maesie

I agree with both sides of this post. I came home from work today to find one of my hens had emptied her nest box. Her three eggs were stone cold, and one was nibbled! I checked them and they were all empty, and therefor disposed of. I do believe that you should let nature take is course, and in some bizare way, she new they were empty and didn't want to waste anymore of her time attending to them. However, if I was to find a chick unfed and not doing too well... I would probably have to do what I could to give it a shot at life (within reason). It's a hard one!

Thanks all, I took Tweet Tweet (as named by my 2 year old nephew as he looks like a plastic one he has... cute ) to the vets tonite and surprise, surprise, she said everything you said Kaz. She gave me some Ivermectin, the one spot treatment. So TT was treated, as were the other 'partners'. So hears hoping. Thanks also for the other advice. I'll keep you all updated on his progress.

Thanks guys... Cheers Maesie xx

Thanks everyone for your welcome. This forum is great!!! I look forward to sharing my new babies when they (hopefully) hatch in the comming weeks. Cheers Measie xx

Hi all, This cute little fella (soon to be father hopefully!) landed on my avairy a few months ago, and as he was not claimed, he now belongs to my ever growing flock. Does anyone know what he is? He reminds me of the original 'wild' budgies. He does, however, have really long feathers around his eyes, and long brown eyelashes (couldn't get them in photo as they were too small :mellow: . Any ideas would be great! Cheers Maesie xx

Cool...thanks for that Karen xx

Mum yes - Dad no. Mum spends all her time eating, just so she can feed the chicks. Dad used to feed Mum in the begginning, but isn't so much anymore and I've never seen the Dad feed the chicks. Personally, I think she's the one doing all the work. But she's doing a good job, maybe he thinks he isn't required!!! Waiting for them to fledge is so frustrating...they nearly go, then stop...nearly go, then stop.....they are going to slip very soon I'm sure! OMG they are soooooooooooooooo cute!!! I had a few clutches two years ago and it was so exciting. Some of the babies from them are now having babies... so it all starts again. Good Luck with your new babies!!! Cheers Maesie

Thanks *libby*! Is that what the grey ones are??? I'm not good with colours (Laughing out loud) Cheers Maesie

Thanks, sounds good. Will get onto it tomorrow. It's great to get advice here to put ones mind at rest. Cheers Maesie

Hi all, I think one of my male budgies has Scaly face. Tweet Tweet has a whiteish crust below cere and on corners of beak. (small at this stage) I plan to take him to the vets to get him checked out. I'll also post a picture if I get the chance tomorrow (it's dark here now) I only noticed it today and have been spending a lot of time in my avairy as I have three breeding pairs (no chicks as yet). I have read about the once off spot treatment of Ivermectin?!? Not sure of spelling. I was just wondering if this is safe to put on my nesting hens, as I know I'll have to treat all my birds. I also understand that I need to clean out the avairy. As the breeding pairs are in smaller sections of the avairy, is there anything I can you to clean/treat the avairy without moving and upsetting the budgies. I don't want to cause undue stress this time of year. Cheers Maesie

Thanks Karen. Here's some of the rest of the crew... Mum (mort) died this year from cancer, but did successfully raise two clutches. The first of three (Snap, Crackle and Pop) and 'The Beatles' as mentioned before. The pictures below are of Mum with her first clucth. As you can see she was very tolerant of me and a fantastic mum. The oldest baby in the pictures is 3, 9, 14 and 24 days respectively. They are all a few years old now and Crackle is about to have her first clutch with a hansome(long head feathers) green& yellow budgie who flew in from somewhere... I still think they are so cut when they are little. Cheers Maesie

Hi all, I am new to this forum and was just trying to figure out the picture thing!!! Hope this works. This picture is of some budgies I breed a few years ago. Here they are quite young. I named them John, Paul, George and Ringo... after the beatles. Although they are now slightly renamed, John is now Jonah, Paul is now Paulette and Ringo is still Ringo as I reakin this can still be a female name. I'll post some more info and pictures if this one works. Cheers, Maesie

Thanks everyone for your replys. I'll try that talcum powder Sailorwolf, never heard of that but it is definately worth a try. Cheers, Maesie

Does anyone one know how to control ants in an outdoor avairy??? I find my fresh fruit and vegies get covered in an hour and I end up throwing them out (such a waste) The ants also like the water bowls and nest boxes... which are always kept clean. I don't really want to spray anywhere near the avairy, and we often use ant sand/dust but worry about using it near the avairy in case the ants take it inside and the budgies eat it!!! So annoying... Any ideas would be awsome... Thanks, maesie

Thanks for that... I was thinking of the, but the original two she had, she destroyed and ate... that's why I took the box out... Do you still think I should put it back and see if she behaves herself. Maesie :feedbirds:

Hi all, I'm new to this forum, but have found it to be most helpful to read through others posts. I have 6 budgies, Tweet Tweet (m) and Crackle (f), George (m) and Jonah (f), Paulette(f) and Ringo(f). TT & Crackle have four eggs, George & Jonah had 5, but three were infertile and removed, I'm unsure about the other 2 so will just wait and see, Paulette is on her own and has stopped laying after 3 (she did spend some time with TT so they eggs may still be okay)... but, my question is with Ringo. She lay 2 eggs about a month ago. She needed assistance as she became egg bound and was close to death. She is 100% now and doing great. She doesn't have access to a nest box of any sort, but has continued to lay infertile eggs, which she drops to the ground and is unworried by. Can you tell me how long she will continue to do this for? All my budgies are in seperate sections of my outside avairy, but with all of these eggs I am finding the ants come from miles away. ... p.s. Ringo is probably between 1 and 2 years of age and has never had a clutch before. Let me know if you need any more information. Regards, Maeise