Dave_McMinn

Good luck. I know what a terrible feeling it is.

girl

great pics. They have come along great. You must be very proud.

Some nice birds. Did you buy them as a group lot, or from one breeder?

Thank You and the egg were throw out nest boxes removed ages ago but now I bought more breeding birds 1-2 years old. will post some pictures later. When I started out, I had birds that found a place to breed - in the husk catcher of all things, and I had to play the mean landlord/God and i threw the eggs out. We all have things like this happen. I think you did the right thing by disposing of the egss. We would all love to see pics of the breeding pairs you have going.

How do you clean the cage like take the paper out? im gonna do this for my budgies because this is like amazing. There is a door at one end that you can use to clean the cage out. You can see it if you look back at the pics

We often talk about vet prices, but I bought my doxycycline (forget the commerical name) from my avian vet, and I have to say, there is very little difference from what I pay at pet shops for things compared to what I pay him. i think the container cost me $35 and it will last me a while. Can i suggest that you ring your local avian vet, tell him about the birds you are buying, and ask him the price of some doxy? think of it as a fact finding mission. If he tells you a price that is too dear, then you have only lost the cost of the phone call, but he might be able to help out.

Yes, to get opaline cocks, then both parents have to be opaline. As I understand, it is not good to breed opaline to opaline in the show budgie world as this would produce smaller birds of lesser quality.

It sounds like you are doing an excellent job and your cleaning puts us all to shame. ***, i would hire you to come to my house and clean!!! Cucumbers hey? Never thought of trying that. Might give it a go. So do you peel them? What about cucumber seeds? don't they have some seeds in the middle?

if you have paper in the cage that blows around, put something like a heavy food dish int eh cage. For example, you can use an old ramikin. Get four small ones, fill with seed and some with water, and place ont eh cage floor in the corners. That will provde food and water, as well as holding the paper down.

Yes, they could die of the heat. Breeding can put a lot of strain on birds. If you cannot move the breeding cage to a cooler location, move the birds. If she lays an egg off the perch, and it smashes, it is better to have lost an egg than a bird

I agree, a grey green TCB hen, if the parentage is as you say.

There is not a nestbox or anywhere for her to think of creating a nest is there? Budgies engage in recreational sex and they are not too picky about partners. I have seen some terrible combinations in my aviary. Often I find eggs on the aviary floor. When I ask about this, I was told by more experienced breeders that this is usual for the inexperienced hens to lay from the perch. If you are concerned about her being eggbound, you can put some calcivet in the water to assist her. You can also give her a drop in her beak. The calcivet will not cause an adverse problems. If you are really concerned that there is no improvement, then an avian vet is always a safe option. If the vet says all is fine, then you have paid for piece of mind, and that is never bad.

You need to treat them for anything they do might have. Birds disguise it well, so you need to be prepared. I say go back to the quarantine list that is pinned, and make sure you go through the full range. Treat them for canker, mega, coccidiosis, worms and lice, mites, give them vitamins, sparks if they are travelling. Put the birds first. Don't think about the effort. Everyday I am changing the water, and every second day the paper and seed in 6 cages as my birds go through quarantine. Yes it is is a hassle, but I want them to not only survive, but to come out of the quarantine experience in the healthiest condition they can be in. If you want the best for you birds, and if you are determined to be a good breeder, regardless of the show quality of your birds, you will do what is right for them, not what is easiest for you.

You are getting them form a pet shop right? What do you know about the birds? The breeder? Every other bird they have been exposed to at the pet shop? I say you give them the full quarantine treatment. the less you know, the more you need to do.

My entire charge was $50. When they told me it woudl cost $50 I said "Is that all?" They joked that they could charge me more if I wanted. I told them I was satisifed that $50 was more than adequate. When you consider the number of birds, $50 was under $2 a bird.

you quarantine when you bring in new birds. You cannot know what a new bird has or does not have in terms of disease. Your birds are not knew birds, so you are not quarantining them are you?

Actually patients see doctors. Patience is a virtue -

albino to Lutino would give you Ino all Ino chicks, with them all being Lutino as the the yellow is dominant over the white. i think that is right

never seen it before. Not sure. Sorry

1 lutino, 1 opaline sky-violet spangle and 1 sky-violet spangle. the opaline has the blue markings on the wings, the other spangle has the black wing markings

I just read this thread from beginning to end Trish, and I have to say, I am amazed, and incredibly impressed, by all the effort you have gone to and the concern you have shown for these birds. they were obviously neglected but you have saved them. Not only have you given these birds the possibility of a better life, but you have, through you concern and compassion, shown us all what a wonderful person you are and just how big of a heart you have. Thank you for sharing this journey of the birds, and you, with us.

There is no sure fire way. Sometimes you just need to persist. You can sprinkle some seed over the fuit or veges to help her relate the fruit and veges to the seed as a food source.

You are right SW - oops on my behalf

I know how much you love her, you can hear it when you talk about her. She is a cutie.