The Black Doctor

okay - that might explain it. Thanks Squeak_Crumble.

My daughter purchased the budgie below yesterday. I'm pretty sure it's a dark green spangle, but the wing markings are very faint. Could it also possibly be a clearwing? Apologies for the poor picture quality - I'll try and get a better photo soon.

Thanks heaps guys

I've also just put the following pair into the breeding box - cobalt cock and yellow face grey hen: http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/ChicolaBubbles.jpg Do you guys think this is a good pairing? This violet cobalt opaline hen is almost ready to go down as well: http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/Violet.jpg I am considering putting her with one of these five cock birds: Grey violet dominant pied (these two seem to have paired themselves up and should produce some good violets): Skyblue dominant pied: http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/Sky.jpg Grey spangle (arguably the best bird I have): http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/Smog1.jpg Skyblue spangle (similar to the one above, but not as good - colouration on head due to a blood feather): http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/Nibbles.jpg Grey Normal (another good bird): http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb410/stubrady333/2011%20Breeding%20Pairs/Rocky.jpg Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Okay - I've been very busy and have had computer problems, but finally found some time to get back on here and catch up with all the happenings. So, just to refresh: the dark green opaline cock and the albino hen's first round resulted in 2 grey greens, a dark green and a cinnamon grey green - all opaline. Here's some photos: The same pair have since had another round, which resulted in 3 grey greens and 3 dark greens - all opaline. Here are some photos: I therefore believe the cock must be split cinnamon and the hen is masking grey and opaline. As it appears there are no dd dark factor babies (or I guess the grey greens could be?), would it be reasonable to conclude that the hen is also a DD dark factor, or is this too difficult to work out? I assume all the cocks will be split albino and if I breed them to normal hens, any resulting hens would be albino. Also, the cinnamon baby must be a hen. Is this correct?

Thanks guys. So GB, I didn't want any cinnamons or grey greens to start with and now I've got some anyway LOL! That's interesting re: tail colour - another thing I didn't know and now do. Anywhere I can find out which coloured tail feathers = what colour bird?

It's been a while since I took any photos, but they're finally here: Chick 1 - I'm guessing dark green opaline hen Chick 2 - I'm guessing olive green opaline hen Chick 3 - I'm guessing olive green opaline cinnamon hen Chick 4 - I'm guessing olive green opaline hen Here's some group shots:

Welcome Wellomo - you can buy those traps in most supermarkets too I believe.

I keep telling you GB - Easy Thumbnails - it's simple!

Glad to hear everything turned out okay Finnie, although your hen is still showing the scars on her head. Nicely coloured chicks too by the way!

I don't mean to be rude Pride, but you REALLY REALLY need to read all the FAQ's and understand them, then read them again, because the majority of the stuff you're asking is in there. You're very lucky (as was I when I first joined the forum), that Kaz is such a patient person.

LOL - no worries - I haven't actually checked out the 'Off Topic Chatter' - I've been too busy reading up on all the budgie-related stuff. Look forward to your input Jimmy.

I hope these weren't the birds you bought for me! Just kidding GB... Seriously though - people like yourself are what this hobby needs. I'm only new to all this and you have helped my so so much it's made me want to get into the hobby even more. I can't thank you enough for all the help and support you've given me. The same goes for everyone who contributes to this site (special mention to Kaz) - without it I might've just given up as I couldn't find anywhere to buy any decent birds. Now I'm as keen as mustard to breed really good quality birds and I now have more of an idea of what it takes to do it (as chookerbreeder said - time, patience and some luck!). It's like any hobby really - once you get bitten by the 'bug' you can't get enough and this site has helped me gain so much knowledge, and the more I learnt, the more I want to learn. Resources like this provide people with information and help that they may not otherwise be able to get - that's what newbies like myself need. As others have said - if someone is starting out and they get assistance and help then they're much more likely to continue with the hobby, as opposed to be shunned and discouraged by the 'experts'. The perception that it's a bit nerdy is probably right, but so is breeding any type of animal these days, whether it be dogs, fish, reptiles etc.. Changing these perceptions is difficult, as they've been ingrained in peoples thinking for many, many years. It may be an deterient for people wanting to enter the hobby or it might be a something that attracts people to it. I certainly don't have a solution, but I can't wait to attend my first auction!

Jimmy, I notice from your profile that you don't appear to have any budgies, bred them or show them, yet you seem to be posting a lot of advice. I'm not trying to be rude or have a go at you - I'm just wondering if you used to keep/breed/show budgies, or how you know so much about them?

Thanks Finnie - at least you had a go and we seem to agree, which is good!

Anyone want to take a guess?

The first hen looks like she's at the back end of being in condition and the last hen looks like she's gone out of condition. Hard to tell with the first cock bird and no idea with the recessive pied cock. Although, I'm only a relative novice though so don't quote me.

LOL - thanks Jimmy! I made sure they were 100% clean of gunk before I took the potos this time! Anyway, I took some more photos this morning and the third chick appears to be green series as well. Anyone want to take a stab at their sex? Chick 1 Chick 2 Chick 3 I'm thinking hen, cock (maybe hen?), hen.

This might sound stupid, but.......what about putting a mirror in front of him, so he's got something to look at and concentrate on?

Not sure GB - I've now posted some more pics of the baby's on this thread: http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showtopic=29725&st=0&gopid=355924entry355924

Took some more photos this afternoon: Oldest chick: Second oldest chick: Definitely green series! The next eldest looks blue series, but I didn't get a photo. I also forgot to take a photo of their nostrils to try and guess their sex. Maybe tomorrow if I have time!

Finally finished my second set of breeding cabinets! I've made it so I have the ability to turn two breeding areas into one nursery/quarantine cage by having a sliding divider And with one of the nest boxes attached Next time I'll be using something a bit less flexible for the base, as the plyboard has a tendency to bend, which will make it more difficult to fit the metal trays. I still have to make the trays and the divider - my task for the weekend. Anyway, it's all a learning experience and I'm sure these will do me for the first few seasons!

Thanks again Kaz. Yes I've read that FAQ a few times and I cleaned the baby's feet after I took the photo.

Thanks Kaz - I'm only relocating the cage to a different spot, not taking them out or changing nest boxes.

From the information you've posted Kaz - that doesn't sound good. I hope your cobalt corrects itself Splat.