robyn

Hi, hens can be vicious and territorial about their nest box. Hence she killed you poor boy. :( She may toss out all nesting material to clean her nest site, I usually sneak some back in after they have laid, they mostly leave it then. You will notice as she's close to laying she will develop an "egg bum" for a couple of days, then she should lay every other day. Good luck and keep us posted with your results.

I'd say first 2 & last def. male. Not sure about your "yellow" (not sure of it's mutation) but I'd say possibly hen. All are very pretty birds. Don't know why your pied is the odd man out, possibly because of only 1 hen ? to 3 males, they may be trying to be "head man " with the female? Depending on time of year etc they will all moult on a regular basis. Your birds all look like mature birds, others can tell you sex & mutations better than I, adding more birds would be okay but they will still bond with the bird of their choice if caged together. Hope this helps a bit.

Hi, pics will help with mutations. As for a "breeding pair" it would mean they are of breeding age. Budgies don't mate for life. Breeders choose which birds will be paired for breeding (show types) but as a pet breeder I still pair up birds to get or not get certain features or colours. I cage breed so if you read up on things like colony breeding you will find it's by far the best method. As to diet I presume parrakeet mix is what you would get, seed wise, add veges and safe food, millet sprays etc until they accept it, you will find a safe/unsafe food list in the f.a.q section on here.It will take a while for them to accept new foods, ours love corn on cob, spinach, carrot tops and carrot, different grasses etc. If you want to add pics of you birds post on budgie pictures section. Hope this helps a bit.

Hi, I think the danger to chick from other hen would be a bigger risk than moving her. If your "nest bowl" would fit into your cage I'd leave chick and eggs in it and put it into cage as is. Maybe put Mum & Dad in first then add bowl. Once they are in cage she may use a nest box after other eggs have hatched, When I clean my nest box's I take out chicks to a temp box, clean the box, put in new wood shavings etc then replace chicks, haven't had a problem, yet. If your cage doesn't allow this I'd prepare the nest box in cage. Add Mum & Dad to cage. CROSS FINGERS transfer chicks and eggs( without much movement) from bowl to nest box. Them keep really close eye to see Mum goes into box. Maybe if she gets to rear a chick or 2 she may stop the chronic egg laying. Over to you, but let us know how you go whatever you decide. P.S. as to putting in nest material, you could add seed, rolled oats or wood shavings etc but she may toss it out,worth a try. Stainless steel would be very slippery and chick could end up splayed without something to get a grip on in the bowl.

Rosy this is posted on the wrong forum, but to answer your post. The problem is not washing out your box's but GETTING RID OF THE MICE. Your problem won't go away until you have mouse proofed your aviary/cage whatever. I'd take out your nest box's until you have no more mouse activity around your birds. It's heartbreaking to see your eggs chicks etc. eaten or injured when it can be avoided. FIRST STEPS- FIRST GET RID OF THE MICE. IN DOING SO MAKE SURE YOU USE BIRD SAFE TRAPS OR BAITS WHERE YOUR BIRDS CAN'T ACCESS THEM. After you do this re post on say health tips etc or breeding tips to say how you went. Good luck with it.

Thanks Finnie, he's a real puzzle he has a brother in aviary and they are ALWAYS together, I never see any evidence of chewing etc the brother even feeds him at times. I hadn't thought of pulling out affected flights, maybe I will try that (if I'm game) and see if that helps. I thought they may be lacking in something but then why only one bird? Thanks Nadene, if it's not one thing it's something else to keep us guessing, or learning I guess. l.o.l.

Some pics of Mum no2 not good pics sorry

For the birds to die so quickly, although they can be ill for some time before showing symptoms (fluffy, hunched not eating etc). First thing if ill, heat lamp. I'd say possibly lung/air sac mite infection. I'd get some Ivomectin for birds NOW and put one drop behind head of each bird you have left. The ill ones could have passed the infection to your other birds, not showing symptoms at this stage. The Ivomectin should control any internal Worms, Mites etc. check your birds for any external mites etc. if any of your other birds start to act in the same way an avian vet may be your best bet if the Ivomectin did not work. You will have to act quickly though or you could lose them. Good luck with them and let us know how you go.

Wonder what "our" buds would make of it. Haven't seen them in oz. YET. Jodie don't forget the calling card on your back, just out of YOUR sight but in full view of others l.o.l.

This is last of my winter bred chicks. Dad. As far as I know green normal,maybe / cinnamon. Mum. ( was told ty.2 Cobalt rec pied). SHE ALSO HAS SOME SPANGLE FEATHERS ON HER BACK. chicks in nest. Note violet pied. Where would violet pied come from? These pics look large to me hope they are okay.

Great news Wendy, you could maybe give Dad a second chance next season. Maybe you could post some pics when the chicks are bigger?

So sorry about George, even in a week you get attached to them. Don't give up with your plans to breed, we all lose birds for one reason or another sometimes without knowing the cause. As for the vegies, keep trying it took 2 yrs before mine decided to try carrot not just the leaves. l.o.l.

Hi welcome, you have found a great spot here. We love pics of buds on here also.

I think George looks fine, maybe his tail feathers are a bit messy from the nest box. I'd see how he goes after he has had his first moult. Nice little fellow.

To add to B.J.'s comments, WE can also pick up some diseases from birds. I don't think it would be very wise letting her into your mouth. They say even kissing your bird could be risky. I'd find other games for her as B.J suggests..

Glad your chicks are doing well. I try to get pics of chicks in nest but they move around so much all I get is blurred images l.o.l.

Do you have a picture of the whole bird? To get an idea of it's general appearance, also do you know age of bird? It should moult at roughly 3 mths of age.

It is important for them to have access to direct sunlight. I can't give you exact time etc but put outside in cage for a few minutes a day should be okay. mine are in an aviary, one end is totally wired so they can spend as much time out there as they like, which is quite a lot, they love being out in their "play area", sometimes they stay out most of the day. There are some articles about this somewhere on here try f.a.q. P.s don't leave them outside in strong hot sun for long though.

Well are there any updates on J.B. boudoir yet?

Very pretty chicks, glad Dads scaly face doesn't seem to have worried him feeding bubs. Has it cleared up entirely?

Made this post early sept. the bird in question is still lacking in flight feathers. I have been reading various reports on the theory of french moult but it seems to affect young birds, just fledging etc. Can anyone shed some light on what it could be in an older (16mths) or so bird? I've dosed him with Ivermectin. Sprayed him with mite spray although I could not see any sign of mites. He's been through other moults and feathered up normally until now.

Is he a first time Dad? maybe it's just inexperience at work. I'd keep Dad away at this point and let Mum rear them. Or do you have another nest you could foster chicks into?

Looks good Nadene maybe you can add on as needed. Watch out until you can get a safety door added somehow. Also a 'lock, or like my sisters G.Daughter "who just wanted to pat them" and let them all out !!!

Hope the meds kick in soon to see if she can improve. If she's letting you know she doesn't like them, there is still fight left in her. Good luck with her.

Maybe let nearby neighbours, pet shop etc. know to be on the lookout for Mum Can you let us know how old chicks are? Are they in a cage with just the "family" group or with others birds.