**Liv**

It would a tough, heart breaking choice to make The odds of getting a carrier bird in the first place i feel is fairly low, so a 'test' bird may never be exposed. But i also dont like the idea of having to risk a life, even if it could save many. ---> :mellow: <--- That is exactly why i thought i would ask for others opinions

I was laying half asleep in bed this morning when I had an idea. (not necasarrily a bright idea though ) Psittacosis, scares me a lot now, and I am always thinking about the potential silent carrier birds who can infect my flock and family. My idea is: When you buy a new bird, you select a bird (from your healthy flock) to join them in quarantine, that way if the new bird is a carrier, the other bird will get sick and they can both be treated accordingly without affecting the entire flock. Choosing the "test" bird would be very difficult... but If Psittacosis is not in the new bird, then both birds will be fine It's the concept of, risk one to save many. What are your thoughts a views on this??

The adults are moulting. Bugger!! I didn't know about diet change causing moult I would have done it slowly.... He is not showing any pin feathers like the others are, but perhaps he is just a little behind them and having a bad moult?? The skin on the bald patch looks healthy. Should i keep him separate and give him moulting aid daily (or something else - I bought all the meds/supplements you recommended to me)? Should i put him back in the aviary and give them ALL moulting aid daily, rather than twice weekly???

S/he also has a blue tinge to the feathers in the sunlight, and a cinnamon tinge to the rump (but only in certain lights)... hehe Other signs of moulting... I am not sure, I think he looks a scruffy, there is some short feathers absent from the tale area, a small thin patch at the top of one wing and thinning on the cheeks? the flights look messy too, but that might have been from my handling - he's a biter!!! **ouch!** I haven't noticed him itching. I can not see any scaly face mite issues? I am hoping that the diet change hasn't irritated him some how. All the others are fine. There have been a few fights etc after removing the nesting boxes, but the flock is settling down after their big change around.

Snow is a budgie i bought from a petshop about a year ago. I have always thought he was a male albino, because he is pure white, red eyes and has never developed a brown cere. ANYWAY i think i am totally WRONG. I think SHE is a DF Spangle. I don't think she has ever come into breeding condition and she has plum eyes with iris rings. Anywaysss, Her problem is she has lost alll the feathers above her cere, and she has a bit of a green vent (not much though) - her poos are normal shape and consistancy, just a little greener than what i class as "normal" Is she having a bad moult? I have seperated her from the others. I have just started giving moulting aid to my flock for 2 days a week for the last 2 weeks. I use this dose just to boost their vitamins a bit, without over doing it as they get a good diet of fresh food. I have also changed the seed mix in the last two weeks. I used to use Trill, but the seed lost quality, so i am now giving quality seed from a feed supply shop. Thanks Liv

Wow! looks like you are having a blast!! I really enjoy reading this thread. You are so talented in so many different ways How do you have time to fit it all in

Lefki sounds lovely :hap: hehehe - i have an albino (or DF Spangle, not sure which) and i called him Snow, and I had a white pied who i called Whitie, so i think your imagination is far better than mine hahahaha

I agree, HEN

Great photos! She still looks like a little girl to me , but lets see what the others say hehe

Moments like these i wished i lived in NSW!!! - ebay's SA aviarys are all sucky

I would also put millet sprays in the nest box. this helps the hen feed the chicks without having to go out foraging for food

When using the menu/settings on your camera, look for a symbol that looks something like this Then turn flash to 'off'. If you cant find it in the settings, then you can always take a photo outside (not in full sun though)

By the look of her, she will settle in nicely. Keep an eye on her health, check for poopy bottom, weight loss, fluffed up appearance and a sickly look. From the photo you provided she appears to be a healthy happy hen who enjoys your family's company

I agree, the photo would be clearer without a flash, sorry. I am still thinking hen though

:budgiedance:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

She is lovely :budgiedance: She may have been a pet to some one else prior to you. at her age, and without regular human handling, she would be wild and flighty - not happy to sit on your shoulder :budgiedance: I am really sorry you got mislead - It happens far to much for my liking Did you buy her from a pet shop??

I have seen the Bourke's Parrot in shops before and have always loved their colour. I didn't realise they are also beautiful on the inside too Perhaps they did breed the budgie with the Bourke's, and the hybrid was (like you say) infertile, which would explain why the colour did not become readily (pardon the pun hehe) available with breeding.

Thanks for clearing that up for me I have a DF spangle that i have always thought was a lutino until a few weeks ago hahahaha!!! (oh and she dosen't have green on her either!)

I just voted - we are at 57 now - something is not right here

Great info DrNat I have to agree with what you said too. I have always said that the pink/red gene will eventually come from the violet gene. Selective breeding of violets, looking at their colour and breeding the ones with the least about of "blue" pigment i feel will eventually breed out the blue all together and leave a very light pink. Anyway, however it happens, I look forward to seeing one :hap: I wouldn't be surprised if they use this little parrot to help things along. Not necessarily manipulating DNA in a lab, but crossing the types etc HERE

Hello and welcome Not lutino if it has green on it. A Lutino will be all yellow with red eyes and no iris ring (White ring in the eye). It is possibly a double factor (DF) dominant pied, DF spangle or a recessive pied.

Gee. i hope you can sort out Tweety's nipping. Your poor daughter Is Tweety moulting? I haven't known a budgie to be possessive (attacking your daughter to be with you or your son), but it sounds a bit like that kind of behavior too. I hope you find an answer soon.

I have such terrible feather problem under my back verandah that i have an old vacuum that i only use outside. Its the paper bag type and i will fill the bag to the brim in about half an hour hahahaha. but then i can just put the bag in the bin and not have to play around with messy filters My inside vacuum is the HEPA filter bagless type which is fine for cleaning after my inside birds

Hello and welcome I have to agree with Kaz too. I have aviary birds and inside birds. My aviary birds are used to me and don't freak out when i handle them, but they are far from tame. My inside birds ( i have 3 together) are adorable, smootchy, lovely pets who are full of affection and character (bias i know hehe) - My children love the birds too There needs to be a big warning somewhere about the addictiveness of budgies! :hap: