maesie

Awww, very cute! Pictures great size, I just moved them onto different lines so they viewed better. Good work though.

oh no!!! I'm so very sorry for your loss xoxo

Thanks Birdluv... Sneaky... that was NOT the word I used to describe him this morning when I found him outside the cage... but hey, if the shoe fits!

Thanks Matt. Thanks guys... I'm thinking of giving it another name. I thought of a few ideas... including 'Rat-alto' (like the Rialto in Melbourne) or 'Illawing' after the property my Grandparents used to live on and farm. My grandpa passed away last year and my grandma is currently unwell. I was also thinking of looking up different meanings etc... so still undecided. I'm pleased to announce the first night for the girls in the new cage went well. I slept on the couch next to them just to keep an ear open... sad I know. I was just a litlle worried as it was the first night Jemima was caged with Daisy and Milli too, and although their intros went fine, you still worry. I awoke this morning to three happy little campers. Jemima wasn't sleeping with the others, but everything was fine. Doogie on the otherhand... arrrrr!!! After checking on the others, I went over to the big cage which sits on the cupboard and called him... I couldn't see any movement from the cage, but he's not big on greetings anyway, esp when he's asleep... So, I went through all the hiding places... nothing!!! Then I start to panic... I call him again and the see out the corner of my eye, a towel I had left on the cupboard moving... YEP... he got out and spent who knows how long out of the cage!!! Now the big cages bars are the same as the new cage, but when I had it attached to the old cage, I pulled it apart and then when I re-made it, it didn't go back completey. Daisy and Milli never seemed to worry, but they are three times the size... So, I have fixed it best I can with cable ties, and added a few strategic bricks... Will be keeping a close eye on him today!!!

I finished of the cage tonight, and the girls are now in it. Milli and Jemima have finially settled down for a nap after extensive exploring, but Daisy is still checking things out. Here are some photos:

Sorry for your losses... I colony breed once... and although i never lost any birds, it was more trouble than it's worth. There is no reason you can't keep your budgies in the avairy and just remove the nest boxes...

Thanks Emma... Even though I've only had my first boy for not even a week, I notice the difference alreay!!! The girls ALL come running to the door when I enter the room, whereas Doogie takes longer... he'd prefer to sleep unless he knows I've got something special for him. :question: ...and couldn't agree more on single rats... all you'd need is a little extra room, but you'd be paid back tenfold with thier love and very happy ratties.

No Karyn... my budgies are in an outside avairy. I did have two inside budgies but have since moved them into the avairy for more room and free flying. They were quite spooked by the rats, even when they were both caged. I never had them out at the same time... too much of a risk with both species.

YAH!!! Good work by your son. They are hooded, not sure about the japanese bit... Great Pets!

Yeh, they make great pets... I always wanted a boy, but didn't want the babies... so at the moment Doogie is living alone. The age to get them 'done' varies depending on vet etc... but as long as they have 'dropped' so to speak and the vet is comfortable, it can be done. I'm taking Doogie in for a 'ball check' so to speak, on thur. There's a great vet near me who has done rats before, and I was very impressed by the answers the receptionest gave me when I spoke to her... very knowledgable... The sooner he can be fixed the better, as he'll still need time away until it's safe... and I feel bad seeing him alone, but that being said, Jemima isn't living with the girls yet either... Introductions need to be done slowly...

Yes Pearce... they want attention and love to be around you, on you or in your clothes!!! They're rather be with me then not. They are also highly intellegent and make excellent pets. I love Jemima's white tipped tail and Doogie's little white feet!!!

If you've read my other post about building a rat cage... well, I have got myself another two rats to fill it up :thankyou: I was originally going to get another 2 females, to add to my current family of two girls... I had names picked and everything. BUT... when I went and spent some time with the bubs from a breeder near me... I had an instant connection to a particular brother and sister... so, I now have both and am planning a neuter in the near future... Anyways... here are my new 'kids' Jemima... Doogie...

Aww... hugs AV. Good news about the weight though! I hope there are no more issues. xoxo

NICE!!! Hopefully worth his price tag hey lol!

Hi and welcome!!!

Some fittings are now in and I'm on the home stretch. Here are some more photos:

Thanks guys... GB, The cupboard on the right is for food and bedding etc... but the main part is going to be divided with a full shelf and a half shelf... with plenty of tubes, hammocks etc... hard to explain, but you'll see it soon enough. So, some more update photos... Here's the inside and outside all painted: I then covered the inside with laminate tiles. They should make it eaiser to wipe down/keep clean. I also made up the doors today. Next they need to be painted, the shelves need to go in, and lots of sealent is needed.

As some of you might be aware, I have two rats as pets... I'm looking at expanding my family to four and decided to build them a 'home'. I haven't built anything since I built my niece(god daughter) her Doll's house which was nearly two years ago. (Doll's House) I'm trying to keep my mind off other things in my life at the moment, so building keeps me busy... I got this cupboard from work... It is a sturdy base and a great size. I'll use the cupboard on the right to store things, and the rest for the cage. The whole thing was covered in that iron on wood laminate. Most of it had been exposed to sunlight etc... so it came off pretty easy... Except for this side GRRRRR: Once all removed, The whole thing was given several coats of a waterbased sealer/primer. I have done more since the last pictures... but left my camera at work :hmm:

So sorry for your loss. I have my fingers crossed none of your others get sick. Watch their poo... it can tell you SO MUCH!!!

Check out the links in my signature... they should help!

Awww, poor baby. I'm sure he will come around with your care and love. I look forward to seeing some pictures when he is ready.

PHOTO BY NUMBER/COLOUR Aim of the game is to post a photo's with the nominated number and/or colour of items outlined in the previous post... then supply a new 'guidline' Remeber, you cannot hotlink images (post links to images on other sites), so please take your own and upload to Photobucket. All photos must be 640 x 480 so please re-size if too large as no links are permitted. (see my signature for instructions) They do not have to be budgie related, but remember we have varying age's here, so keep it suitable. Any questions, PM me please. Have fun and here goes... I want to see a photos with: 4 different coloured budgie feathers. :emoticon112:

Hi and welcome aboard!!!

Aww, sorry for your losses xoxo

Good on you. Quarantine I do 30 days, but some do longer. I'd also worm her and give her a drop of ivermectin on the back of her neck- mites etc... If she's plucking for others reason, lots of toys, natural branches and regular cage renovations can help keep her mind of things. She sounds like a doll... as to introducing her to your current budgie... it can go either way, but often they become closer to each other than us, but with time and constant work by you, it can work. Good luck and I look foward to see the photos. An Avain vet visit is also handy if you're worried.