SJW

Mother gets very cranky, but just took bubs out so that I could put some bedding material in the nest box

Still going strong!!

One beautifully fed little jelly bean in the nest box! :question: The remaining egg has been thrown out, I was pretty sure it was a no go anyway! Photos later.

Definite cheeping coming from one of the eggs now

Just candled the remaining 2 eggs, it looks like one stopped at the same stage of development as the first one, however, I'm pretty sure the 3rd egg is live...will keep fingers crossed

I think that's all shed - just showing the centreline of the roof?? Correct me if I'm wrong....

okay, what I took to be a hatching egg, was obviously an egg that had been cracked (a very small indentation) for some time. What felt like a chick wriggling (felt exactly the same as when I used to have bantams!!) was actually the dried up stuff inside rolling about . Not sure about the other 2 yet. They are due around now, so will have a closer look tonight, maybe candle them again to see if we're wasting time or not. If neither are going to hatch, I'll have to think about whether to let them try for another round or not, as it is getting colder here, still quite nice during the day though...

Egg No 1 is hatching!!!

At what rate would people add apple cider vinegar to bird's water supplies for day to day use...?

I thought sky blue when I first looked.....

Firstly can I say that I think you've done an excellent job! What a great system :star: Just a thought though, I work in the water industry, where we endeavour to ensure that stagnation is avoided. I understand that budgies don't drink a huge amount of water, and I can see that you have quite a number of birds, but I think there would be a relatively large volume of water in the piping which would take some time to reach through to the drinkers. I know you plan to determine how much they use per day, and I'd be interested to hear the results, however, I think we may be surprised by just how little water goes through. That being said, an easy way around this, is to draw off a little of the water from the pipes every day - I see you have put valves on the ends, if you extended the pipe outside (or even used a handy bucket) to a handy plant or tree that would appreciate the water, everything would benefit!! :star:

In terms of specific mutations, I assume it all depends on what the lutino is masking...ie normal, spangle, pied etc?

Wow! That timeline is very interesting, Thanks DrNat!

Thanks Kaz! :cake:

She's stopped at 3, all fertile Any answers to my queries above...?

Just had a further thought on this topic (sorry for double posting)...... Does this method work for the ino varieties in the nestbox?

I'll go 11/10! Great post Kaz. :hi: I really can't wait for chicks now so that I can apply this!

Just had a thought, how do people go about putting nesting materials in? Do you need to move all the eggs before you put it in? Also, I've read a lot on here about the different nest materials people are using, I was thinking of using rolled oats (as they're already in the cupboard :hi: ), but was wondering about the type of kitter litter some people are using.... what brand is it?

okay, I have seen her out and about a bit, but she'd always duck back in as soon as she noticed us. It's a little hard to tell what she's doing during the day now that I'm at work! I guess I just need to keep a close eye around 18 days from egg 2...! At what point do people put nesting material in after chicks arrive? I tried with some in before there were eggs, but it all got tidied out!

Egg 3 arrived today! If the hen spent the night in the box from the 2nd egg, is this when we start counting incubation times from?

Egg number 2, right on schedule!

First egg yesterday (10/9)!!

Excellent, thanks Kaz!

I guess I forgot to say that even if she's in there already and I tap the side, she doesn't come out, but just screams at me..! Do you think the best idea would be to wait until she is out and block the nest box as suggested (assuming I can get to it before she zooms back in!!)? Can I train her to leave the box when I tap? Maybe by gently lifting her and putting her back through the hole into the cage - assuming no eggs have arrived and also that I can do it without having my fingers removed ..?

I'm guessing I was mistaken about the egg bum look , as nothing has appeared as yet. Uh Oh is stilll spending a lot of time in the nest box, so I have a couple of questions - How long would you expect it to take before the first egg turns up (assuming an already bonded pair and immediate interest in the nestbox)? and, How can you encourage the hen to come out so that you can check the box? When I come and tap the side of the box, if Uh Oh isn't already in there, she'll dart in and start yelling at me!! :happy-dancing: Thanks, SJW