Feathers

I am really happy it worked so that it doesn't interfere with Kaz's special weekend. Mind you, I am sure that Cheeta or I would have volunteered to hand feed them if we needed to. Feathers

Hi Michelle, welcome to the BBC forum. You will find that a lot of hens will throw out all their nesting materials, all of mine have. That is okay, it isn't really needed until the bubs come along, as the material soaks up their poops and helps to keep the nest box clean. Once she has a couple of babies to keep her busy put the material back in then. Quite often they are so busy feeding their bubs all the time they don't bother getting rid of the material again. Feathers.

I am so pleased that the chick is doing well, that's great. Ahh, it sounds as though Tweety may be a Lutino baby. The main thing is that the chick is healthy, either way. I can't wait for the photos, even if they are a bit icky. Feathers.

You need more nestboxes than you have hens so the hens can choose a nest for themselves. The nests too close together can definitely be a problem as well though. And, yes, if it was another hen that was harming the babies, putting the hen back in with the chick will be fine. Feathers.

Absolutely gorgeous birds, Kaz. Feathers.

There is no green on her at all. And you are right, a double factor spangle should have no markings at all. They look exactly the same as a lutino except for the eye colour and cere colour in cocks. Feathers.

Hi Kazz, do you know which hen is the mother of the chick? If so, put her in with the chick in a separate cage if possible. It sounds like it was a different hen that killed the others. This is one of the problems with colony breeding. You really should have more nests than there is pairs (some recommend 2 nests for each pair) so that there is more choice and less competition for nesting space. You can read about colony breeding and closed or cabinet breeding here: http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/faqs/i...=146&artlang=en There are lots of other really good articles you can read in the FAQ section too. Feathers.

You can see the yellow tinge to the face.. it is shows in the photos as cream, but distinctly different from a white face. I think she will moult into a stunner. Feathers.

It is behaviour that is very often seen in male budgies. Maybe you just have very excitable females Feathers.

I did, fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing. I especialy like the one of Jack preening. Lovely birds. Feathers.

Yep, fantastic solution that has worked well. Well done Feathers.

The bird has black eyes not red. The Pie, yes she was here when you visited. Yes, the photo is true to colour. Feathers.

yep, all normal chicks, but all the males will be split for opaline. Feathers.

Hi Julie, I love the second and third pics, they are so cute. Great looking chicks Feathers.

Steph, that is a fantastic cage, I have one just like it. I didn't put the roof part on though, instead it put bird wire over the top of it, as Cheeta said above. That way it was more useful as I was able to hang swings and toys from the top. You could also wire the top and then put the roof back on, but as mine was indoors, I didn't bother. Feathers.

Hiya Neat, you can get flexible torches that are long and very thin that can be bent up to 180 degrees at the torch end. That way you don't have to move any eggs to candle them. I wouldn't be too worried about it though, just sit back, relax and wait to see what happens. Feathers.

I love them both I always look for Vinnie first when I come over, now I can play "spot Mammoth" too It looks like he has settled well into the toddler room. Feathers.

Congratulations!! Feathers.

You can see his iris fully as his eyes have dialated because he is a boy budgie that is keen on her Great photo... They get the wild eye thing happening when they are mating too Feathers.

I would agree with all the above. I de-spotted some birds that I benched earlier this year after being shown how to do it by a senior breeder. I found the birds were fine with it. I did mine over a three day period so as not to disturb the area too much and, as Kaz pointed out, so the bird wouldn't drop feathers that needed to be there. It was much easier to do than I had anticipated and, as with everything, practice makes perfect. Feathers.

Shawna is doing really well coping with this catastrophic event in their lives. I'm sure she is aware that we all care for her so much, and we are behind her 100% with our thoughts and prayers for Lucas and the whole family. I am sure she will continue to update us as and when she can and, as keen as well all are to hear what is happening and pass on our love, I think we should wait for her to give us these updates. Feathers

Hi Budgielover, you are the kind of future budgie owner that we absolutely LOVE to see. Too many people see these beautiful little birds in a pet shop and buy one on a whim. They aren't given any useful advice, and quite often the advice given is wrong (especially when it comes to choosing an appropriate sized cage). I applaud you. You have done the right thing in getting information about their care first. Please remember "There is no such thing as a dumb question" , but there are dumb people who are too scared to ask. AS has been said above, ever budgie is different, a few of mine bath in their water and a lot of them just LOVE a spray from a misting bottle Feathers.

Lacey:[with closed eyes] Please guys, stop pushing!! So gorgeous Kaz. As I said the other day while I was there, you have a lot of very pretty white pied's at the moment. Feathers.

Hi Norm, the suggestion to trim the feathers around the vent was if there were no fertile eggs in this batch, but, as we can now see, it was a very successful clutch after all I do trim the feathers around the vent of my exhibition budgies, and I have done so with my current pet types also as I have deliberately put a small budgie with a larger budgie. So in the case of my small cock with the large hen it was definitely needed. Dave, any red eyes amongst them? Feathers.

Number three due today Dave Feathers.