Finnie

I was also thinking you could try them with some seeds mixed in. Are you sure he doesn't like millet? Try clipping some in his cage for a day or two, and then once he gets a taste of it, it becomes a powerful tool in your hand. You are lucky, since he is so young, I'm sure he will get curious and try those vegetables a lot sooner than an adult bird would. Reason for edit: oops, just noticed Maesie did mention seed!

This was a fun read! I missed it back in May, because that's when I had a sabbatical from the forum to do my gardening!

Got a bigger picture ? we are allowed pictures here of 640 by 480. Yours is 160 by 120. Actually, Ratzy, I would caution you against putting up larger pictures of yourself on the internet, even on a place as family-friendly as this forum. You are young, I would be getting your parents opinion on this. But Kaz is right, bigger pictures of birds are easier for us to see.

Kaz, I am shocked and dismayed to log on this morning and find this topic. I had figured that whoever was stealing budgies in the news lately would not be able to bother your birds. I guess, like everyone else, I thought you had a pretty secure set-up. Well, I guess you will, now, huh? It's too bad you have to make it so secure that it hinders your own access to the screws. Be careful of that barbed wire, in future. Not only do we need Kaz to patrol the forum to rid us of our mistakes, we also need her to catch the local budgie thief, 'cause no one else has nabbed them yet. Just one more hat for you to wear, Kaz. Anyway, my thoughts and prayers are with you, as this will probably be affecting your sleep for a while.

Thank you, Renee. Phoebe now has a second hatchling, so that's 2 in under 24 hours for her! Man, I love these pet type hens! I have started checking on the nests a 3rd time, in the middle of the day. Mostly because some of Colleen's are getting really big, and I want them to get used to being handled. Also because then my son can play with them a bit when he gets home from school. Last night my husband and one of my daughters came to view the nests during my evening check. They each held chick #1 for a while. I think my husband was a little bit impressed. I've noticed that Colleen's 1st two chicks are getting pin feathers on their wings. Next time I'm down there, I will have to see if I can get some photos that show them well. The first two definitely have white down and are girls. The 3rd still doesn't have enough down to tell, so jury is still out.

I made one appear today!! I can't believe it! That's how it's been with all 3 hens, now! Those must be the magic words! I checked my records, and Phoebe's first egg was laid exactly 18 days ago. These hens must just like to sit from day one!

All I did was google Budgerigar societies, and some came up. A word of caution, you should remove the nest box and nest hut immediately! They will trigger breeding behavior, which will cause even underage budgies to begin trying to lay eggs. (Not good for growing little birdies.) Also, two hens will get along great with each other, as long as there is no nest or single male to fight over. I would suggest getting a 2nd male, so that everyone can have their special buddy, and each female can have her own male. (But quarantine, 1st.) I didn't think I would be much of a bird person, either, but boy, the bigger they stand, the harder they fall. Ask my kids, I always said, "No birds, ever!"

Thank you for the photos, Bert. We love looking at photos!

Rats! I am too late! I was going to say that Suede sounds Suave! But I like Memphis, too. (I always think the show type boys look like Elvis, anyway )

New hatchling report: Colleen, 6 (only one left to go!) and Finnie, 4. Still none for Phoebe, but it's still not quite time. (If I say she still has a couple of days, that will make one appear today ) Here is a picture of Colleen's nest. They are starting to get so BIG. When I hold the older two, they stand there and flap their wings. They also walk around on my hand! White down is apparent of both of the older two, so, two girls, so far. Now to hope for yellow face. Yf2 sky blue opaline would be so pretty!

That makes sense, thank you

Luisagol, Dave has said it clearly, and I will repeat it: This man JUST WANTS YOUR MONEY (Notice he is not going to breed them? Duh, it wouldn't work! )

How would I have time for it all ? Easy....my husband does the housework :rofl: So that is your secret!!! Finnie goes to look for additional husband..... :rofl: :rofl: lol if thats the answer count me in mabe its time for a man in my life BEWARE, GB, It needs to be the cleaning type, not the sit on the couch with a beer type! :rofl: They are rare.

