RJT

Hi, this is my first lot of chicks, and am enquiring about the sex of them. My photography skills aren't great, taken in natural light, no flash, but kind of hard to get the chicks to stay still, they are Olympic runners! I have included Mum & Dad too. Mum (Gladys) on left, Dad (Harry) on right Chick 1 - 30 days old - (looks white but has a tinge of yellow at tips of tail & wing) Chick 2 - 28 days old (looks exactly like Dad) Chick 3 - 26 days old (looks exactly like Dad) Chick 4 - 23 days old ( I think same as Mum)

I just use the regular local newspaper, not the catalogues, and put it on the floor of the cage, and I do as Kaz does, I put the whole newspaper in, and just remove the top couple of sheets every day or so depending on how messy it is, then each weekend, I take out all the newspaper, then remove the tray from under the cage, & wash it out, along with all the toys, feeders etc, and then start all over again. I think it's just a lot easier with the newspaper, plus they like shredding it, or hiding under it. Sometimes, I'll tear a little hole in the top sheet of the paper and hide some millet - they love the millet, so inevitably, they always find it, and the hole is way bigger after it all. Keeps them amused. Robyn

Hi, growing up my grandparents had a very friendly, tame, talkative budgie...also named Peter. Apparently I lost major points in the family when I let it out one day, and it flew off. I was only about 6 years old, but interestingly enough I still get reminded of it even now, some 50 years later, by my 81 year old father! Interestingly enough, they had several budgies after that, and every one of them was called Peter, and every dog they had was called Roger! I guess it was easy to always remember their names! We had a few budgies growing up, but what prompted me to get one this time was a friend got one, and I thought what a great idea, some noise around the house, and me talking to someone/thing, rather than to myself!!! I started off with one, and now have 4 adults, and 4 chicks. Chicks and their parents are in one cage, and I brought the others in this weekend from the aviary into another cage inside, as it is getting quite cold. I am hoping to tame at least one of the chicks, to have inside. My first bird Harry, I purchased from a pet shop, but was very resistant to training, I think he must have been a bit traumatised. I then bought another 3 birds off GenericBlue, from this forum and was spoilt for choice, as she had so many gorgeous birds. I don't show, and only intend to breed the other pair once, as I have promised my friends kids two birds in spring/summer. My knowledge is limited compared to most on here, I read lots of posts, and when in doubt, message GB, who is always extremely helpful. So in this Australian family it was common to have budgies!

A great idea which I will also try out. Can I suggest you just use the lid of the container...you can put everything on top of that, and then Molly can forage, and flick it around to her hearts content! Robyn

Happy Anniversary, and congratulations, to rack up 43 years is a fantastic achievement! - Robyn

Your photo's are fantastic, so detailed, I felt as if I touched the screen I could feel their feathers...they are gorgeous!

Kingston has budgie eyes....the white iris rings...... Does he eat from your hand...my mum had a pet turtle for about 15 years years, it lived in an area off the garden, with it's own pool etc, and she would take it down treats all the time. He would hear her coming and walk out to meet her. Unfortunately a neighbourhood kid, took it and let it go down the local creek. She was extremely upset as you can imagine. And wow, he sure has grown fast in 2.5 years...he looks fun!

Very sad for you and your family Hannah, they are tiny things, but take a huge chunk of your heart. My thoughts are with you - Robyn

Hi Shell, A couple of my birds also have chewed the nesting box in the aviary, but mostly the hollowed out bit where eggs are supposed to sit. Kaz mentioned in a previous post to put a stick/wood in there to see if that helped. I pulled apart a couple of really old pegs, and put a piece of peg in there, and voila....no more chewing inside the nest box, and very little evidence of peg left! At the rate they were going, I expected them to chew right through the bottom of the nest box. Good luck!

Mine are doing it too, not really sure which one is doing the deed, but they have been nibbling away at the concave also. I noticed the bits of wood in there and knew chewing was going on, so checked how much tonight, and was really surprised how much damage they have done, when I gathered up all the bits of wood they had chewed up. At this rate, the same will happen if and when they lay eggs, they will fall through a hole in the floor! I too, will try putting some wood and perhaps some tissue paper in there to see if it stops them. They both go in and out of there all the time, so not sure who is the culprit. My money is on the hen (Edna), as she is a biter, perhaps this is where she is sharpening her beak to try out on me!

