robyn

This is Aquarius and Skye. This is picture of first five, before I moved 2 biggest, one more hatched to-day making 6 from 10 so far.

New mums are good about accepting chicks. The thing is you never put a fully fearthered one ( 3-4 weeks ) in a foster mums nest as they are seen as intruding adults. Anything younger up to 2 and a half weeks ) is fine. Thank's Kaz been shopping and just checked again. Everyone is settled down in both nests so just have to wait for rest to arrive. :question:

Went against my own plan and swapped two oldest. There is only one egg (miscounted before she only had 2 chicks one egg left) to hatch in new nest possibly tomorrow.Now any others that hatch from Aquarius will all be closer in size and age, not getting squashed etc.by older chick's.Put 2 chick's over before lunch. Just checked all chicks nestled to-gether and Mum was sitting on all no probs. so far.New test for me, haven't tried this before, my heart was in my mouth in case new mum had hurt them. Thank's for help. :question: Thank's ratsy, Yes that's why I thought I'd try it now because I didn't want to over stress Aquarius and the hen is only smaller pet type so thought it might help all round because other hen had 4 clear eggs, i'd say last of her clutch because others have hatched 2 days apart so maybe last few were not fertilised. Same thing last time with her she laid 9 hatched 4. My "long feathered" lot, this time she's with a pet type so hope that helps problem. :question:

Thank's Kaz, didn't think of swapping older ones. Aquarius had 2 hatch same days as other nest's, his 3/4 chick's if I move them they will be similar size and leave little one's with mum. That will only give nest 2, 5-6 to rear and aqu. 8 if all hatch. thanks again Kaz.

Hi all, As some would know I have aquarius & mate with 5 chicks so far plus 5 eggs, all look fertile. I also have another pair with 2 chicks plus 2 fertile looking eggs. I removed 4 clear eggs from pair 2 to-day, those eggs were laid on same days as corresponding eggs in aquarius's nest,( if last 2 hatch in order). My question is, I think 10 chicks would be a really big challenge for pair 1. if they all hatch. To foster a couple or three to nest 2. is it better to swap eggs? or leave it until eggs hatch and swap chicks over? My thought's were as pair 2 still have a couple of eggs would they accept more eggs rather than chicks? I don't want to risk any of aquarius's chicks but think 10 would be a big load to rear. All advice welcome.

Love the beautiful soft look of this one Kaz.

Congratulations on a great picture" Budgiegirl" good job.

Thank's Ratsy and Kaz. No visible cinnamon, but in picture below of 2 chicks (I somehow added it to megan's reply). The little chick is no2 it HAS plum eyes, can't see in this picture.down looks whiter, could that be an opaline HEN? If I've picked up anything!!! as Dad is opaline? p.s. now 4 hatched.

Thank's Ratsy, there are four hatched now, well fed and growing quickly. Kaz thought first chick could be plum eyed, it's dark but checking pics my second one IS plum. I think that's cinnamon or pied? Can't see cinnamon, hen is just norrmal sky-blue don't think she's split. Aquarius is yellow faced, opaline, spangle. Maybe other splits as well who knows, can't see cinnamon on him. Still trying to get a handle on genetics.

Hi Elly, No our cable ties are a clear or black plastic type. One end just slip into the other and pulls up into a loop with little ridges. I didn't cut surplus off about 4-6in long and they swing of it, hang off branch and flip it etc. l.o.l.

Thank's for replies, just thought we might be able to recycle them somehow. Mine have great fun trying to chew the cable ties I've got holding branches to-gether, they haven't chewed those yet!! They have fun swinging off the tail of them etc. They also love the swings I made to Kaz directions. Also bangles strung on chain at intervals and climb from one to the other and back, hang off them climb through them etc.

Sorry for your loss craig, they are only little scraps of things, but they sure get into your heart. Hope your family find a lovely new friend, but your angel will stay with you.

