Maddy

It's my first time actually trying to breed my budgies. Before they were too young and I didn't want to cause extra trouble for myself so I waited. By hen 'Doormat' laid her first egg on Saturday, and her second on Monday. It is now Thursday and there is not another egg yet. Could it just be late? She is continuosly going into the nestbox (I assume she's incubating) but i picked her up and there doesn't seem to be any sign of 'egg bum'. Also, I think she might be incubating empty eggs. I managed to get a picture of one with a candeling torch, but i can't tell you if its the Saturday egg or Monday egg (should I mark them in future?) These are the two eggs And this is the middle one candled To me it looks clear...but if this is the Monday egg then could it be maybe too early to tell? I went back to try and get a picture of the other egg (I came inside to see if the pictures worked) but 'Doormat' had gone back in the nest and I didn't want to disturb her. Is it possible that they are also out of condition? Hence the clear look of the egg? This is Doormat (left) and Vomity Pie (right) and are these birds (my other pair I'm hoping to breed) in or out of condition? Its hard to see Doormat's cere in the first picture, but I couldn't get her to turn around. Its basically the same colour as Overcast (hen in second photo) I will try and get a photo of the other egg candled later. Thanks for the help

Once I get more funds, I will most likely expand my setup so that there is a separate flight (I would love one) but this is what I came up with for the time being

oh I see, so you mean t make a cabinet for the cabinet right? If I can attach it to the actual cabinet that would be a good idea. I don't want to make anything in this aviary too permanent....as I don't know how far into the future I will be moving out (what i mean is it could be 2 years or it could be 10 years...I just don't know )

Alrighty then...I don't want any dead birds :S I'll attach one end of a piece of shade cloth to the top of the cabinets, and let it fall over the front of the cages Thats what you meant right?

Well in the weeks I had the aviary up and the birds in the breeding cabinets (while inside the aviary) I never found any traces of mice...as there was a fair bit of seed on the ground. So I'm guessing that its not a real big problem, but I want to do it just in case (I'm still trying to figure out how to attach it as well) The aviary cost me $500 from eBay violet (it was $600 but the guy I bought it off gave me $100 back when I payed....I think its because he didn't actually pay for it in the first place) With the birds escaping...I don't think it will be much of a problem. I have the curtain which basically blocks any space between me and the door when I'm coming in. Even if the birds landed on my back I don't think they could get out. I also weighed it down with some doweling...it helps it swing back into place when I go through it. I will make sure to keep everything spotless (well...as spotless as an outside aviary can be). I know there is a pet shop near my house (they reckon they specialise in birds) and there is a thick layer of dust and feathers on EVERYTHING lol Thats why I liked your setup...I think it gave them a 'being in a flock' feeling. Of course I will keep a sharp eye out for toe biters If I see any aggression coming through those wires I'll use my leftover shade cloth to cover them.

So some of you may remember that I purchased an aviary off of eBay some time ago. We got it dismantled and hauled it over to my (parents) house via trailer. It was alot of work...especially since the rook came off into three parts but the rest was like a box (made it quite difficult to fit onto the trailer. But about 20 metres of rope later it was good. It sat down the back of my yard for quite some time while I got the base worked out (there's a bloody big patch of dead grass out there now XD) but I managed to figure something out without putting anything completely permanent on my parents yard....I have to move out someday right? Well I got 36 pavers from a garden centre as well as a big haul of river sand for underneath. All went smoothly and the walls of the aviary were assembled. It looked like a complete mess when it was up. There was dirt all up the sides as well as rust and a dozen or so moth cocoons on the inside. So I went to bunnings and got a big deck scrubbing brush and a couple of muscle aching days later it was presentable Its quite hard to explain how old and caked on the dirt was. So I managed to take a photo of the back inside wall half scrubbed. Of course the outside was alot worse than this. After the metal was cleaned, I scrubbed the wire with a bucket full of vinegar...as this aviary previously housed other birds, so I wasn't taking any chances. In fact when I picked the thing up, the guy selling it offered to give me the nest boxes he had for free. But upon looking inside them I was ambushed by a thousand flies and the sight of old eggs. so I politely declined. So the roof went on (after it too was scrubbed) and then it was just a matter of making it budgie proof. The breeding boxes were moved inside so that I could see the birds reaction to their new 'spot'. There were holes between wall and roof at the front and back...but that was quickly remedied with some silicone and fly screen mesh. There were also a few holes on the wall where the aviary had previously been bolted to a retaining wall...but silicone quickly fixed that too. This was the point in when Doormat and Vomity pie started laying eggs, and I knew that it was a good move putting them there After I put a curtain of shade cloth over the door on the inside (to keep the birds at bay while I entered) and I made some perches (which were generously attached to to aviary by my father)...some of the birds were ready to be let out, including some new arrivals. No i can't fly. This was taken from atop my little brothers fort. You can see the full setup from this angle The giant tree branch was kindly dropped from my neighbours tree into our yard (the one behind the aviary) You can see Rasputia cleaning herself/spying on me from the top of the door. The perches, with new arrivals [unamed] and Lemon sitting on the top. They were put together with $2 bits of pine, some dowling and some curtain rod holders The other corner. The breeding boxes will most likely stay here permanently. That black cage looks crammed against it...but I can fit between them nicely. I'm using that cage as my quarantine/kindy cage My setup was inspired by GB's old setup. I liked how there was no divider between breeding room and aviary...I think this way they get the most flying space instead of me cutting it off (especially as this is what my funds allow me at this time, size wise). The only things I plan to do now to further improve my setup is: ~Put a row of fly screen mesh around the bottom of the wire part. To stop rodents squeezing through them holes ~Connect that feeder dish to the roof of the aviary. I also have another one that will connect to the bottom of that one for veggies and shell grit They are just plant pot trays with holes and wire. I did have another pot tray with a wire arch for water. But when I tried to fill it up I realised that all the water fell out of one side. So I took away the wire and put it on the ground

