Amy S

okay, thank you all :sadsorry: I may as well use these ones up so they don't go to waste, They are uncoded ones as I am yet to organise getting coded ones. I think I only purchased 10? Or was it 20? I sooo have pregnant brain it's not funny - can't remember anything at the moment

Ooh Very flash, congratulations Finnie!! :sadsorry:

Just checking, as I have blue rings, and my chicks are just starting to hatch, should I use these or get new ones? I'm a tad confused with it all haha :sadsorry: sorry

awww Finnie your pictures are so beautiful - I love pinkies! Well done :sadsorry:

:rip: oh gosh I'm so sorry Kaz, that chick looked good too. Not having a good time with your birds these last two days :sadsorry: The rest are looking brilliant, such a shame to lose a chick like that.

Photos as requested :sadsorry: All photos are taken without a flash. Perfect lighting in there at the moment Hello my darling, yes I can see you - these two were taken yesterday whilst still incubating the hatching eggs I see pinkies! Dad doing his thing - he fllled one to almost bursting point and I think he was starting to fluff up over them to keep them warm Pinkies! Mum keeping them all warm She has been taking in bits of grass seeds that I have been placing in their cage so I thought i'd put some in her nesting box to help her. My hand was to stop the cock coming in briefly whilst I was trying to take pictures - most of the other pictures have him hovering around. Oh and Kaz, I took the other egg out that I was telling you about. It went a very strange colour and at the risk of possibly losing that chick - i'd much rather lose one than all of them if it was a bad egg. It still had no movement inside and had dark patches inside. I cracked it open and there was a perfect little chick in there, but it had a funny film of murky/milky smelly stuff around one whole side of it, tiniest bit of yolk and one part was very dry.

I HAVE PINKIES!!!!! :sadsorry: :rip: Two gorgeous wonderful tiny little pink squeaking bodies were waiting for me this morning when I checked the nest box. I knew they were starting to hatch as I candled them yesterday but it was still a nice surprise. Both have full crops, and both are a nice healthy colour. Both mum and dad are in the nest box tending to their new babies. Sooo happy! Mum is ever so gentle with them and for a maiden hen; doing a fantastic job. So proud

Ohhh Kaz, I am so so sorry to read this. She was a lovely hen, I was fortunate enough to have seen her and I know how very special she was to you. :sadsorry: What a sad and unfortunate thing to happen. I know she can't be replaced but she will live on in your memories and all her offspring. What was her favorite tree/bush she ate? It could be a peppermint tree or gum? Maybe a lemon? You could plant some of her favorite seed at the base too - being in a pot would mean it won't grow wildly everywhere unless it self seeded but by that time you'd have been able to harvest for your budgies RIP Omelette. You will be greatly missed by Kaz, your beloved friend :rip:

looks like a hen to me too

Aww they're so cute, I love when they're at the half fluffy half little feathers stage The hen is lovely

The yellow bird is NOT a DF spangle............it has wing markings and colour on the body. It may be a dilute. The green budgie is whats called a NORMAL GREEN. I was going to say it wasn't a DF when I saw it. I thought it was possibly a dilute or greywing (or something similar haha ) can't quite tell without seeing proper picture. In regards to the sexes at first glance I was going to say both female, but looking at the yellow one, that could be male. Can you get close ups of the ceres for us? Front on pictures? They are very cute

I agree with Splat - ring the airport - they are the ones you'd need to speak to in regards to quarantine and exporting birds. Doesn't matter if it a kangaroo, koala, possum or a budgie or even other forms of animals an livestock - they all require quarantine. The government isn't being unfair - it's being safe. Or maybe contact AQIS - Australian Quarantine Inspection Service. They would be able to tell you if the airports can't.

I too would love to know - there seemed like a fair few birds there! I was thinking of purchasing a few if I could but I forgot about it oops haha I've been a bit busy anyway with my birds so its probably best I didn't get any

Thanks everyone - I am very happy and excited by all this. Here are some pictures of my breeding pairs so far - some of the pictures are old because the birds weren't very co-operative haha White DF Melanistic Spangle Hen to Violet Normal Cock Pairing Pleased to say these two have 6 fertile eggs. Very very happy - fingers crossed I also end up with 6 gorgeous little pinkies. Cock when I first put him in the aviary (February 2010) Hen whilst she was still in quarantine (March 2010) Pairing up in the aviary Result of pairing up and placing in breeding cabinet All eggs definitely fertile - top right egg was the last one laid and I saw the spidery veins and tiny beating heart in it yesterday Pictures of other pairing will be here soon

You have some beautiful birds Minka is a brilliant example of a Melanistic...assuming that one is Minka and not the Nephew haha If I manage to breed a Melanistic hen out of my DF and you would like one, I will gladly help you out

I live in Kelmscott which is about 5 mins from Armadale so I shall keep a look out :question:

On the 6th of August I put two breeding pairs down into my breeding cabinets. I'd love to have more pairs down but at the moment I only have the two cabinets. Pair one is a Violet Normal Cock to my White DF Spangle Hen. So far they have 6 eggs with 3 possibly 4 being fertile. Their first egg was laid on the 14th August so I am expecting the first one to hatch next Tuesday, possibly Wednesday if all goes right. They are a fantastically bonded pair whom I originally didn't want to place together but as they had bonded so well I figured why not? She is a very gentle hen and nibbles my fingers but has never once bitten me. She even stays in the nest box whilst I peer at her eggs - she graciously moves out of the way ever so gently and preens her feathers or nibbles my fingers. The cock is a little more touchy - but he too lets me peek in to check things are going okay. He looks after the hen beautifully and I am glad I let them stay together. The cocks parentage is his father is a YF Grey Normal and his mother is an Opaline Cobalt. I am unsure of the hen's history as I purchased her from over east. I will try and get the info from the breeder somehow. Pair two is a Cobalt Normal Cock to my Grey Opaline Hen. No eggs as yet but could be any day as she has egg bum and massive poops. They were a pair I put together and they have bonded well. He spends alot of time with her in the nest box. The hen's history: Her father is a Green Spangle/Lacewing and her mother is a Lacewing. I don't have the cock's history as I purchased him from an MBC Auction - but I can get the details. I do have pictures - but I can't find my cable to transfer them - as soon as I find the cable, pictures shall be up I hope this proves to be a successful journey but I am open to the idea that things may not go right.

I used to have a breeding pair of Mini Lops - they were the best little rabbits I've owned out of all the types. I had a little black buck and a Blue fawn Doe. They produced some beautiful babies. The other types I have had have been a New Zealand Rex Buck and his Dwarf x NZ Rex Doe - they produced some beautiful babies but I much prefer the Mini Lops.

If this topic had a like button (just like facebook) I'd hit it many many times. I can't thank you enough, Kaz, for being brave enough to discuss such a touchy subject. I for one am all ears when it comes to things like this. I am lucky enough to not have had to do this, but now I know if I ever need to in an emergency I am able to do so. Some of us can't afford vets bills, or meds etc and instead of letting a bird suffer - we now know a way to help them. I for one am very grateful and believe it's something we have a right to know about - regardless of the "Oh my gosh that's so wrong and inhumane" type comments. Sure someone (or two or three) may give negative remarks - but I honestly believe most people here would be thankful that this subject has finally been brought up and the secretiveness broken.*Hi 5 Kaz* :doh: :angel: OH and I'm very sorry for the loss of your hen - she looked a beauty from what I can see in the photos

Oh sorry RIP, it's a Merrino. Forgot to add the breed whoops. No mixed colouring in the coat and it is a purebred. It reminded me of a goat's eyes because the pupil was so clear - much like the way you described the cows, PT. But it did look strange, but still very cute. It's the first blue eyed sheep I have ever seen. I tried googling pictures and information but was rather unsuccessful

Hi everyone, I was down at the farm this weekend and it's lambing season. There were so many frisky little bundles of white bouncing around the paddocks :rofl: There was a brand new hour old lamb there - It had blue eyes. I've never seen a blue eyed lamb before. Is this normal or a mutation/defect? It's such a gorgeous little one and is a twin, but the twin has brown eyes. I'm just curious as the people who own the farm have no idea as the sheep are being leased on their property.

Oh wow wow!! That is a beautiful story Maesie! How wonderful that Lucia was fortunate enough to find your caring soul and nature. She is so very lucky to have found you, I admire your perseverance with her - such a delicate area (the eyes) and to help her the way you have unconditionally is absolutely beautiful She is a gorgeous little rat, without the eyes she looks even more special. I would think she will be eternally grateful to you and oneday will repay your kindness - I bet she has already with her loving little nose and inquisitive little body *pictures little Lucia snuggled up in the crook of your arm or her wet little nose nuzzling your neck* :grbud: It's just an amazing journey! How is she managing no sight? Her other senses would have kicked in and she'd have no problems getting around would she? *sigh* I love it, thanks so much for sharing

Awwwwww They're soooooooo cute!! :yes: So tiny and scrunched up into little balls and their faces are so so sweet They are beautiful Kaz, You're so lucky!

What about hanging some Cd's around? I'm not sure if that would work with an owl but it does work with other predatory birds - scares them off. Or maybe some blinds? OR A double layer of overhead netting separated by a 5- to 6-inch (12- to 15-cm) space may be used keep owls away from penned birds. I have seen this done with a few aviaries and chook pens. I have also seen at a Restaurant in Fremantle here uses fishing line strung about above tables and chairs which prevents seagulls from landing and perching where people are eating out doors - maybe this could work too? Or a fake owl or hawk? :kiss: hahaha i'm just guessing on what could or couldn't work. It's rather disturbing that the owl is swooping you and your children :star: - if it keeps that sort of thing up, it may be best to contact a Raptor Specialist who can remove it from your premises... Sorry I'm not much help

Hi Jlee, I haven't had an owl problem, but I HAVE had a hawk problem. I have managed to control this without even realising I did. My Aviary has shade cloth on it that I was using to keep the heat out during the hot weather. At the time, I didn't realise it was stopping the hawk from scaring/attacking my budgies. I only realised this after it landed on the top of the aviary, but didn't prowl and stare down the budgies and try and attack. Instead it just rested then took off to the neighbours' house. The shade cloth is breathable and at the same time isn't clear so it may work for you? My mum works for an animal rehab centre so I can ask her about deterrents for owls