You are lucky, I would do this a lot, to encourage it. You will probably end up with really fun birds. Oh, and welcome to here. Elly, I'm not sure what you mean. I was meaning that if Anya were holding the bird, and it was snuggling into her arm or hand, she could encourage the bird to enjoy petting and cuddling. If you meant about providing a hiding place in the cage for them, then I thought it was only because they were fledglings, and Anya was meant to remove the hiding place when the birds get a little older.

It is okay to keep them together. Even if they start mating, they probably wouldn't lay eggs unless you give them a place to lay eggs in. So just make sure you don't have a nest box, or any kind of cuddly little shelter area. Occasionally hens will lay eggs in food cups or on the floor if they have newspaper down there, but I think this is the exception, rather than the rule. And all you have to do in that case is to throw away the eggs. If it were to persist, then you would have to put a stop to it, because it drains the hen's body to produce too many eggs, but you can cross that bridge if you ever come to it. I think your pair would be happier together.

How would I have time for it all ? Easy....my husband does the housework So that is your secret!!! Finnie goes to look for additional husband..... :rofl: :rofl:

Hi, and welcome to the forum! I noticed you are listing yourself as a breeder. So I suppose you planning to add more birds to your flock? They say that it is better to breed budgies when you have three or more pairs to breed at the same time. They tend to copy off of each other, and one or two pairs by themselves might not know it is "breeding time". I had bad luck with this when I first put my only two pairs up to breed. Once I had 3 pairs, and one of them was already experienced at breeding, they all took off and are doing well. I also noticed you are in Chicago. You are lucky! Where I am there is virtually no budgerigar fancy. But I have been able to find that there are clubs in the Chicago area. You might be able to find someone who can sell you experienced, adult breeder birds. (I am assuming that as an intended breeder, you will be studying up and setting up your breeding space with the best conditions in mind to ensure your success.) It would be great if you can find other people who know what they are doing and can help you. (I mean in real life, in addition to the forum :rofl: ) Sorry to go on so long, I am just excited to see another Yank from the Midwest, here!

Seeing as most of my birds' iris rings are large and very visible, I would think the same thing as you did.

You are lucky, I would do this a lot, to encourage it. You will probably end up with really fun birds. Oh, and welcome to here.

Kaz, I would like to say, it amazes me, all of the things you do with your life. (Not just our forum and your budgies, but also your club participation, your business, your hearse hobby, your family.) You must be a fast worker, because otherwise, how would you have time for it all? And you are always around the forum to fix things for us and give us help when we need it. I often feel like I need to do whatever I can not to add to your burden. I can hardly believe you have time to deal with Yahoo,too. So if helping people on Yahoo is meaningful to you, go for it. (But I think the people here need and appreciate you more than they do over there, so don't let them sap your energy!) ** This is the opinion of a sluggish, slow person who admires people with energy who accomplish a lot**

:rofl:

GB, I have just been reading Kaz' pepper post, and decided I needed to come over here and give you a hug Don't lose heart. I don't think this is your fault, I think you are well-prepared to start breeding for show. You have put a lot of thought into it. Plus, you are very experienced on the pet side of breeding. Set-backs like this happen to everyone, and in every species. Evenutally, everything will come right, and you are doing all the right things to ensure that. And you are not ignored, but cherished, darl.

Goliath and Valentino get my vote. Do you already have a Sampson? GB, what about the great Errol Flynn, heartthrob of the silent movies, the daring sword-fighter?

Thank you, GB. When I checked them tonight, I was so excited to see a 5th little one in Colleen's nest, and then I realized, DOH! She had 5 last night!

Here is a picture of Finnie's 3rd hatchling (plus it's siblings ) You can see that it has been fed, and it looks okay to me. Phoebe's 5 eggs: The one on the upper left appears pinker, so I guess I will probably only get 4 chicks from Bailey and Phoebe. My hope is that one will be recessive pied, and then I will know that both parents are split for that. A normal with a rec. pied spot would also be helpful. Here are Colleen's two oldest. My how they have grown! #1: In keeping with my theory that the oldest is a girl, she seems to be getting white down! #2: I'm not so sure about this one being a boy, anymore, but I'm happy to wait and see. And to be proved wrong, whatever