Trish

Hi there, the T.C.B. cock and the Albino hen have been put together tonight with their new breeding box. I have been told that this mix of hen and cock should produce T.C.B. babies? So far the hen is preening the boy and they look very cosy, it is so cute! I have put kitty litter in the breeding box and will be also putting in rolled oats. Their cage is quite big, I have 5 of them now set up side by side but only these guys are set for breeding as I though I'd better crawl before I walk (better for a first time breeder). I was wondering what to expect now? Any advice is very welcome, Trish

I just wanted to say thankyou again to everyone for their advice. The hens in question are much better. I think they were fretting after all that! The green hen has lost some feathers around her neck but this was the case since I got her. Here are some pics, as you can see they are no longer fluffed up too!

Wow Kaz, I love that idea, as easy to obtain as kitty litter and all natural! Trish

I think you may be right....the first hen that was unwell is looking so much better. Maybe whatever it is has a 3 day or so turnaround? I have given them a double dose of vitamins (says it is okay on bottle) and they are partially covered until the Hospital cage is done. I am keeping good hygeine practices and they are far away from the other birds. Thanks so much for all your help everyone and I'll keep you informed. I am still waiting for cagefronts to be delivered but for now I have pulled apart a cage and used the front piece for the front of the hospital cage.

I will try the breeder first and he might have a vet that he goes to. The one that I took buddy to was the reason she died. Not a good ided at all

The birds in question are doing well today. We are making a Hospital cage as we speak, as it is an ultimate necessity. They are eating properly, pooping properly and the like and seem chirpy. I am wondering if change from Aviary to cage and then to another cage is to blame, maybe they are fretting a little. They are semi covered at the moment and it seems to be giving them comfort. I have started them on vitamins and am wondering if I should give them Psittavet powder that I obtained three weeks ago from the vet when buddy was ill, she only got one dose then passed away.

My hubby is a Dave too!

No dirty vent. Not sure about egg bum, I am too inexperienced. I have put them in their own cage, and a blanket on top. We made the breeding boxes on the weekend but did not get up to the hospital cage as I was waiting to recieve the cage fronts I ordered. I do not have Avical either. Hopefully they are o.k. till tomorrow and that the breeder has arrived home? I am so glad I have kept the new ones away from the rest, I just hope I have been cautious enough. I will try and find a lamp to put as close tot heir cage as I can. Should I move them away from the rest.I think it may be too late as they were all in together whan I first got them for 24 hours?

Two hens from the 10 budgies I bought off my local breeder are fluffed up and panting. It started off just being one. I have read here somewhere that it might be because they are ready to lay? I called the breeder, he is away for a few days. I do not have an Avian Vet within a 400km radius! The hens in question are still eating and drinking. Also all the birds are going through a heavy moult, I have no idea if this is any help? Thanks, Trish.

I thought so too poor babies...sitting on the counter and can't get away

The budgies in this ad I came across in the trading post, have they got french molt or a bad job of wing clipping? http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Pets-Horses/...ckToResult=true

They are adorable!

That is such a great idea Kaz! I'm sure most pet owners do not intentionally neglect their animals, peoples circumstances change and sometimes people think there is no one to turn to for help.

Birds needing rescue on Adopt a Pet, I check every day and these have just arrived, the owner was sick an unable to care for them any longer. Rescue birds click here..

Great idea, often breeders have birds that are older etc. They prefer them to go to homes where they wont be bred.

I'm not so sure that Budgies fall into the unwanted category, not where I am from anyway, almost everyone I know has a bird of some type and loves them! I dont think there are rescue centres as such because there doesn't need to be. With the exception of Parrots and Cockatoo's however because when people get them they don't realize how much attention they need!

Petshops are notoriously the dumping ground of birds with issues from breeders. As they pay very little for budgies, breeders will sell their best from home, through clubs and privately advertised. The worst go to petshops as a rule due to the low price paid for them. You can "rescue" a budgie from a breeder and end up with a better bird for less money. Petshops rely on impulse buys and people feeling sorry for tht birds. So true, my daughter's little boy budgie "Ben" is a great example! His feathers are coming back now and he just made a "kiss" noise to me as I am always making smooch noises to him! When I got him he was being picked on by the other birds and had hardly any feathers, he was in a draft and running aroung the bottom of the cage because he couldn't fly! I'm a sucker :rofl: I paid $20 for Ben and then just recently bought some 2-3 year old show type budgies from a breeder for $10 each and they are so beautiful and healthy! And if I ever have a problem he will help me out.

SPECIAL :star: A creamino sounds lovely!

She is so pretty! Have you thought of a name?

Others are more experienced and can probably answer that better than I but it sounds to me you might just have a girl as their cere can look a bit brown and crusty at times or it could have scaly face which is relatively easy to treat. Best to get a picture up when you can, for the more experienced members to see and I am sure they can help. I am not sure about the scratching though I noticed mine scratch a bit but it is just all part of them preening and maybe molting (getting new feathers). I gave my rescued budgie some Millet seed (comes in a green box from supermarket, Trill brandI think) it comes like a stick with seeds on it, might give birdy a little pick me up?

Welcome and good on you for helping the little thing out, post a picture soon and we can tell you if its a boy or girl and then you can name the lil' thing! Maybe it is just molting and looks scruffy, it could have had a hard time when it got lost, nothing a bit of tender loving care won't fix! I lost a budgie a couple of weeks ago (blue and white) and I hope that she has been found too and is being cared for, they dont survive well in the wild so your little one is lucky Its o.k. to post the health problem in this same thread when you post a picture if you like. Cheers, Trish.

Welcome....he is a very lovely boy indeed!

She is very pretty!

Me too! The boy has lovely eyes, still a bit of a baby

Gouldian finches are beautiful...you must look them up on google! They too make a beautiful noise.