Feathers

She certainly looks like she could be. Is she from exhibition stock parents? Most show breeders will wait until the hen is old enough to breed (at least 2 years) and then put her in a show cage to assess all her strong points and weak points, before choosing a partner. As she is yet to go through a first moult it is way to early to know what qualities to look for in a mate. Feathers.

Hi Neat, If you wish to breed using these birds plus another female I would strongly advice against colony breeding (all together in one cage). For colony breeding to have a chance both pairs would need to be very well bonded to each other and it doesn't sound like you have any male/female bonded pairs now. The new female could be seen as a threat if they were to breed soon after you got her and that could start fights, picking on or even death of chicks (which you wouldn't want your daughter to see). If you are considering breeding, read up on the links you have been given above and use separate cages for each couple. Feathers.

Hi Sco-tie, my advise to anyone who wants to know how their birds would rate, would be to go along to a budgerigar show. That would put things very much into perspective very fast. It is really hard to rate birds where a whole photo isn't shown and they are not sitting on a perch (preferably in a show cage). If you think you have show standard birds, most clubs are inexpensive to join and only charge AUD$0.50 to enter each bird. I don't like to answer these posts as most people asking think their birds are show standard, and usually that is not the case. None of the birds you have shown are sitting correctly to be judged and the last one looks like it has a feather problem (as in overlength, drooping etc) Feathers.

Sometimes if you do too much at once, some of the other feathers can fall out. That would be very undesirable! As for holding the bird, always make sure that you have her neck between your 1st and middle fingers so you have more control (and less bites). You are right, handling them more helps. I have started to handle mine at least 3 times per day if I am going to show them. I use this time to wash them, groom them and de-spot them. I also put them into the show cages about 3 times per day, with different lengths of time. That way they get used to being put in there and don't freak, because they know that you will let them out. It is all just practice. Feathers.

That is cute. I wish I could do that with my dogs. They stress out everytime I put one into a small cage to move them. One whimpers and cries until she is convinced the bird(s) are okay and the other keeping jumping to try to check on them. Silly little things they are. If it wasn't for my cats I'd them them get more up close and personal so that I could let them help make the move. Feathers.

Good job, it is easier than you would think once you go roaming around in the mask and sort out what spots are what, hey? I think it all just takes practice. I forgot to get a photo of my grey when I was cleaning out the aviary. As for the cheeks spots, I don't know if anyone would even notice... Feathers. ps. are you going to start showing?

I used eyebrow tweezers and a toothbrush. It was really quite easy... once you have hold of the right feather even if the bird moves it's head it doesn't matter... therefore fixing the "OOPS" problem. I will try to get and 'after' picture of this grey later. Feathers

Hi Homer, I know all about car accidents. I hope that you are back to full fitness or will be soon. Great pics, Feathers.

Hiya Ains, welcome to our little piece of budiedom. Feathers.

Hi Chryso, they are so beautifl together. Love the new sig. eathers.

I have read some fairly new reports that show that it is good for breeding hens for the reason you mentioned, Hath. Feathers

The ideal is 6 even spot, 1 on each side that are under the cheek patch. I found if easiest to move the spots about to ascertain which spots are the primary spot, and should be kept, and which were the secondary and shadow spots, which could be removed. I also de-spotted mine over a period of 3 days so that I didn't disturb the mask too much in one sitting. This also gave me time to sit back and see where I have gone and what was left to be done. I should have gotten better 'after' pictures of the birds I did, but you can see how I cleaned up this spangle. Unfortunately he had uneven spots, which made it hard as he didn't have a full second spot to keep on his left side mask. Feathers

I do know the plant Paul, but had no idea that it was good for budgies and loved by them. Thanks for the info.. Feathers.

Hi Jac, I am really sorry to hear about Buddy. Unfortunately budgies are very good at hiding their illnesses. This is a natural instinct for them as a sick budgie in the wild would never survive, he woud be picked off by predators. Tumours are not uncommon in budgies either. Feathers.

That sounds like she may be coming through it. How is she otherwise? Feathers.

Would have no affect, just make him look pretty in the box for judging Feathers (I have seen a few clear headed UBC's)

I just ran around the net and did some more reading, Bea. Normal black stools means the psittavet (Or Doxy) is working, then they will go back to green/brown. If the black droppings turn soft and sloppy this could be an indication of coccidicosis, passed on from asymptomless parents. Not what you need on top of psitticosis, so I am hoping for solid black poos Feathers

I believe that birds with Psit do go through a stage where their poos go black before coming good (?) when on the treatment, so I am hoping that it is a good thing. All the best with this little one, Bea. Feathers.

Hey, great, nice clean head, very little chance of Flecking Get him in that show cage I'll be watching out for him in the UBC class (unbroken cap - or nestfeather) Feathers.

OMG, some of those questions can't be serious. 1A 2C 3A 4B 5C 6C (I am one) 7B I guess, but their brain is so tightly enclosed it can't move anyway 8A I nearly mentioned tat in the best pics thread as I was going to post white and pink flamingoes. 9A (but I thought it was 270) 10A I've always loved that term

Churchill has my vote. Look at the proud stance in the first two picks... I'll be watching young Churchill. Feathers.

I must come have a cuddle sometime in the next few days. Cuddle the bubs for me tomorrow, Cheeta. Feathers

Hi Eden, If only there were more pet owners like you. Too many people walk into a pet store and walk out with an animal they are ill prepared to look after. Good luck in your search for a great breeder in SA. Feathers.

I went to my first Metropolitan Budgie Club meeting tonight, and put 4 birds on the show bench. All 4 were 1st in their class. This Olive Spangle won best Novice in show as well as 1st in it's class: This Normal Grey also won a special award for a Novice Class Normal Grey and 1st in it's class: This young Normal Green won 1st in it's class, the one under it is an adult Normal Green that belongs to Bubbles, it won in the adult class: And the DF Spangle (yellow) that I put in on Sunday won 1st in it's class again. It feels a bit wrong to be getting points for birds I have not bred, but it is a good indication that I am on the right track with the birds I am buying. I also got some great experience in de-spotting this time around. I did the de-spotting over the last 3 days so that I didn't disturb their mask to much, and it also gave me the time to sit back and re-assess each time. Feathers.