fordmob

Apple cider vinegar is a good natural treatment for E Coli and staph. Have used it with great effect on people and birds.

Well 2 weeks in and we have eggs in 13 out of 16 cages. One hen hasn't laid and it is possible her breeding days are over. The other two which haven't laid have only been put down in the last few days. Not too bad really. Here is a few shots of some of the cock birds and a couple of hens, most of the hens are sitting in the nestboxes. Probably should have put this in the breeding journal section?

I had a reply typed where I had conceded that I had a boy look, but I just want to make sure that it is an Iris ring before I concede. The photo is a little out of focus at the eye and the eye looks like it is turned in the eye socket which may give the appearance of an iris ring. The colour in the eye looks too far toward the edge of the eye to be an iris ring. Then again it could just be an iris ring in which case I will post a photo of myself with a dunce hat on.

Hey Ellie can you get another close up macro photo of it's eye.

I would guess at more than $40.

Sorry Dillster but he is definitely a recessive pied cock bird. A recessive pied cock birds cere doesn't turn blue like your other varieties, neither do the albinos, lutinos, lacewings and fallows. They stay a pink fleshy colour. The hens cere acts like other varitieties.

Hey Taz and Fordmob, Let's face it, you spend your weekends playing with little birdies and your worried about people calling you fanciers? Cheers PT I am going to have to go and do something to prove my manhood now. Maybe I will go and hit the speedball and pump some iron. Nah, might have a hot choccy and put my moccos on and read Budgie World.

I had a Kakoschke bird many years ago. It was an average looking bird but the original owner paid 700 for it, owned for a few years and couldn't get a chick out of him. I got him given to me and stuck it with an average hen to see what he would do. He filled 9 eggs and has seven chicks. Before they hatched I put him over another hen, then another. I got over 20 chicks from him that year and some of them were super placing in shields etc. Good luck with him and a big bonus that he is split clearbody.

Yeah Taz, my wife has a few choice names for it.

Can I politely request that we collectively stop calling what we do "the fancy". I played footy for 20 years, I drive a four wheel drive, I drink beer occasionally and haven't had a shandy since I was 14. okay I might sing and play the piano but I don't do "fancies". And beside it rhymes with Nancy. (a lovely name if there are any Nancys out there) When discussing what I do with mates down at the local and try to sell what we do. I don't want to ask then to join the "fancy" with me. I am liable to be punched in the nose. Slightly tongue in cheek but still seriously I cringe at the "fancy" description.

Previously I have used wooden cages. Since re-entering the hobby I decided to go with wire cages. At the moment the big issue I see is seed wastage, but the advantage of this is that the seed doesn't end up in thier **** on the floor. I may get some seed catchers sewn up to prevent it ending up on the birdroom floor. The wire cages were inexpensive and I like the idea of them being portable. The chick situation i have thought about and I will put a small timber box in the cage when the time comes. The distraction issue, have noticed it, still yet to decide if it is a major problem. If it becomes an issue I will place some kind of visual barrier between the cages which will be fairly easy done. Also I have decided that I am going to start breeding at this time for a couple of seasons to see how it goes. I will have less need for warmth and more need for air flow during the warmer months.

You have some terrific birds, love your DFs, albino and recessives

Just wondering, how do you store it? Is it possible that it was exposed to moisture somehow? It has been a wet winter. Maybe dew or mist got to it?

I know the one. I had it offered to me the other day, everyone down here is using it. It looks like I will be paying forty bucks for the Golden Cob stuff for the peace of mind. Hope it all gets sorted Splat. I have to say though, I know some people using that seed who are having very good seasons. Geoff Tonkin uses that seed and breeds 500 every year.

I would be guessing that if they died as soon as they hatched it would be unrelated to your seed problem, but then that's just a guess. I suppose tough if the birds weren't getting the right nutrition then the chicks may not be strong enough to live after hatching. I reckon I ha dthe same problem as you many years ago. I found that my seed smelled a bit musty, like a damp room. I could hardly raise a chick. I changed to a more expensive seed and the problem stopped almost instantly.

I was very lucky Renee. Spoke to the right people at the right time. There is a bit of a story behind the birds and the owner who has been breeding for many years and spending a lot of money needed to get rid of them fast. I honestly could not have scripted a better beginning but having BTDT I know things can go wrong pretty quick. So I will temper my excitement till I see some fertile eggs and some babies coming ou of the nest. I would love to get just one Chidel bird. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately I had to promise the missus that I wouldn't buy another bird for 2 years.....but I can swap:rolleyes:. Anyone wnat to swap a Chidel bird:blink: Yes good birds, poo photographer.

Some pretty average photos of some nice birds. There are 2 seperate cobalts, a sky hen, a grey hen, a very bad photo of a very good young dominant hen, and a huge dark green that is a young bird that has never been shown. I would think he would go pretty well. I have bought numerous family members of each line. I am feeling pretty lucky to get them. Now go forth and multipy kids.. ... The first two pairs have already paired up and are going hammer and tong at it before I have even opened the nest box.

Did it work?

.......

If I come and I might I have a Lloyd Richardson cock bird for you if you want it. It is an unsused cobalt young bird that was kindly given to me but I no longer have use for it as all my cages will be filled ( have a look at my thread in the wanted section and you might see why). Let me know if you want it.

I'll put some photos up tonight. I'm pretty happy with myself.

Thanks Kaz, looking forward to getting my ring on a few.

Was very lucky today to be reffered to a local guy who was selling out. Bought 22 birds on Henry George and Gary Armstrong lines. I am extremely happy with what I got. Thanks to those who have taken an interest and sent messages etc. I now have 16 breeding cages which will be filled with what I have soon. If anyone in the Geelong area needs show cages or breeding cages, drop me a message and I will pass on his number. I have also picked some birds from a very accomplished forum member to whom I am very grateful and another local breeder. I now breed spangles, dom pieds, lutinos and fallows and the usual normals, opalines and cinnamons. I also have some ripper dark greens and cobalts. Looking forward to getting things underway.

Gday Dazler Sounds like scaly leg but that's not an official dignosis without seeing it, ivermectin can be purchased from the vet. In the meantime you can mix a solution of dettol or antiseptic cream that it safe to apply to the skin and 4 parts olive oil and apply it to the affected area. Ivermectin is more effective long term and you should do all the birds. It isn't recommended to apply during breeding though. Otherwise you use one of the many mite sprays which are on the market. Most are Pyrethrin based.

There are plenty of good people around GB. I have made lifelong friends out of it, most who aren't even in birds anymore. There were some at the start that I thought were friends that weren't. Like in all walks of life there are all sorts. Make sure it stays fun and don't take it too seriously. If it isn't fun anymore it is't worth doing but you could be one nest full from making it fun again.