Dave_McMinn

Here's the things - ask yourself what you want from the hobby? I have never put a bird on the bench, not even at my club. Is it because I have poor birds? No. Is it because I will not do it if I cannot win? No. So why not? Honestly, I am not sure that I am interested in chasing the glory that others seek from this hobby. I want to breed the best birds I can. I will never get there, there will always be improvements that one can achieve. Ask Chidel if his birds are perfect and he will tell you no. I agree with you about what you are saying about the big breeders and the best birds, but so what? I get pleasure waking up every morning listening to the birds chirp. Why not have pet budgies then, not show budgies? I like the look of show budgies more, so that is why I have them. It is easy to get disheartened when you look at the negatives, but ask yourself why you have birds? If it is because you love your budgies and you enjoy them, does it matter if the big wigs with cash flash it around?

Remove the chick and put it in a container on the floor of the cage. Hen obviously wants to lay new eggs. If you do not remove the chick, it will likely be killed

looks good. Can you get a long picture that shows all the aviary parts next to each other please?

With the weekend finally here I will swap a few pairings, as well as hopefully get some eggs hatching. It is meant to be a hot day tomorrow, so we will see how things go. About 28-30 degress so I might put a shade umbrella up to keep the breeding room cooler. Hope there will be a wind so the whirlybird on top of the breeding room will be in full action, sucking out the hot air.

If I am reading this right, does that mean that you go through all 37 cages doing the egg check, then start over and go through them all again to do the poopy scooping? And the same in the evening with the soft food dishes and egg checks? I've always wondered how those of you with so many nests can manage to get around to all of them. (My max is 6, and I know I am a slow person, but that's probably all that I could handle.) Would it be too unwieldly to do everything for one cage before going on to the next one? And then you would just be disturbing each cage the one time? But perhaps that would really lengthen the amount of time it takes to get through all 37. I am with Finnie here, and that is the key point here Renee. Instead of disturbing them multiple times per day, why not do everything you can at one time and then they will be fine after that. One disturbance in the morning and one at night. Simple as that.

I said what you told me was normal. You then added in 3 other things. I try to disturb my birds as little as possible, so only twice a day. You disturb your birds 5-6 times a day. Do not worry about after the chicks are born, that will be fine. You are looking at addling eggs. Try to minimise the impact on the birds. Once the chicks are born, checking them multiple times a day is fine I think. Can you not clean the poop at 7pm before you put the soft food mix back in? Try to do tasks together. I still think the idea that the kitty litter is not that stable as other nesting material is something worth considering.

I am just the LandLord for these feathered squatters - no budgie Dad here - LOL!!!!

There are many factors that could have caused them to die. Infection from vermin - mice, rats Killed by either parent Parental infection passed on You need to give more details, and even then it is merely guesswork When they are old enough to feed themselves then you can remove them. If the parents look like they want a new clutch, but them on the floor of the cage in an ice cream container with seed/bedding in it. Ensure they are feathered though, not just down, so they have to be old enough

okay, another check of the birds before I put them to bed and this is where things stand Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 5 large eggs so far - 4 look fertile Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 8 eggs now - majority look fertile Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 9 big eggs. Hard to see over a smothering mother Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 4 eggs and one layed off a perch, so only 4 (perch laying = broken egg) Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - Getting split up tomorrow - probably Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - getting split up tomorrow - definitely Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 7 eggs - majority look fertile Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 2 eggs - stopping there, though both look fertile. Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 4 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - 4 eggs - 3 viable and looking fertile Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 7 smallish eggs with nearly all looking fertile Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 5 eggs - but one has a dent in the side but may be alright. Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 5 eggs - majority look fertile Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 2 eggs Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 3 eggs Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - still bonding

I do not think so. I think that all sounds fairly normal.

How often do you check? When there are chicks, I am simple checking morning and night, once each time.

When they are first put down I do not put anything - I use wore cages so the massive put droppings go right through. Once eggs are layed and they begin to hatch, I will put newspaper down on the bottom of the cage. This is so when there are little feet they will not have to try to walk on the wire. It will also mean they can pick at the seed that is on the ground.

I did not candle any eggs, but I did not the colour of many eggs had changed, showing very good signs of a high fertility rate. Non fertile looking eggs may be as they are only newly layed. As for pairs and the number of eggs, Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 5 large eggs so far - 4 look fertile Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 7 eggs now - majority look fertile Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 8 big eggs last count. She refused to move despite tapping and even prodding. She nibbled my finger, so I left her alone. Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 4 eggs and one layed off a perch, so only 4 (perch laying = broken egg) Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - Getting split up tomorrow Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - getting split up tomorrow Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 6 eggs - majority look fertile Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 2 eggs - stopping there, though both look fertile. Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 5 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - 4 eggs - 3 viable and looking fertile Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 7 smallish eggs with nearly all looking fertile Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 5 eggs - but one has a dent in the side but may be alright. Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 5 eggs - majority look fertile Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 1 egg Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 2 eggs Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - still bonding

I agree - some lovely looking birds. Just on a side note, pet shops tend to charge more for the different mutations. You should never buy a sick bird, even if it is only $10. Bad for your other birds brining in disease and it only encourages shop keepers to sell birds not in good condition.

just a matter of waiting now for eggs to hatch. I will check for fertility soon.

Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 4 large eggs so far Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 6 eggs now Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 8 big eggs Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 eggs Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - if no success they will be split up this week Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - Hen looks like she might be up for it after all Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 6 eggs Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 2 eggs Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 4 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - 2 eggs Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 7 smallish eggs Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 4 eggs - but one has a dent in the side but may be alright. Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 4 eggs Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - Bonded well, hen spending time in nestbox Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 1 egg Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - bonding

If it does fall out, you can stop bleeding by applying flour or white pepper. Remember it might be sore, so biting is a common reaction.

As for Caesar, it was a generic term given to the ruler of Ancient Rome. Caesar Octavius, Caesar Augustus, etc. So can you use it? Of course. It is a word, it is not mine to keep, to allow or refuse. It is nice that you asked, but of course, if you name a bird whatever you want, none of us can really say no, you cannot do that. If I bred crested birds and one had a really long looking crest, I might decided to call it Justin Bieber. What id he didn't like that? bad luck. Like I said, nice that you asked, but ultimately I believe it is your call what you name your birds. I understand Kaz's thoughts, but as for me, and the use of Caesar or any other names I might use for birds, feel free to use them.

I have just complete a big clean up, new seed, new water to do yet, vacuumed, etc. Very little new to report. The only update is that the hen that Quiche is with is beginning to sit outside and I would guess explore inside the nestbox. All good there.

Today's Update Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 4 large eggs so far Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 6 eggs now Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 5 big eggs Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 eggs Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - Hen has been exploring the nestbox so they might stay paired Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - If no sign of action in the morning, the hen will be replaced with a greygreen hen that is in the aviary Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 6 eggs Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 5 eggs Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 4 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - eggs in the nestbox - probably only 2 viable Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 7 smallish eggs Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 4 eggs - but one has a dent in the side but may be alright. Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 4 eggs Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - Bonded well, hen spending time in nestbox Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - hen spending time in nestbox Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - yet to bond As you can see I am at 50 eggs now, and the signs on fertility are looking good. Noticeable colour change on quite a few of the eggs, so i am pleased with that. We have had a bit of rain here today, and it was the first day where I have decided to leave the doors closed with a light on for the birds. All seems good though. New seed and water in the morning, so another possible update tomorrow.

Ratzy - put some pics up of the birds. Sometimes the pied markings are so slight they are not noticeable, even to a somewhat experiences eye. I am sure that people far more experienced than me will be able to assist you int he correct identification.

I know that, but I am not a big fan of disturbing the nest or the hen at this stage. Some of the time when I say "3 eggs" it is more guess work than fact as I am not going to move a hen off eggs just for the sake of appeasing my own curiosity and letting others know how many eggs there are. I have a candling torch and I have already noticed the colour change in some eggs, it is just that I prefer not to disturb hens at this stage of the breeding cycle just for the sake of curiosity.

Today's Update Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 2 large eggs so far Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 4 eggs now Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 4 big eggs Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 eggs Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - I am thinking splitting up this pair. No signs of action Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - This pair may also be split. He is keen but she is not. Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 5 eggs Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 4 eggs Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - stupid hen laid another off the perch. She is hopeless. This one was not cracked, so I put it in the nestbox. Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 6 smallish eggs Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 3 eggs - but one has a dent in the side. I will check that again tomorrow and it may need removal. Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 2 eggs Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - Just paired so beginning to bond Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - natural bonding in the aviary so just introduced to the breeding cage Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - paired this afternoon

I hope so

Today's Update Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 2 large eggs so far Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 4 eggs now Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 4 big eggs Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 2 eggs, but the rookie hen laid one off a perch, so only 2 not 3 Pair 5 - Lutino Cock to Albino Hen - I am thinking splitting up this pair. No signs of action Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Sky Opaline Spangle Hen - This pair may also be split. He is keen but she is not. Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - 4 eggs Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - 3 eggs Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 eggs Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - dumb hen laid 2 off the perch. One cracked, I put the other in the nestbox to try to give her a clue about where the eggs should be laid Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - 5 smallish eggs Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 3 eggs Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 2 eggs Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - Just paired so beginning to bond Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - natural bonding in the aviary so just introduced to the breeding cage Garage Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - will be paired this afternoon.