I'm wondering if recycled water is safe for budgies? It says 'do not drink' above the faucet, but my dog drinks it frequently. Does anyone on here use it without issues?

Heres another picture of him (a little more front on) He's settling in nicely and quarantine is going well

Thanks everybody When you've been around ebay a while...you don't expect the prices to stay low for long. This one, someone else tried to sniper it as well (put in a high bid at the last second) however, my bid was higher and with less time left, so he couldn't fight back. I was willing to pay around $750 for that aviary, so thats what I put in at 20 seconds to go. I havn't started breeding yet alpaca boy...seems like I just missed the right condition But I will be ready for them

Good news, I won I think $610 is a steal, especially for the size and condition. It is assembled via screws, not pop rivets...it was part of the reason I went to do an inspection on it as I'm getting my father to help me disassemble it. I was told pop rivets are great for putting it up...not so great for pulling it down. So all i need to do now is get it to my place. I've already done a couple of brainstorms and my solution is to hire a car trailer for a few hours and get my grandfather to tow it. Its all coming together now

I'm not sure Finnie...after all foam does look pretty appetising If I can get a screwdriver on the inside then I will screw them the other way I don't think I'll be that close to the corners that I will hurt myself. But I can always cover them on the outside, i just didn't want the budgies to chew adn die from something that was trying to keep them safe

Thanks humphrey...i was a little worried that by advertising the aviary on here someone else would make a jump for it Its exciting JB...its so close to finishing. I went and had an inspection today....to make sure I wasn't getting ripped off if I pay a load for it (its happened before). Its in really good nick, just needs a clean. The screws holding it together are a bit rusted...but they're cheap as chips Can anyone suggest what I would do with the pointy end of the screws that hold it together. Do budgies know sharp?

Thats good to hear Seems small spaces are good...guess they are the loners of the budgie world

He's such a beautiful boy. I found something very appealing in father dusters....its just a shame about their lifespan. Maybe one day we can find a balance in these guys and have non spastic but long feathered pet

I know, people are silly But I've set myself a limit as to how much I'm gonna pay for it. I'll come in with 20 secs to go and put that in (and if its more then aww well )

I visited an aviary where the breeders kept all seed in a box, and on the inside of the box lid was a sponge with eucalyptus oil in it. They said it keeps moths, mice and other creep crawlies at bay. Has anyone else heard of this technique?

Nope.

I realised the other day that I had an uneven number of cocks to hens, and since I wanted to breed vinaka one day, I decided that I would get another cock. I did not however, think he was going to be from a pet shop (as I had sworn off pet shops) But I went into one the other day looking for hulled oats and I saw him looking all majestic on his perch. I walked up to the cage bars and so did he, and we just looked at each other for a bit. I found it incredibly adorable and today I went back and got him. For a pet shop bird I think he is an absolute ripper (better than some of my other birds in fact) So now he is in his quarantine cage, hiding in the corner (which is why its not a full body shop) The guy in the pet shop tried to sell me the birds brother in stead, but he was out of proportion and a bit.....off. Once this guy is feeling more settled in I'll try and get a full body, front on shot of him

Buy now is alot better sometimes...at least you know you have it. But you can also get some really great bargains on bidding items

poor little guy. I'm glad he is in your capable hands Squeak The bird I saw had more of a crust happening...no where near as bad as this

I was getting Vinaka out of her cage for a little exercise and a checkup and I noticed her beak and cere were a little crusty Could this be early stages of scaly face?

Squeak do you reckon you could post an picture of the little guy? I passed a bird today in the pet shop that had something wrong with his eye....but not having any experience I couldn't really say or do anything.

Yes. I'll get all these people bidding on it with 3 days to go with tiny little bids...therefore pushing the price up Then I'll come in at the last minute like an ebay ninja

Yes that is going to be a pain I'll admit But I think for the size of the aviary it will be well worth the trouble

Don't worry Kaz, I am a queen on ebay (I get it from my mum lol) I got my very first car on ebay I have dedicated one of my jobs as my bird money jobs...anything I earn from it goes straight into my savings and thats where it stays. It is quite near me. I'd say about 30mins I just need to figure out how I'm going to transport it if I win it. Any ideas?