renee

I would think Minty looks too young to breed this year unless it's a very old photo - best to wait 10-12 months for cock birds.

Some pet shop type birds look like that .... so long as she doesn't feel "squishy" around the neck you should be right

So sorry! Infections are tricky and do warrant a vet visit.

Alas, it is well deserved ....

What a lovely addition to your flock! Well done!

What causes Liver disease, do you know? And what is the treatment?

At any given time I have 150+ budgies .... they all have a ring code and surprisingly enough many have names but it's more of a case of "Jeff's Cobalt cock split for opaline" or "Cec's Lutino cock split blue". Of my own bred birds there is only one "Magic" and "Magic's sisters" but also "that bloody Violet hen".

Visit his webpage at www.birdhealth.com.au then go to the Contacts Us page and email him asking to register. Mention that you are a member of the BBC and use me as a reference. Also, if you've joined a club, mention that too.

my uncle has the birds in a seperate cage. the baby is the only one in the nest and is about 2 and a half weeks old. i dont know who the real plucker is as i dont know the birds as well as my uncle does and hes not the type that looks out for these things so i should say he woulldnnt know either. this one chicked brood is actually probably the 5 th nest the hen and cock have raised and i have told my uncle numerous times before to seperate the birds as its no good for them to keep laying. Also the first nest they had the had about 7 or 8 babies and the last two nests have only given a total of three so now you can get the idea how my uncle doesnt seem to follow keep your bird healthy and keep a good eye on them rules. Please dont get me wrong though he takes very good care of all of them at lets them do what they want. hes a good guy i also noticed to nite the mother wasnt with the baaby inside the nest... will the baby get cold seeing as half its feathers just aint there????DANIELA You know this is NOT funny. It's negligent behaviour and simply shameful. From Rob Marshall's book "The Budgerigar" p308: "Feather plucking in nestlings by the mother is a common occurrence that coincides with the start of a new breeding cycle. The aberrant behaviour is the result of hormonal fluctuations when the mother is preparing to produce the next clutch of eggs without the means to mobilise the required amounts of protein and minerals. Feather plucking may also be a vice for which there is no cure. Irrespective of its cause, feather picking is a sign that the hen is not ready for, and should not be allowed to enter another breeding cycle."

Do not feel bad about being the "bearer of bad news" Renee. I am not of the opinion that ignorance is bliss, it is merely ignorance. I hope the fostering works out, both for the hatched and the unhatched chick.Is lincospectin a product you can get at a pet store, or only from a vet? Yes, a vet product. I got it from Rob Marshall. I believe it's worth your while to register with him as ordinarily my local vet would charge me $50 just for the medication for one bird ... and also I have purchased doxy, baytril, F-Vite, and many more products.

Iris rings with Recessive markings? Methinks you may have a Double Factor Dominant Pied .... EXCEPT that the cere looks like a Recessive's.

Hey Dave, sorry to be the bearer of bad news earlier. You've done the right thing by fostering the young chick and moving the fertile eggs to another nest. When I had a problem with pale chicks last year I also fostered the new born chicks and treated the parents with Lincospectin. It did the trick. Good Luck!

I don't know, it was a birthday present! try Rob Marshall's website www.birdhealth.com.au

Oh my! That's impressive ..... what happened to the tried and tested formula of "Oh what a surprise!"

I have a feeling that iodine comes in salt form- what I DO know is that iodine is a "micromineral". As budgies require extra iodine I would go the tried and tested formula of either providing the iodine blocks/bells or buying seed that has the iodine added as an extra. With regards to meeting their electrolyte needs I recommend either Murphy's Minerals or F-Vite in a small container. The idea of providing a salt lick is interesting but I would want to know exactly what is in it before just hanging it up in the aviary. Hope this helps.

Again after consulting Rob Marshall's latest book, p304: "Nutritional deficiencies, brooding failure because of extreme cold, heat or dryness or any stress related disease, nest contamination and egg borne diseases are some of the possible causes of weakness induced yellow belly. Yellow Belly and Nest Contamination Yellow belly may occur in chicks that have been strong at the time of hatching but have died from an overwhelming nest infection that has entered the yolk sac through the open naval. These type of infections are more prevalent in second round hatching clutches when unhygienic nest conditions are more likely to be present." p302 "A red color to the skin indicates dehydration associated with heat stress or infection whereas a pale or white skin color is often seen with Polyomavirus infection."

Sorry to be a bit off your question, but the imbalance is not iodine deficiency but an electrolyte deficiency from mineral salts.

Thanks Heath. The fact that she has recently lost condition and is not eating is what is really worrying me. I have spoken with my vet and he has recommended crop feeding and a course of Fungilin for Mega.

Well Done! But you do realise this is the beginning of the end for you, don't you? I know of one breeder who recently told me he started drinking about the time he started with Show Budgies! Don't be surprise if you start DREAMING about your budgies

Poor Fluff, it sounds like her days are numbered. Just try to keep her warm and provide all her favorite foods. If you know how to crop feed you could try that too.

Well I suppose I could add some inane comment like "Oh that's so cute" Mostly I just read with interest - Keep it coming!

Very Nice birds Splat ~ Well Done!!!! Sorry to hear about your mum, all the best wishes for a good recovery.

If the problem is not addresses then the negative consequences will ensue. But you shouldn't have any issues if you correct it quickly. Remember the stunted growth happens 'cause the parents are feeding water to their chicks, not enough seed.

okay done. Have you come across this before Kaz?

Thank you