mirror saw

Thank you, everyone. Good news: the cock is now fully healed, and feeling better. Daz, I am 100% sure the cock is the father, since these are the only two I own, and since I saw them mating (still a little traumatized from it). The pregnancy was admittedly unplanned, as they'd mated without a nesting box present. The hen actually laid a few eggs on the cage floor, and I removed them. I put in a nesting box before she was done laying, because I didn't have the heart to throw away anymore eggs. When I set up the box, she investigated it, and threw almost all of the bedding out. However, she still laid an egg on the cage floor. She started attacking the cock, and in the midst of a fight, they cracked the shell. Later, after I separated them, she laid the last egg on the floor. I put on some gloves, placed it in the nesting box, and she started sitting on it.

My hen is now sitting on an egg in the nesting box, and I'm worried she needs the father to feed her and care for her. About 2 days ago, she completely lost her mind, and almost killed him. She chased him around the cage repeatedly, and kept attacking him, and pinning him to the floor. I placed him in a separate cage, and ever since, he's kept his head buried in his back like sick birds do. I know he's been eating and drinking, and today, he seems to have been feeling slightly better, because he's starting to move around, preen, and sing a little. Anyway, right after I separated the two birds, the hen laid a second egg, and started sitting on it. I saw her come out a little while ago. She ate a little, and went straight back into the box. I want to place the male back in the cage with her, but I want to let him completely heal first, and I don't want her to try to kill him again. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

Thanks, everyone I had placed the cuttlebone near the food bowl this time so they can get at it more conveniently. Bits of cuttle bone do fall in the food bowl, but I think they bypass it. I think I'll give the calcium bell a try. That way, the hen can enjoy herself with something more challenging to tear up, and maybe it will be a little more nutritious for her.

Try to bear with me, because I'm still learning about budgies. I've kept them for a long time, but there are A LOT of things I never read up on, or paid attention to until recently. We all know cuttle bones are a good source of calcium, but does the budgie get the calcium by actively eating the bones, or does it just happen more or less by accident? The reason I'm asking is because my budgie hen loves cuttle bones, but she seems to merely enjoy having something to tear up. She vigorously gnaws at them, and tosses the bits and chunks on the cage floor; I've never actually seen her ingest any.

Oh, were you talking about Baby (the budgie I thought was a clearwing), or Boxer (the mauve hen)? (Laughing out loud)

Ah, okay. I didn't know that. You learn something new everyday!

How can you tell?

Hi Vanny, and congrats on your new budgie! It's difficult to say for sure, but I think it might be a boy, because the cere appears to be rather smooth.

Full body greywing would make sense. okay, so I was half wrong, then. :budgiedance: And thank you for the compliment; he's also a sweetheart, and very gentlemanly to the hen. heh

Lovey, Thanks for the reply. Yes, his wings are grey, his body is bright skyblue, and his cheekpatches are dark blue/bright violet.

Can someone please help me in deciphering what color/mutation type my budgie is? The pics aren't that great, and I'm afraid to use flash. But hopefully, they're sufficient in giving some clues. Front: Back and wing markings: Also, I hope it's okay, but I'd like to show off my other budgie. I'm about 98% sure she is mauve, but I couldn't get better pics--she HATES the camera.

Well, we put a nesting box on the cage, and she never laid another egg, so I guess that one was the last. Part of me is disappointed, but another part of me is a little relieved.

Love the new pictures of Golly

Beautiful babies! Do you have anymore pictures of Golly?

Awww! Love the picture of the budgie waiting for a belly rub. (Laughing out loud)

Thank you, everyone, for the warm welcome

Thanks, guys!

Hi, everyone. Figured I should give a proper introduction before I make anymore posts. I'd always been in love with birds my whole life, but when I was about 4 years old, I saw the prettiest thing I'd ever seen in my life fly in my garage and land on my bicycle handlebars. I brought it to my father's attention, and he said with bewilderment, "It's a parakeet." I don't know where it escaped from, but we bought it a cage, food, and a friend. I've been keeping budgies ever since. I'm currently the proud owner of 1 hen, and 1 cock. I'll post pics later. Anyway, I'm glad to be here, and I look forward to reading all of your posts! Hopefully, y'all will let me stick around for a while. -Janet

I don't think the cage is big enough to comfortably fit more than 4 budgies, so I'm going to buy a bigger cage, and move them into it. New additions to the family warrant a bigger home, I suppose. I wasn't aware that 4 years old was nearing the limit. The hen is my baby; I really don't want her health to be jeopardized. Anyway, I'm still waiting for egg #2, and it hasn't yet appeared. Maybe it won't. Thanks again for your help, Karen.

Thanks for your help, Karen! The hen is about 4 years old, and she has a male cagemate who is about the same age. I'm actually excited about the idea of my two beloved budgies having babies, so if she is going to lay more eggs, I'll do whatever it takes to help her raise them. :budgiedance:

While I was cleaning out my budgie cage yesterday, I saw where the hen had laid an egg in--believe it or not--the water bowl!!! Needless to say, I had absolutely no idea she was pregnant. She hasn't been acting differently, and she didn't appear to be particularly swollen. Will the hen lay anymore eggs? Do I need to place a nesting box in the cage immediately? I think I'm still in disbelief that this whole thing is happening.