Ratzy

I just checked my birds and Marigold has the barring too. I couldn't get a good photo of it as she kept flying about and I didn't want to scare her in case she is carrying an egg. ( she looks egg bum) Skye has it too. I thought they grew out of it?

I can't say I have any experience with rec pied opalines so I'll wait til some mor experienced members get here.

Found this add in the paper BIRD SALE Western District Branch A.S.A Saturda, 24th April 11am-2pm AT HAMILTON SHOWGROUNDS All varieties parrots, finches,ect. No all wire cages allowed No poultry Refreshments available Entry $2 Inquiries 5572 3852 Just wanted to warn anyone whos going to buy carefully. It is on every year and last year I bought 2 sick birds who killed off most of my flock. There are a few dodgy breeders selling their budgies. One gave me bad advice, to put the sick budgies straight in with my flock. It is Vic. I will probably be there. I think I put this in the wrong section but oh well.

Could be true... Skye and Marigold were pet shop birds ( got really lucky there).

I'm not sure with gender... my guess is female. Looking great!

Makes sense. I could need some help if I had to do that. Also is this normal?

I've read you shouldn't start out line breeding, but if it does keep it's tail then I may have to. I have a picture of the secondry tail feathers for you.

She has a violet tinge on her, hard to see.

Thanks, so there is a chance for sky? As I think SKye is split violet.

One parent was dark green, one cobalt. I got, 50% green, 25%mauve and I think this bird is the 25% cobalt.

Hmmm.... I can see what you mean. But I hate waiting.

I'm thinking cobalt, as both parents have 1 dark factor.

So that black isn't meant to be there?

You could always pick them off the wire one by one... blowing them to cinders is a better idea. Wouldn't you have to remove the budgies before? In case they got in the way.

Any more pics?

Grrr... just lost my whole post on how bad and why this pet shop was bad. Lets just say 12 budgies to a tiny cage I wouldn't consider housing one budgie in. 80% with some medical condition. The rest were visibly heathly, but could have contracted some disease from sick birds. Seed and water dishes under the only perch. I'm worried as the bird manager breeds them herself yet can't tell a normal from opaline. Conditions are horrible as there is a LOT of built up dropping between cages and the cages themselves I think are metal and a bit rusted. I am never ever again going to that pet shop to buy a bird! They have sold me a few sick budgies which all died within the month ( that was when I was eight)!

Well, more pics. This is an older picture. And when the babies are eating on their own. And I took this photo and I didn't realise that it had the green tail. Just a note. Chubba Chubs got his name because he was always the first to be fed and when he called for food his cheeks fluffed out. Marigold and Skye are starting their second clutch. Today I caught them mating three times and I was away for half the day! Marigold is arranging the box just like she did last time, all material in the corners piled up! She is also chewing the top of the box. Will keep you updated. I'm expecting some eggs soon I hope.

Hmmm.. my breeding expections were normals, greens, blues and maybe violet. I didn't know my birds had mauve in them. Or opaline, for that matter.

I found a picture of a sky violet and it looks just like Lexi. Or is she a light cobalt? This is actual colour and not flushed out by the camera. So, is she a cobalt or sky violet. If she is a sky violet could Skye be split to mauve and marigold violet bred. Just wanted to know. :question:

Imagine what they'd say if I came in with a leaflet. They wouldn't be to happy if I mentioned that the source they were getting their birds off was unreliable, seeing as they breed them themselves.

Great!

How do you tell a clear body from a normal?

Your bird NEEDS an avian vet! Please take it to one as soon as possible! I can't access the link.

Is that unusual too? I was thinking that.

I agree with Kaz, move chicks not eggs. If they all hatch he would have a large brood!