Dave_McMinn

I am very sorry to hear of your losses, and the pain it has caused. We often talk of the problems associated with colony breeding and it is so sad when the concerns become a reality.

Today we had our second grand final in 2 days, this time in another competition. Yesterday we played well, beating Fairfield Pats in the final 32-0. Today would prove to be a much tougher game against Holy Cross Ryde. We were down 10-0 and got back to 10-8 at halftime, then were down 16-8 before we got back to 16-14, then were down 20-14, then got back to 20 all, only to go down 24-20, and scoring with 22 seconds to go to get back to 24 all. We defended well, and then attacked when we could, to kick a field goal and win 25-24. Yesterdays game was about great skill and showing what a good team we were. Today out opposition was better, our skills were not as good, but a lot of that is due to the opposition, but the heart the boys showed to come from behind so many times and eventually triumph was just amazing. I am so proud of the boys. 2 Finals in 2 days, and 2 wins. One a win of great skill, and one a win of great courage. Amazing last couple of days.

I could have removed more, Dumb had such a thick coat.

For those who do not know me well, I am a High School Teacher, and a Year Coordinator or Year 7 at a boys school. I also coach Rugby league there, and this year I have the youngest team, the U/13's. Today we played in the district competition. Every school in the region has the opportunity to enter, and we played and won. We will now go on and represent the Parramatta District, the largest district in NSW, in the U/13's at the State Cup on August 4th. I am very proud of the boys. We won the final 32-0, so essentially we thrashed them.

Well, it seems the heading was a little misleading, there seems to be quite a few unfertilised eggs. Not sure why, but I think a lot of it has to do with feathers. Caesar and his lady have 2 chicks, the second which I just rung. Here is the eldest who is an albino hen, and the youngest I am not sure about, but he/she definitely has dark eyes. Dumb and kestral had infertile eggs, and they disposed of them. I decided to let them have another go, and have since plucked their feathers. Their feathers were so thick, it is no surprise they struggled. Look at the bunch of feathers I plucked. Twitch and Kiwi seem to know what to do now and have 2 eggs. Luthor and his lady have some duds I think, so a feather trimming might be in order there. Dumber and Cino have 5 eggs, so we will see. (older photo) Earl and Latte have 3 eggs, so we will see there.

The offspring of him and the blue bird i bought you Kaz - hmmmmmmm -

Your room looks massive when it is empy, but it sure is filled up now.

Not a new boy in town, a new MAN in town!!!!

Yes, I do. thanks

Uno is a good looking young thing.

Sometimes that is just the way things go I am afraid.

why the change back pearce?

okay, rushing out, but updates of action (me) and non-actin (birds) Caesar and his lady- 2 young, 3 fertile eggs and 1 non-fertile Dumb and Kestral - no young, not sure on fertility. Luthor and his lady - no young but 5 eggs, i think 4 are fertile Twitch and kiwi - no new eggs, 1 had been destroyed previously Dumber and Cino - 3 eggs Early and Latte - 2 eggs I went and bought some seed and a proper torch for candling. Over the weekend I will candle remaining eggs, as well as ring my first young one. I also am taking my nephews to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, so the movie is obviously my main priority.

gave the birds some corn, and was checking the next boxes. Seems that twitch and/or kiwi destroyed their last egg. When i say destroyed, the only remains were scattered egg shells. We will see what happens with the next one. If they destroy that as well, i will let them continue to lay, but I will take them out and put them under kestral. She really wants young.

Very different looking young, colourwise, compared to her young with Stud.

It finally happened, Twitch and Kiwi have their first egg. Not a big egg either, but it is a start. Caesar and lady - 2 young and 3 eggs remaining, 2 of which I think are fertile Dumb and Kestral - no young and 3 eggs remaining, at least 1 which is fertile Luthor and his lady - 5 eggs, of whihc 4, if nto 5 are fertile Twitch and Kiwi - 1 egg Dumber and Cino - 2 eggs Earl and Latte - 1 egg

see now. omelette's 2 involves laying 22 eggs and raising what, 16 of them or so? What if a bird only has 1 or 2 young per year?

I actually went and got in my car and drove home. Still no photos yet, although there is some good news. Caesar and his lady have 2 chicks. The first is an albino due to her red eyes, the second has dark coloured eyes. Dumb and Kestral still have 3 unhatched eggs, although i am thinking that at least 1, maybe 2 are fertile. She did not lay the eggs as fast as Caesar's lady, so not sure when they are due exactly. Luthor and his lady have 5 eggs, with the first meant to hatch very soon. Twitch and Kiwi still have no eggs, though they go through the preening/feeding rituals. Dumber and Cino have 2 eggs now, and Cino is sitting on them, so that is exciting. Earl and Latte have their first egg, so I am very pleased with that as well.

In between parent teacher nights and training of sporting teams at school as well as birthdays for family members and state of origin, I ahve been very lucky if I have found the time to get a minute to myself. So no emailing Cec yet, nor have I taken pics. i will, soon. I promise.

It is not that I am worried about the colour, nor am I worried that it might be an albino, just a nice little surprise. okay, so caesar and his lady have a 4/5 day old, and today that little one was joined by another hatchling. very cute. Did not get a great chance to look at eye colour, but hopefully tomorrow I will get a clearer look. Dumb and Kestral are still chickless but I have not given up hope, and although Luthor's lady is still doing big poos, I am not sure there are any more eggs coming there, but I am hoping for good things there. The best news is that Dumber and his lady Cino have their first egg. They put on quite the mating performance for the other birds, and unfortuantely myself, today ( i felt like i was intruding and wanted to walk away, but I thought if I move - I was only 1 metre away from the cage - I would disturb them, so I kind of stood there stupidly) so hopefully some of the others like Twitch and Earl, got the idea. I am very please about the new little one, and I hoep to see more hatchlings very soon.

Wow Macka, great insight. It will be a blue based bird, but I am still thinking Albino is a possibility.

Matt, i am not sure you understand what opaline is. Note the heavy barring on her head. She is not an opaline. If you are basing it on the fact that there is a bit of colour in her wings? This might be opalescence, but she is not an opaline. the Light green bradford hen is opaline. Note the absence of barring on her head.

the pics do no really do her justice either as she is in a big cage, and the photos are lookign down at her. it makes her appear shorter than she is. I will try to remember your "feeling" when i plan my next breeding pairs :sad:

The dark green hen and the cinnamon winged light green hen each cost me $100. Myself and another guy wanted the dark green hen. We flipped a coin, I called heads, it was heads, so she was mine. The John Hewitt cock and the grey green hen I bought as a pair, they cost me $60 all up. Myseld and a lady both wanted this pair. We flipped a coin, I let her call, being a gentleman. She called heads. It was a tail, so they were mine.The two Bradford hens cost me $25 each.All up, 6 birds cost me $310.The dark green hen is amazing. You are right. She would go wonderfully well with the John Hewitt Cock I bought, or maybe the Henry George cocks, or even Bruticus, my grey Cec Gearing Cock who has excellent bloodlines. I am getting much better. This was my first club sale, so now I am more experienced, I will head to other clubs when I want birds.