robyn

Sorry you have lost your little mate,12/1.2 yrs is wonderful. glad you have decided to get another bird. Good luck with your choice.

Some nice birds there Sharky, love the pair in 2nd photo.

Just an aside to this question Finnie. If a pair does have 2-3 rounds in a row. Is there any reduction of quality etc. in later chicks or is it just the toll it takes on parents?

Hi F.Panda, my hens will sometimes start to lay second round before all chicks from first round have fledged. You have to watch she doesn't attack last chicks to lay again. Helps to leave Dad in charge of chicks, in cage but outside nest box.(if they are ready to leave nest). If you have paired her to one Cock and raised a clutch and want to swap partners, I'd give her a rest from first clutch then pair her with second Cock to bond etc.if she's still in breeding condition.

Thanks Finnie, as a precaution I caught all my birds and dosed them all with Ivamectin. All looked o.k but better safe than sorry. I usually do mine about every 3 mths or so, to keep any worms etc at bay.

Have read f.a.q but can't find if you need to treat cages etc or just the bird? Do the mites only infect bird or cages as well? Is the spray on mite treatment okay to use on birds not yet showing signs of scaly face etc.?

Do you have a new photo of him? As last post is nearly 12 mths ago he has probably changed with a couple of moults.

It depends Dilster are you talking aviary birds or just a pet or two in a cage? With my aviary I have hanging feeders and water bottles. They will last at least a week with nobody having to enter aviary. My neighbour feeds our dog and checks on aviary to see no birds are hurt or caught etc. if so, she can enter aviary but I never go and leave nesting birds. Cage birds would be different, maybe you could leave them with someone or take them with you,

He's looking great again sweet pea. Hope he doesn't have any more drama's. Double check doors and windows when he's out if your not clipping his wings again.

He's lovely Clouds, I have bred birds very similar. The spangles seem to develop into really nice size birds, they take a while to mature but you look at them one day and say"Boy he's nice". Unfortunately mine seem to end up mostly cocks so I have to sell them as I need more hens. l.o.l.

Hi Dilster, she laid 1st egg, 1st round 14-3-2012 Rared those chicks, laid 2nd round from 11-5-2012, let Dad finish off last 4 chicks. Put her out in kindy cage with bigger chicks to let her have a spell before putting her back in Aviary she laid 2 more eggs off perch. She is only small pet type bird, and not the best looking bird but she's a wonderful Mum and breeder.

Yes Finnie, definately spangle.

Found copy of leap year calendar, a bit battered but readable.

I think so as well Nubbly, I love to see what the little ones develop into, especially when you don"t know what the parents are split too

Hi Dilster see if this works for you. It's a copy of calendar I downloaded some time ago. It works as follows if your hen laid on say Jan 1 the line below tells due date. I did have a leap year one as well, working on it.

Just to add Dilster, as you are new to breeding (I think) it's not a good idea to remove eggs from nest to check for fertility. When you get a bit more experience at it you could, at the moment just check any eggs IN THE NEST without risking addling or chilling the eggs. My view only.

Very well done Dilster, bet you can't wait for the birds to set it off nicely. AND THEN add more pics.

I just use a little keyring torch,( it takes 3 AAA batteries in a cylinder) It's small enough to use in nest box without disturbing the eggs. If you position it right you can see if egg is fertile.

Very nice, should colour up more after first moult. Doing well to be sitting on shoulders already.

Hi if you check out the safe and unsafe foods in q.a.q. it will list the safe fruit and veg. but you have to keep trying with them, they don't take it first go.

Thank you Dave, it's not very severe at this stage so hopefully by the time his quarantine is up he may be clear of it.

Hi all, Have been given 2 birds . One has scale on legs. I have dosed it wth Ivomectin, vasaline on legs as well in the meantime. What I want to know is do you have to pick the crusty bits off after treatment or will they drop off etc? Also what time frame does it take to know if the mites are eradicated. Haven't had to treat for this before.

They look like they could be nice birds Jono, not so your friend for letting your little fellow get into that state without treating it. Maybe he/she could do with a bit of reading on here as well.

Wow Budgie owner what a great little mimic you have there. My Dad had a beauty that could talk like that, good work I know it takes a lot of patience to get them to talk so well.

2 I think . This round, you will have to tell me Kaz. l.o.l Just posted pics of 2nd round under "My new Chicks" in budgie pics. after a lot of bother with p.b. (not brilliant pics.) some not fledged yet.