bud in his beak - the other grabbed it with her foot. Remove the birds and scrub the cage thoroughly with a mix of bicarb & vinegar which disolves dirt & doesn't cause any health problems for the birds if you don't do a perfect job of washing it off. Next it can't hurt to rub some of the solution into the perches to kill the mites there/prevent them returning.

Please, oh please take him to the vet & have a faecal test done. I can't stress enough the importance of a quick diagnosis. I waited too long and lost alot of birds (22) between Nov 03 & June 04. I will tell the whole story another time as it is heartbreaking and silly as it sounds, I still haven't gotten over it yet, but it taught me a valuable lesson - I don't know it all. :book:

Hello budgie lovers!! My name is Karen and I joined just a few days ago. I will share some info about my extended family. I am slave to about 50 budgies, 14 Bourke's Parrots & 2 Turqs. I specialise in breeding Lutino's & Albino's. I tried for a couple of years to breed the elusive white faced green but had to admit defeat. I have included some photo's of my family that I took today for you to enjoy. The photo below is Boris (son of Junior Boss, son of Boss - all ruled this house at one stage) who is 7 weeks old. He has only been master of this household for 12 days and he rules us with an iron feather! He crawls all over us, follows us up the hallway into our bedrooms, helps us read the paper and of course plays with the fish. This next photo is Boris' dad Junior Boss. This is Sticky Beek - he always wants in on the action. This is a general photo from my largest cage. This one is one of my Bourke's Parrots, Gorgeous who would not be quiet or leave me alone until I took a photo of him. I hope you enjoyed the photo's!! I have a really funny photo saved on my computer somewhere which when I find it I will post. It is of my darling girl Squirt who appears to be being eaten by a whale! See ya, Karen.