**Liv**

I have to agree with Sailorwolf.The pet shop business see their animals as stock. It would be unfeasible for them to take a bird to the vet and treat, when it is much cheaper for them to tell you it died and replace it. No petshop pays more than $5 for a budgie - business wise its not worth their effort to take him to the vet

Hello and welcome - its great to have you here

Hello and welcome There are a few members who live in and around Adelaide. It's great you are doing research before getting the birds!! If your wanting to get 2 birds, then 2 boys are the best combination. The cage you have sounds good, its not ideal as budgies need width rather than height for flying space, but its not too small so will be fine . Also a photo would be great. Do you want the birds to be tame, or non tame birds to look at??

What ever floats his boat I dont know any that use water as an aphrodisiac, however a lot of males are humping anything they can find at the moment. There is nothing wrong with it, however if you don't like the behaviour, try changing his water container so he cant get into it and increase his dark hours to 14 hours.

You have had some great advice on this topic. I completely agree that the sand mat things are a waste, black a white news paper pages are ideal I really like the idea of helping the bird by educating the owners about how to care for it. Considering it's owner is away a lot, I also agree that the bird should have a bigger cage and probably a companion.

I agree with SW. There is nothing wrong with immunisations. Imunisation makes your immune system stronger and not needing to use antibiotics. Its the antibiotics that are the things that make super bugs. I don't use antibiotics or any treatments during normal quarantine. I only treat when a bird is sick. Instead of preventative treatments i do lots of testing of poop and crop contents to see what nastiest may lurk. No point treating a flock for something they don't have. If you have evidence of a sickness in a few birds, then yes, treat them all. but otherwise, let their own immune system ( that has been built up with quality diet and healthy living conditions) battle the bugs off. Only treat for things if there is evidence that the birds immune system is struggling. 90% of the breeders i have heard talk, use nothing but ivermictin (if that) in their flocks.

I know this question was hilighted before by Nerwen, but OMG some of the answers are just as bad Do chickens breast feed their young? Answer 1) nope they regurgitate like birds do Answer 2) You have just won a prize for one of the top 10 dumbest questions on yahoo! (totally agree ) Answer 3) no. they have no need. chicks are not mammals and they eat other things (such as...??? ) Answer 4) *** NO. I don't think chickens even have breasts. Only mammals breast feed their offsprings. (mmmm chicken breast ) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_y...13013022AA25zuq :hap: Sorry, but that one wins the WORST question that i have come across

Is it possible he has mites? Feather mites create irritation, excess preening, stress and moulting.

So exciting. Best of luck

you dont need to get both Triple c and Avicycline - they are one in the same, but triple c is better.

Very nice birds there

But how long do you keep them in the holding cage before introducing them to the breeding cabinet? I know that budgie sperm can survive in the hen for up to 10 days. Sorry, I didn't put it clearly. I put each pair into their own breeding cabinet with no box for the first 2 weeks.

I am putting some pairs down now for breeding and some in july, but the ones i do now will get red rings, what does that mean as far as showing goes.. Does the ring date affect the ability to show?? are the birds i breed now be unable to show properly??

very nice chick shannon. look forward to watching her develop ps. looks like a hen to me

I like to breed when the minimum night temperatures are still over 10oC After that, unless the birds are really sheltered, its getting a bit cold for the young chicks.

I agree, Hen

My face was bright red and i had a look of pure shock as i was not expecting to get any awards at all - they had to say my name twice before i realised they were talking about me

Gotta love a surprise packet

I agree. Its safe

Remove them and let her do it again. Remember to clip both birds fuffy butts and don't cut the 2 little feeler feathers on the vent.

So adorable

Yes you will get 100% spangles who will be split recessive. If the cock is split to blue then you could get greens, blues, violets, sky blue, cobalt or grey. it all depends what colour the DF spangle is masking

hello and welcome, you have a lovely back yard

Thanks so much. I am beaming and definitely have the bug! :sadsorry:

Have any photos of your setup?? we might be able to help you out more :rip: