renee

I believe I added this edit after you replied: I mean really, how would you feel if you had given away (not gifted, free) good birds to people interested in getting into Show budgies to give them a leg up only to discover the same people were getting birds from your Pet Shop and ready to pay $30 (because that is what they go for ) rather than pay you a visit?! And may I point out that any Show breeder worth their salt would not be seen poking around Pet Shops? Well maybe some would ... but I repeat, I think it is disrespectful and have chosen not to do so. As for Back Yard breeders, well if they want to really breed Show Budgies then they should join a club and purchase from members but from what I gather not all are that fussed so why should they care about genetic background? I have a policy that only Club members get to see my birds in situ and because they are Club members I have gone out of my way to be kind, generous and helpful with the birds I have given them. I do not extend the same courtesy to any backyard breeder who blithely tell me they aviary breed and their birds routinely have poopy bums. Kind, yes, Helpful, naturally, Generous - No.

So long as you are happy and able to make the distinction. It would be really sad to think that some poor starter picked up one of your birds from the petshop and rang you, only to be told to eff off (maybe in not so few words of course) just like you were. If you take the time to explain it to them then great but if you don't then I don't think you are doing yourself or the hobby any favours. Actually I have already been contacted by someone in SA who picked up one of my birds from someone else. I explained very nicely to them that that person had not got that bird directly from me and in all likelihood it wasn't mine. I mean really, how would you feel if you had given away (not gifted, free) good birds to people interested in getting into Show budgies to give them a leg up only to discover the same people were getting birds from your Pet Shop and ready to pay $30 (because that is what they go for ) rather than pay you a visit?!

Mine go crazy for most tree branches I put in with them! Day 1: New Branch! YUM! Day 2: All Gone!

Interesting, it would never occur to me to do that. Not providing details seems so more effective.

Nubbly, anyone who has come to visit me knows full-well that I am more than generous when it comes to helping out. And as things stand I breed for myself and then mostly for the Pet Shop, I do this so that while my budgies don't pay for themselves at least my Pet Shop culls go towards paying for all my other pets. However, it has come to my attention that there are some people who would rather buy my Show budgie culls from the Pet Shop than me! I think it is a bit low so this year I bred accordingly.

Thank goodness we live in a free world.

Then I would hazzard a guess that they too are carrying cinnamon.

Did I really say that Julie? I am so sorry you misinterpreted my comments that way. I have always thought that birds bought at auction were birds bought directly from the breeder through the Club so that our Club can raise funds via commission, but that is just the way I see it. In that case of course I have had no issue contacting the seller/breeder direct for details. :fear However, it has been my experience when researching the background of such a bird that I was told "records are just what the breeder says" .... and from that sage gem of wisdom I understand that you really only really know what you get when you breed with it. How many of us have bought 'the brother to the champion' only to find that it wasn't carrying the "good" genes after all ... In that case we say - "Evidently I didn't pair it correctly!" and if we can we on-sell.

Do the potential snake-prey get scared and slither away? Or is it the smell that repels them? :rip:

Thats little rough Renee. So if you were given a super budgie from another breeder (say Cec Gearing) that he had bought in as an outcross from someone else, you wouldn't want to know its background. For the record, I'm happy to provide details to people in all instances In the very early days I did get a bird from my local City Farmers and eagerly rang up the breeder (they will remain nameless) and I was abruptly told that I was interrupting the footy match. Whether it is that way with all breeders I do not know but I have taken my lead from that experience. So No, I don't do things that way. My stock I have bought directly from top local breeders and any other birds I have acquired along the way I have not sought details - I think it is disrespectful. But that is just me.

How many eggs is usually directly related to how old the hen is ... younger hens tend to lay more eggs ... but every hen is an individual so only time will tell how many Marigold lays - and how many are fertile :rip:

Some do, some wait until a few have been lain. Remember - only check the nest box once in the morning and once in late afternoon MAXIMUM! :rip:

Life is not fair ... this is another example of its injustices And for any smart-asses out there who think you can pick up some good "variety" culls from my Pet Shop - Beware! You will get a horrid surprise when you try to breed them :rip:

For the record. If anyone buys one of my bred budgies from the Pet Shop or second-hand from someone else, Do not contact me. I will not give you any details, more than likely I will deny the bird was ever actually mine. Only people who buy directly from me are privy to a bird's background. :rip:

Yikes! :rip: I am so glad you weren't bitten. Sorry about your birds

Or sometimes it can be an albino carrying cinnamon .... I had a couple pop out the year before last :rip:

How is your hen doing today? Did you take Gbs advice and pop it? What does the vet say? Hope she is improving. It will take time but you will do the very best for her.

Today I am happy to tell you that Lou Lou's right eye has made a full recovery. No more swelling and she can open and shut it with no probs. Close up of Lou Lou's eye Lou Lou and Luvie I will continue to give her drops once a day for the rest of the week before popping her and Luvie back into the aviary.

I am so glad he has started eating the pellets! It has been very worrisome for you but your perseverance has paid off. :happy-dancing:

Great news!

Finnie the chicks are lovely ~ Well Done! I don't know if you know it already but these ones look like Dominant Clearflighted Pieds to me.

Oh My! You have done a great job ~ Well Done! :fingerscrossed:

I have a couple of Greys with a blue tinge too, like metalic grey But they have grey cheek patches so they are Grey carrying the Violet factor. (confirmed through breeding). Bluey Grey with dark blue cheek patched = Mauve. :fingerscrossed:

Try feeding it steak. My hubby gave one we had hanging around choice bits of steak for a few days and believe or not it went away. True story! :fingerscrossed:

Good plan