Thank you, I have just got home after a long weekend away, and although my friend who checked on the birds each day assured me everything was fine after the storms, I was very happy to see for myself, that all were doing fine. The photos below, are taken through the wire, so excuse the little black burry lines, as I am a bit paranoid about opening the door too often, as my friend recently had bird fly out, and now I am extra careful. The cock (Wally), seems to be the only one interested in the next box, he spends a lot of time poking his head in there, and standing on the outside of it. Fingers crossed he is encouraging the hen (Edna). I got these gorgeous birds off GenericBlue who kindly suggested a violet pair, and I am so glad she did, I just love the colours. I have two others in a separate cage, and they were finally placed in together recently after weeks of quarantine and seem to be getting on fine - no fighting! These are the 3 birds I got from GB when in the quarantine cage And these are Wally & Edna in the aviary. This is the other pair (not violets) (Harry & Gladys) - she is a bit of a heifer compared to him, not unlike my real life

Oh GB, How sad to hear about Fred, she was such a fighter, and so very loved. Life's lessons can be so hard for any of us, most especially for kids, as they don't always have the comprehension, but you did an outstanding job explaining it all to her. I have that fantastic memory of how the women at the chemist were so shocked, when you pulled Fred out of your pocket to explain about the syringe, and how her little head was poking out of your pocket in the car. I am sure you both have lots of these kinds of memories, and no doubt these will help ease the sadness you are both now feeling. Hugs...Robyn

Fantastic job you are all doing in helping him! We are sending lots of positive vibes to Nibbles, sounds like he is a fighter. for all of you! Robyn

Thanks, I will add the extra perches as you both recommended, and will cut the fringe immediately. I purchased the nest box, it has a concave in it, and I just added the roof & chimney for a bit of whimsey, plus I have already seen them sit on the top....guess it won't look as pretty with poop all over it, but I don't care. It makes ppl laugh when they see it. GB...the hen bit me hard when I was transferring her, even after I explained to her, how gorgeous her new home was.....ungrateful thing!

Hi, after what seems like forever, the concrete slab was laid for the aviary, and the aviary is now in place, with it's first inhabitants, (many thanks to GenericBlue, who has been so very helpful with the birds). As you can see, I painted the nest box (toxic free paint) - now all that remains to be seen is if Wally & Edna like it, or are scared of going anywhere near it! I need to get some leafy branches in there, but that will come. Any advice on what should be changed, altered, I've done wrong etc...etc..etc? There are only two birds in the aviary, and I will remove the nest box, when babies have fledged, albeit if and when this actually happens. Robyn

Congratulations, I believe a good photograph is one that immediately raises an emotive reaction, and mine was to just laugh out loud, it's fantastic!

Hi GB, just adding my good wishes, as you know I can't offer any advice, other than sending you and all that you care for positive vibes! The generosity & patience you have show me, over the last couple of weeks proves the kind of person you are, I am certainly in no doubt, that your birds, are very lucky to have you, and that they are in the best hands they could be. Your talking about your childrens understanding over Christmas brought a lump to my throat, and I am sure, that they will be as generous and caring as you, as they have had a fantastic example to learn from in you ( no matter the grumbles they may have....they are kids after all!) Robyn

Hi Ratzy, I'm Robyn, and I agree with you, birds are special! What are the names of all your animals?

The colours are gorgeous!

Perhaps I should paint the inside too? Does anyone else paint the inside of their nest boxes?

Thanks for this, Generic Blue is assisting me with a pair and or mate for my Harry, so will just be the one box, and only one pair at a time. I don't think any artists will need to fear for their jobs, because as far as my artistic skills go, I'm a great typist!! I just hope it doesn't scare the new budgies when they get here!!

Hi, I was just wondering, is it okay, to paint a mural on the nest box on the outside only. Just that most of the boxes I see are plain timber or melamine. It is a brand new nest box, and I just thought it would add another dimension instead of the plain wood. I plan on using water based child safe paints, and ensuring it is aired and dried out thoroughly before mounting it in the aviary. Robyn

Congratulations, a fantastic picture!

Thank you to both of you, I will let my friend know. There are only 3 other budgies in the aviary, and they are already watching their behaviour for any issues. As usual, everyone's advice is terrific!

My friend has a very large aviary with two breeding pair in it, who have recently laid 7 eggs. The nest box is at the top of the aviary, about 1.5 meters from the bottom. This is the first time she has tried breeding, and we were wondering, when the babies fledge, from what I have read, they learn to fly after they leave the nest. How do they get out of the nest box, it is a long drop to the concrete floor of the aviary, if they fall and it concerns me they may get hurt. Should she place some kind of perch close to the nest box, so they can climb from the nest box to this? I tried searching for a similar post, but couldn't find anything. Thanks, Robyn