Hi Keith, He's beautiful, my Dad had one years ago exactly the same. He would talk beautifully and clear as a bell, advance australia fair, give us a cup of tea, give us a kiss etc. not just a word here and there whole sentence he lived until he was 10yrs. Dad was heartbroken when he died and never tried to teach another one. Which was a shame.

Hi, I give mine names as to looks, e.g. hulk because he's a big green bird. Aquarius because he's Aqua,Snowy pue white,cashew because she was the size of a cashew hatched, etc. it's likemy new chick's, no1 is annie IT hatched on our anniversary, may be andy if needed.no2 satin for sat. hatching,sunny for sunday etc. It's a matter of choiice, hubby thinks I'm nuts but It's part of the fun so who cares. l.o.l.

Hi All, wondering if anyone has used computer discs to make toys for budgies? Does anyone know if they are safe or not and if birds can chew them?, thanks.

Thank's Nubbly, just goes to show how everyone here can help others. I would never have thought a bird could have hormone probs. Matt said his bird was sterile unfortunatley, so maybe mine was younger or hadn't had the trouble as long, either way he helped put me on the right path and got a great result.

Great job Ratsy. Your bubs are beautiful. I've been having trouble with my computer and haven't caught up on the forum's. Why do you need to sell any? If cage is that big it would be a great family aviary.Six isn't a big number to keep as pets.

Just checked again Kaz but think they are dark. I'm just so pleased to have a chick and counting, from him. Thank's G.B., from look of other eggs I think there's a few more to come, here's hoping. I've got 24 eggs in 3 nests, 3 due to-morrow, one from each nest, 3 other pairs thinking about it. the difference between plum eyes and black if it helps and red of course is lighter Thank's Kaz, I haven't handled chick yet but looks dark, no two arrived to-day. All going well so far. Hi Megan, thanks for your reply. We knew Aquarius was a cock but his cere went brown. Matt(on forum) had seen this problem. It was hormonal problems. He advised the use of soluble iodine to try to fix it. It worked a treat. BUT Matt's bird was sterile so that was why I was so anxious to see if my fellow was okay. Well 2 chick's now and 8 more eggs I think we can say 100% success!! :PTook this picture to-day, when enlarged eyes look dark. but could new chick's down be opaline or not? Thought I'd have a stab at it.It looks whiter than first chick. No matter if it's not, can't believe the size difference in 2 day's.

Just checked again Kaz but think they are dark. I'm just so pleased to have a chick and counting, from him. Thank's G.B., from look of other eggs I think there's a few more to come, here's hoping. I've got 24 eggs in 3 nests, 3 due to-morrow, one from each nest, 3 other pairs thinking about it.

That's a job well done Joel. You will learn heaps as you go. Keep posting and reading here and you won't go wrong. You've already proved that. Just a thought, if you check breeding box from outside cage, you will have to watch adult birds aren't in box before you open it. They are like greased lightening and you wouldn't want to lose either parent if you've got eggs or chicks. Well done.

:dbb1: AQUARIOUS'S FIRST CHICK!!! 9 MORE POSSIBLE, SIBLINGS TO COME Introducing: 1-4-2010 at 7.30 a.m. !2.30 p.m. 1 day old. Thank you Matt!!!

All very pretty birds at that!

Glad we don't go that low in winter, around 10deg. is about our lower temp maybe 7deg rarely. I still lost one chick overnight last season, not covered by Mum I think. I decided to try before winter sets in, they should be fledged before it's really chilly. Good luck with your brood, I did candle some and looked fertile so hear's hoping. p.s. don't much like your summer temp either l.o.l. 30's tops for me.

Hi, I've been wondering if you could get an even darker bird than your Grey Green? I have 2 very dark marked opaline's one dk green one various shades of dk blue, as well don't know what mutations would bring about an even darker bird? Just wondering.

Hi All, decided to try this time of year as well,(mid north coast nsw) Thought I could get some down and out before it turns really cold. I've got six pairs down eggs in 3, 8 x6 x6 so far. First due about 4th April hope others get a move on or I'll put them back until Aug or so. Hoping for a good few chicks soon.