Bird Brain Baby

Thanks Liv - I will do that and let you know how it all turns out - hopefully our four precious bundles will all be okay and ready to take flight around Christmas time. I will take pics for you - our children are thrilled and completely amased that something SO ugly could grow to become so very beautiful.

Twas a big learning curve for my children - who love the hobby....but we wanted to start simply and learn as we went.......and it has been wonderful so far.

We would like to remove the nest boxes before the end of January, when the weather turns very hot. AS for the babies - we intend to keep them...they are our first brood. Next year will we undertake selective breeding.

Thanks Liv - will do. What do you suggest though if the remaining hens start the same thing...as it seems that Misty is a little meek and has had her nest raided several times and her eggs broken?

Hi All.......thanks for your advice (in advance)....I have 6 hens and 6 cocks residing in a large outdoor avairy. 3 pairs are breeding - one hen has one chick and another 3 chicks. There are 10 breeding boxes availabe to all....BUT - I have one hen (named Silverette) who seems to take a liking to the breeding boxes already occupied by her girlfriends. Today I caught her attempting to enter the breeding box containing the hen (Misty) and 3 chicks. Misty was attacked and has facial injuries, though the chicks seem okay. My question is - should I remove Misty and babies, with breeding box, to a large cage into an area I have to the side of the main avairy, away from the jealous hen? I can easily mount the breeding box to the outside of the cage and Misty can still see all of her companions. I was thinking this may be best until her youngest are say another 10 days older. But what about Dad? Should he go with them? I was thinking that - say in a weeks time - the Silverette would have laid at least one egg in an empty nest box and will no longer be bothered - so I can then return Misty and brood! What do you think?

We have a large outdoor avairy - 9m x 4m - in which we have 12 budgies. After much deliberation and preperation, we would like to try and breed 2 pairs, which would mean catching 4 of our clever friends to place in the breeding cages that we have also built....they are 1m sq with a breeding box attached to the side. I absolutely hate stressing our beloved pets - so what should I do? I can't see myself running up and down like a madwoman, with a butterfly net in my hands....so would it be better to use a large cotton sheet and gently lower the cover over the flock that we have cornered? Is there a better way? Is there a right way? Thanks in advance of any advice - most greatfully received.

Thanks everyone for your help and warm welcome. Seems there is a huge opportuity out there for someone to produce such items....I know I would buy informative posters for my children (and me!!).

Thanks - I really would appreciate that....you have been very helpful

Thanks - the info would be great as we would love a poster. Many thanks.

Thanks for the welcome......I may just do as you suggest...photocopy and laminate pages from a good book and stick them on the wall.

Thanks for your reply........He was well over his moult and he was very clean and healthy. In fact, I really gave his body a good look over and found nothing. He was eating well and seemed fine. Could then hen and caused this?

Hi All Thanks for your support and advice. Does anyone know where you can purchase a chart or poster that clearly helps identify different budgies types i.e. spangles or cinamons etc. We would love one for the wall of our aviary to help the children (and their idiot parent) work out what its what and who is who. Thanks.

Hi All. My children have decided to breed some of their budgies. We had 12, in a large aviary 6m x 4m - but rather than just add breeding boxes, they choose to selectively breed. We caught one breeding pair - both the cock and hen were 2 years old - and we placed them in a medium size cage, with breeding box attached and placed them outside the main aviary, in the airlock area, where we have a sink etc. The pair (Peter Pan and Tinkerbell) could see the rest of the flock. Right from the start the cock seemed very excited. He climbed all about the cage and constantly sat himself in the seed tray and kicked out all the seed. Less than 24 hours later, I found him deceased on the bottom of the cage. We kept the hen segregated for 24 hours before placing her back with the flock and she seems fine. Did we do something wrong or was it just bad luck/timing? I would really appreciate some advice as my daughter is most distressed.