Jo

Hi Renee, thanks for that. Have checked the cage and it does seem that the hen bit him (probably early this morning)! Have cleaned the wound which is looking good now - it should heal well. I was so alarmed when first discovered because there seemed to be so much blood! Anyway, the hen is having some time alone. I'll give it a day and then do just a you suggest and watch them together ofr a couple of hours. He was still very keen on mating with her - but she's not ready I think. I will keep them close together, but in separate cages. He's such a gentleman, it doesn't seem fair! I'm hoping they settle down, but I think she needs more time to get into proper breeding mode. This wild, cold weather has not helped. thanks again, Jo

Hi all, I have a beaut pair of initially clucky birds, but the hen went off the simmer when they were shifted into the breeding cage last weekend. She seemed to be getting back into the swing of things, but this morning the cock has swollen and bloody ankle and there seems to be bloof wherever he has been in the cage (Which is pretty much everywhere!) Take him out? Will he need vet inspection? What to do? It seems they were not the match made in heaven as originally thought!

Wow! That's amazing from my 'little flock' perspective. I added spinach and broccoli (organic of course) to my poor flock's diet and they are munching away very happily. It's nice change from callistamon and kykuyu grasses. They are loving it! They also look so content with face full of soaked seed - especially when it sticks to their beaks! Cute! Cheers, JO

Wow! That would be amazing to watch. Fantastic stuff. What greens do you give your birds? Cheers, Jo Hi Jo, They're a bit spoilt at the moment, as I have been giving the baby spinach which is way too expensive from the shop.I've just bought some raised veggies beds so I hope to grow my own in the near future. They get carrot and beetroot every morning mixed with soaked hulled oats,striped sunflower and wheat.I top that with a couple of Dr Rob Marshalls supplements. It's occured to me that there's a similarity to what we do and the huamn fitness industry in building up our birds. Hope that's a help! Cheers Patrick Thanks for that. Grow your own is definitely the way to go - for us and them. I read about a nasty experience one of our top WA breeders had with shop bought broccoli - too many pesticides - so I'm definitely on the organic and self-grown path. I take your point re human fitness industry... Thanks for that, Cheers, Jo

Wow! That would be amazing to watch. Fantastic stuff. What greens do you give your birds? Cheers, Jo

Hi Just wondering - it is better for the birds to see each other with the wire cages? Some advice I've had suggests not to do this - but after reading your journal I wonder. Also, where can I find 'Daz's nesting box design'? I really enjoyed reading through your journal. Thanks for that. Cheers, Joanne Link to Daz' breeding cabinet and nest box design Thanks so much jetrick! I'm on it!!! Gotta get that 'flock' feeling happening in the breeding shed! More boys! Bigger nesting boxes...great! Cheers, joanne

Dear Daz, I would really appreciate copies of these nesting box designs if you still have them available? What would the postage be to postcode 6081 (WA) do you think? Also, what do you advise re the little nesting divet type thing inside? I notice all the pet shop boxes have a little depression inside to keep the eggs from rolling around. How do you make that? I can't work out the tool used! Thanks so much, Joanne

They are so pretty! And looking really healthy! Great stuff. Facintating suggsting too. Can't help wondering if the mum's over eager for want of calcium herself? Any thoughts? Jo

Thanks Patrick, I will 'grill' Kaz for details of those boxes. Your set up looks so easy to use! Sorry about the lost hen, but at least you got some progeny from her... Still no eggs in my nests...waiting, waiting... I have put a spare cock bird in a cage in the nesting shed - and he sure is stirring up the other boys. Maybe it will help. Cheers, Joanne

Hi! Sounds great! I'm new to this and my birds are still just shaking hands - But we have just had our first drop of real rain over here in the west - I think that might trigger some 'happy time'. I hope you will be able to post some pics soon? Cheers, Joanne

Hi Just wondering - it is better for the birds to see each other with the wire cages? Some advice I've had suggests not to do this - but after reading your journal I wonder. Also, where can I find 'Daz's nesting box design'? I really enjoyed reading through your journal. Thanks for that. Cheers, Joanne

But hey I nearly didn't bring one home last auction :rofl: but yep it got the better of me :hap: had to come home with something and I really wished I didn't talk about compulisive that's me. BUT I am having trouble saving this time Merv so I really think I will be looking and not bidding but we will see I actually have my eye on a few but it's the money that is the problem :hmm: I really wish these auctions were in July as I get a bit money then, on the 30th of June and that is tooooooo late and that really annoying. I thought there would be an issue with getting birds into WA? Is that wrong? Y'know, quarantine rules etc?? If not that's terrific.

Thanks Kaz. Gotta get the hang of the pics. Well, I didn't breed them. Got them from a reputable pet shop down the road. (Member of the MBC who always steers me fine). Think I'll try a grey/green boy over my spangled girl then. The boy's form is really good and the girl's colour is nice so should get something lovely out of the pairing. Fingers crossed.Thanks for the advice and enjoy the weekend gathering... Thanks Kaz. Gotta get the hang of the pics. Well, I didn't breed them. Got them from a reputable pet shop down the road. (Member of the MBC who always steers me fine). Think I'll try a grey/green boy over my spangled girl then. The boy's form is really good and the girl's colour is nice so should get something lovely out of the pairing. Fingers crossed.Thanks for the advice and enjoy the weekend gathering...By The Way. No the girl's cere has never been brown, maybe I imagined it was a little more flesh coloured, but that's all. Time will tell I think.Cheers,Jo

Hi Kaz and everyone, Here I am, doing the blog thing for the first time! Kaz, The photos you posted are really clear re: girls in breeding condition. Here are two shots of my lutino girl and lacewing boy http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx310/J...girlMay2010.jpg girl. After our phone chat the darn things decided to huddle in the nesting box and I think we might get somewhere with them at last. The boy has slightly violet cheek patches, but the girl's patches are more white. The other girl I mentioned is definitely a spangle, so need ideas of what to put with her re boy. I have a couple of really nice grey/greens with lovely bibs. What will that produce? Are Spangles dominant or recessive? Sorry the pics are soooo big. Will get the hang of things soon (I hope). Cheers, Joanne http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx310/J...gboycropped.jpg