Dave_McMinn

No, I am not going to build the door bigger. If I can get in there, that is all that is required. The door is wide enough to easily carry things in, so that should be fine. I was concerned about the height. I am 6 foot, but I can stand in there, wearing shoes, and only the very top of my hair just brushes against the roof, so that is okay. The slab is on a bit of a slope, and a little uneven, so I am going to put some stainless steel skirtings on the inside, and I am thinking about the floor, but it may or may not change. The plastic on the sides is a must. The left hand side has more of an overhand in regard to the roof, so that side I do not have to put the plastic right to the top, allowing more ventillation. I am considering the drop blind at the front. I was concerned about lighting, as in getting enough light, but I saw it getting plenty this afternoon, and I will assess it again tomorrow. During breeding season, I might consider the UVB globes anyway. We will see. Ultimately, I do not imagine that I will have anymore than 13 breeding cabinets, plus a kindy cage set up. I will also want to be able to put seed, containers, etc. in there. I have a cupboard that will go perfectly. First thing is first though, cleaning and kill rusting, then painting. I remember Neat's pink aviary. That is not going to happen. I am thinking that I want it to either blend in with the new fences I am getting, or even match the old aviary, so it is either tan or dark green. We will see.

why has this just started now? What has changed in the last week? Is there a mirror or reflective surface in which she can see herself? Have you or someone there changed anything in the last 2-3 weeks?

dave have you thought about just some thoughs see through roll up blinds to stop wind and rain at night or bad days and then you can roll them up on hot days or nice days they work well and so many diffrent type blinds to use or buy they really are a good cheep alturnitive If you have seen my other aviary, then you will have seen the blinds I use on that one. If not, here they are. Blinds are great to have, but on sides that are not going to be opened at all, such as the side against the fence, there is little reason to put a blind when i can simply put a firm plastic. The side close to the house and the front I can potentially use blinds on.

As I mentioned previous, the sides will be covered, with the end remaining open, and even that is debatable modifications will be made to weather proof it the most important part was getting the frame and the roof set up. now that is done, I can complete the next steps

are you sure that the hen in pair one is a dominant pied, not a recessive pied?

Just took some random pics The food on the grounf, whether seed or veges started higher up, and ended up beng thrown to the ground. Waste not want not seems to the the theory here.

definitely opaline

It has been so long since I had started this, and then my father and I layed the slab, then it rained for so long, and I spent all my time helping others that I never got anything done for myself, so i am pleased to say that I have finally erected the shed, which will be my breeding room. So far, the shed/aviary is up, but I am going to cover in some of the wire, so it all stays dry, but lets light in. I am also going to give it a good wash, and a paint with killrust, and if the weather is okay, a paint with a primer and a colour paint. Anyway, I have loaded up some of the old pics to save you clicking back to the beginning. Planning - hmmm, that back corner How it looked when I had first started The proper preparation before the slab The slab Now with my breeding shed erected Still work to go, but positive progress - finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

little blue chick is a little blue spangle. Shame on me for assuming otherwise I am worried about kestral and dumb and the fetility of their eggs. I am beginning to think that thick feathers might not have been the problem.

Look at that big chubba in the middle - :hug:

I think I teach some of these kids

I took some new pics so everyone can see what is going on. The msot pics are of Caesar and his lady's chicks. We have our albino hen and a blue cock (I think). What is interesting is not that he is blue, nor the fact that he is not a spangle, but rather, what is interesting is the amount of blue on his head and his wings, when he does not appear to be an opaline. Look at the blue coming through on his pin feathers. It is interesting. Also here is a picture of Dumber and Cino's little jellybean with the other unhatched eggs. These eggs belong to Twitch and Kiwi These eggs belong to Earl and Latte These eggs belong to Dumb and Kestral. I will try to take more photos more consistently as we progress

Nice pics, nice birds, well done

The distraction therapy seems to have worked. Down now appearing on the chicks. The big news is the birth of a little one in the nest of Dumber and Cino. This is their first little Jellybean and hopefully one of many. No signs of movement yet in other nests. I will take more pics tomorrow.

Do you have a photo of the parents, jsut so we can all get excited at the future colours?

I would be interested to hear if people use this product. I have recently putchased some UVB globes that are usually used in reptile housings. I have put these in the breeding room to provide a better source of UVB to my birds. We will see how that goes.

There are about 6 days between these 2 I think Kaz, off the top of my head. They were not born 2 days apart. I noticed the plucking, but since none of my other pairs produced fertile eggs, I am a little limited. Millet in the morning.

An albino and a normal blue it looks like

Stunted breeding season so far, but two chicks from caesar and his lady Some eggs All other hens are dutifully sitting on eggs. I have to trim one pair who have no nest box at the moment, though after trimming they should be good to go.

Keeping the cage covered is good, but you need to make sure that the air holes are at a low level. If you have any openings at the top, the hot air will escape. So a cover that lets air come in from the bottom is better

she is a good mum. She will handle it all with ease

Well, the new hatchling in the nest of Caesar and his lady did not make it. Shame, but it was not meant to be I suppose.

Now he is a great looing bird. I can see him being the cornerstone upon which a very successful line is built

Great looking young ones as always Kaz

Update time. Caesar and his lady have 2 young, one is an albino hen and the other is ...not. it is too early to tell if the youngster is male or female, spangle or not. All I know is that it has dark eyes and will be blue. Another little one has just hatched fromt he last fertile egg, so we will see how it goes. Dumb and kestral, after their feather plucking adventure, and a couple of days rest, have layed their first egg. All looks promising. Luthor and his lay had 5 eggs, all of which were infertile. I have removed their nestbox at the moment, giving them a couple of days to bond, and then I will trim their feathers and give them another go. Twitch and Kiwi now have 4 eggs. Dumber and Cino have 5 eggs. Earl and Latte have 4 eggs. None of the last 4 pairs were trimmed or plucked, so I might have the same issues as i did with the first 3 pairs. I never really realised the importance of plucking/trimming as I had never bred birds with this much feather. I would be really interested in hearing what other breeders of show birds have been through, in relation to feather trimming/plucking. With the pet types, it is not an issue, and even with some show types, it is not an issue, but obviously with some show types, it is essential. I will get some pics later of the two, hopefully 3 little ones.