LeanneR

I'm hoping someone can help me with a little problem. I have an aviary with 5 budgies. There is no nesting material available in the aviary whatsoever because I don't want any breeding going on just yet. I just went out to check my birds and one of the hens is on the perch. I look underneath her and her vent is very swollen. She does have a mate and I have caught them 'in the act' if you know what I mean recently. I'm not sure if she is egg-bound or ready to lay an egg. I'm not prepared for this and I'm not sure what to do...eeeek!

Hmmm...think I might also need to attend this auction!! And there's enough violets for all of us... The great thing about this auction is that Barb can take comfort in the knowledge that her late husband's birds will be going to good homes...

Wow, exciting stuff Amy...you must be excited!! I love the normal violet cock, he's a beauty..as is the hen. I can't wait to start breeding, soon hopefully!! I just need to get some cages cleaned and ready and do some more research but I'm hoping to have 2 pairs down by this time next month.

I have never seen a bird with scaley face or had one with it as yet so I don't know what it looks like, but even I can see something isn't right with that hen!! That pet shop owner should be reported!!! Is scaley mite contagious to other birds? she will be okay.

Looking good Liv, look forward to the pictorial evolution of the results!! :rofl:

Wow love the dom pied Kaz, he's a stunner!!

Good point RIP, pics would make the book more expensive as would the fact that it is a hardcover publication. Thanks for the feedback folks.

Thanks for the feedback Kaz. I paid $29.95 for the book and when I got home I noticed a price tag on the back which said $71.50!!! Bit pricey for a thin book!!

I was at my local bird shop today where I regularly buy my seed and I happened to ask the attendant if they sell Ivermectin. He told me that Ivermectin was not good for birds because there is a high risk of killing them if you add more than a drop. He then presented me with a bottle of Moxidectin and told me this is what I need to use, to add it to their water. Is this a suitable/effective substitute for Ivermectin? What are your thoughts?

I finally purchased a book today on budgerigars. I thought it looked good, it's written by Australian breeders and covers pretty much everything you need to know about general care and breeding. The book is written by Judy Higgins and Betty Rea. Is anyone else familiar with this book and/or the authors? I know its silly to have bought the book and then ask if it is a good one, but I couldn't help myself.

I agree with Birdluv, they are very nice coloured birds. Are you going to breed them? I think they would have nice chicks. I'm certainly no expert but if you look carefully at the photo of Jet, you can see white around the nostrils...perhaps some of the more knowledgeable folk can get in on this. Lovely birds though.

Awwww, still cute!! I didn't realise they take a few days to open their eyes.

Nawwwwww, they are just so adorable Kaz!!! You've got some priceless pics there too. Someone wouldn't happen to be a proud Nanna now would they? :rofl: They've really put on some weight in the last couple of days. I really envy you when it comes time to give them up...

Wow!!! What a wonderful, kind thing to do GB, you are so lucky!! May I ask what the name of the book is? Unfortunately, I do not have any budgerigar publications on my book shelf as of yet and I am after a good quality one that covers all aspects of budgies in Australia...if there is such one.

Another thing to remember Kaz, and getting back to basics, we can all see from the adorable photos you've put up on the forum that the puppies are obviously feeding as they have grown and they have nice little fat tummies!! A very good indication of the terrific job both yourself and Maggie are doing.

Your most welcome!! :rofl: Here's an idea...have you had a look online to see if there are any forums, like this one, that deal with dog breeding? I know there's a good site www.dogzonline.com.au which is much like this one with a forum for Australian pure dog breeders of all kinds. You will most likely find other Cavalier breeders in your area too. Worth checking out.

You would be better off with the perch running from the front of the cage to the back rather than from one side to the other. I would probably add another perch as well, that way the budgies are getting a bit of exercise flying from one perch to the other.

Kaz, I'm sorry to hear the vet is causing so much confusion for you at the moment, which you do not need. The above advice is well worth listening to and, I agree, I think they are only trying to push the canned food and calcium syrup onto you because they get benefits from sales reps. I have had dogs all my life, not that that makes me a know-all but I think at the end of the day logic will win. My father used to transport livestock and he always had kelpies, which were borrowed, to help him load and unload sheep. So often when we used to receive these dogs, they were in a terrible condition, borderline on neglected. I remember Mum used to cook up some offal (once a week) and give them nice bones, raw egg, etc, the works, and the difference in the condition of the dogs coats and their general health and happiness was unbelieveable. Because of the varied diet that you have fed Maggie, that is why she won't touch the canned junk. That would be like if your parents brought you up on fine cuisine all your life and then someone tried feeding you canned rubbish...you would turn your nose up at it too. My dogs are the same, if I try give them canned food, they just aren't interested. But, I tell you what, they know when they're getting 'proper' food, they jump up and down and make a big carry on about it. That canned junk the vet is trying to push on you would be the rubbish at the meatworks that they sweep up off the floor, it is high in fat, salt, and water and then most likely pumped with artificial vitamins and minerals. Canned food is also no good for dogs for the same reason it is no good for human babies...it is so processed and pulverised that it gives their digestive systems nothing to do or 'work' on and there's just no goodness in it at all. From what I've read, I think you are giving Maggie the best diet she could possibly have and she is getting all the nutrients she needs...naturally!! And that will make her a much stronger dog at the end of the day rather than that **** the vet is suggesting. I think you've done the right thing by giving that vet the flick, all they are doing is causing unnecessary stress to you and Maggie. You have bred dogs before and I think you know what you are doing and you seem a lot more switched on than these bogus vets. Like doctors, plumbers, scientists, etc, just because they have a piece of paper does not mean they know everything because they really don't!! Stick with what you are doing and if you are still concerned as to the diet you are feeding Maggie I would maybe have a chat with other Cavalier breeders and I'm sure they will reassure you that you are doing the right thing. Chin up mate and keep us posted, you are doing a tremendous job and don't let anyone tell you different!!

Awwwwwwwwwwww, their sooooooo beautiful Kaz, they have such sweet little faces. Hope Maggie is doing well and getting her strength back. :yes:

wat colour do males ceres turn when they are in breeding condition? or do they just stay blue????? The more knowledgeable folk can correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe, the cere on a male will turn a deeper shade of blue when he is in breeding condition. I have a male like this at the moment. The colour of his cere is coinciding with his "friendly" behaviour. :rofl:

Just a question in relation to this issue. How is everyone obtaining their Ivermectin? I rang a couple of vets to see if they sell it over the counter and how much it costs, etc, and they are all telling me I would need a prescription for it and they would need to see the animal. Sounds to me like a bit of a money-grabbing idea, they charge for a consultation as well as the Ivermectin!!!

How exciting!!! Is that the club at Enfield? Can't wait to hear how you went and what you thought :party0011:

Well I am most excited today. We've got the aviary frame up, including shelter, has been up for a while now. My partner is out painting everything and the next stage is putting the wire on. We bought a roll of aviary wire from Bunnings, it is about 1.2 metres wide with 30 metres of length. Because of the width of the roll of wire we'll obviously have to do some joining of the wire. My question is what would be the best way to join the wire? My partner has bought some joining clips and the appropriate tool to crimp them, but I'm wondering if this is the best and easiest way to join it together. Suggestions most welcome. Stay tuned for pics soon.

Wow, your first egg!! That sure is exciting Libby66. Keep us posted, with pics of course...we love pics. :glare:

Hello, and welcome to the forum. You will learn so much here. Lovely birds you have.