Bird Junky

Hi It might be an idea if you gave us some idea of their age, diet are they in breeding condition etc.?? Most birds including budgies don't mate for life & in a colony situation are not always faithful. Breeders pair the birds to get the results they want & if not satisfied will change them. Birds in breeding condition don't need any help to bond, except a box & a good diet. In or out of hearing other birds...B.J.

Hi No one can predict with any accuracy what size the chicks will be. Large small & every size in between That includes other birds......B.J.-

Hi Colony breeding troubles are caused by breeders not applying these simple rules. (1) No odd numbers of cocks to hens. (2) nest boxes too close together. At least a box & a half space between them. (3) Extra boxes must be provided to give hens choice. (4) All nest boxes placed at the same height. (5) An aviary, 6 high x 6 long x 3 wide, in mtrs of ft. would easy hold 5 or 6 breeding pairs. Birds are returned to aviary but if they have only raised one or two babies they sometimes let them sit another round if the birds are still in breeding condition. The point of breeding in cages gives you control of which cock is paired to which hen. Hope that's covered your questions okay......B.J.

Hi Go to forums.. Food & Health....B.J.

Hi Put a drop of cooking or olive oil on the hinge......B.J.

Hi. I was thinking more of the smaller pet shops. If you visit regular you will see adults for sale occasionally. You have to take care wherever you buy your birds. Never buy on impulse. Some breeders sell off breeding stock to make room for youngsters which they keep as next years breeders....Buy the extra bird & breed from what you have. You could always switch them around if your not happy with the chicks colours.....B.J.

Hi, just like to say that lettuce is one of the least valuable greens to feed to birds & can give them the runs... The dark green leaved veg is far better. Including grass, roots & dirt......Just cos we like it don't mean its good for birds.....Sorry I know they enjoy it,....B.J.

Hi If Your going into breeding pet birds.. Keep away from the grey's. They will dull down your colours. There are two types of Pied.... Recessive's, have more white or yellow feathers in the blue & green series Dominant , have equal or more green or blue feathers. Recessive paired to normal will give all normal babies. Dom, Pied X to normal will have some of each. Green series is Dom to blue. As no bird can be guaranteed to be pure bred there can be no guarantee' s re, colour of babies. To breed birds for the pet market I suggest you visit pet shops & see what colours are good sellers & buy birds to breed that colour... I would agree with Jenny but I'm afraid you would be looking for a needle in a haystack ......B.J.

Hi Perhaps this will help in the future. Re, EGG LAYING It is quite normal for a mated or an un-mated hen to lay eggs. It will NOT automatically lead to her death. Years ago, records from a Belgium laboratory the number of eggs laid by un-mated hens in any one season have ranged from 1 to 30.... Over a 9 yr period one hen laid 300 eggs. Rather than go into the complicated changes that take place in a hens body as she reaches maturity. I'll keep it very simple & say, under normal conditions, a hens egg laying cycle is controlled by her hormonal level which rises as conditions become suitable for raising a family & lower at the seasons end for the moult, rest & recuperation. The advice (Cure) for this so called, problem usually entails some disruption to the hens environment. Hens with a low hormonal level will only lay a very few eggs approx only 1 or 2, before stopping. Giving the impression that it was due to the changes to her daily routine. (So the cure works?) Hens with a normal hormone level can lay a full clutch of eggs approx 5 or 6, before stopping. Again giving the impression they have stopped due to constant harassment. (So the cure works?) Hens with a high hormonal level can lay a full seasons compliment of eggs, 18 to 20 before stopping. They are immune to any & all the owners efforts to stop her laying. (So the cure doesn't work.) When it comes to so called cures. They all work if you persevere.......Sometimes.....B.J.

Hi I think you should ring around to find a VET who knows about birds & make an appointment...B.J.

Hi Ring your local vet Some of them can be very helpful & don't charge for advice....B.J.

Hi Always have a piece of millet, apple or any treat she can nibble at, in your other hand. Watch her body language & before she bites. Gently push her beak back up with the index finger of your other hand & say NO BITE..& offer her a bite of the treat to distract her. Get her to concentrate on the treat. Offering her a bite before she bites you...

Hi Don't forget birds need a mix of Veg & Fruit As some types contain different nutrients needed for health....B.J.

Hi I think hen She has also the hen type face. Can't explain but baby cocks look cuter more like Disney cartoon baby birds..B.J.

Hi Yes lots more info about your set-up needed....B.J.

Hi Buy a length pine wood, The cheap stuff in the DIY stores. Cut it into short lengths. It will last months....B.J.

Hi Going by the nostril size, I guess girl. no older than around 3-4 mths..Paedophilia is only a crime in human beings....B.J.

Hi I'm going to stick my neck out & guess the green is around 3-4 months old starting to moult is a hen. the other bird is much younger & I'm guessing a cock...What's the prize for guessing right??????....B.J.

Hi Grabbing a bird is a big NO NO...You will ruin any bond your building up. Lots of birds do not like to be held. It's a natural reaction, Your acting like a predator. Teach her to step-up & bring her out on your finger. If she doesn't want to come out try to lure her out with a treat. If she still wants to stay in, fix the door open so she can come out on her own. The fact that she sits on your shoulder even after being grabbed. Means you have a very forgiving & trainable bird.. Provided you go about it the right way....B.J.

Hi Sorry can't help as I'm in the UK. I suggest you ring round the vets & ask if they are into birds or can they recommend a colleague in you area....B.J.

Hi Re the beak problem. Clean it out & apply just a dab of SUPER GLUE & hold it closed till it sets. Don't worry about hurting the baby he would scream weather you were hurting him or not...B.J.

Hi, okay if you must feed beans... POTS OF PROTEIN A recipe that is very useful if your birds need a boost of extra protein, or use it as part of a healthy diet. You will need some Soya beans. (1) Soak a quantity of beans, in the ratio of. 1 cupful in 4 cupfuls of water for 24 hrs. (2) Next day, boil the beans in fresh water & keep them on a low boil for 20 min. (3) Strain, mash & mix with bread/biscuit or dry egg food & serve. The boiling removes the toxin (Trypsin) found in beans...... B. J.

Hi A hard boiled egg chopped up with the shell will supply all the protein your bird needs. Why do things the hard way?....B.J.

Hi There's not much diff between cockies & budgies Get rid of the eggs, take out the box until the birds get to know each other & then put the box back. Or she could lay unfertilised eggs...B.J.

Hi If you lift his feathers close to his skin, if its feather mites you would see them & their excrement in the form of little dark specks. If yes you can get bird drops to put on him. Similar to dog flea drops....B.J.