Yes. I think that cere is coming into breeding condition, once in condition its cere will be darker and crustier.

YEP thats a female most definatly

She is a young hen, probably only 4-5 months old and she is coming into breeding condition. however, she will not be mature enough to breed properly until 12 months old

No................

The reason I said NO....is because of your title question.

You said

 

 

Mature Cere

Is this what a mature hen's cere should look like?

 

and the actual real answer to that question is

NO.

 

That is the sign of the cere of a breeding condition hen, but not the sign it is a mature hen old enough to breed with.

 

Other things come into play...actual age and other signs of age such as iris rings.

 

Pardon me if I have answered differently to others, but lessons must be taught that that kind of colour to a cere is NOT a sign of a mature budgie. That colour to a cere can occur at 5 months and a mature breeding budgie has to be prefeably 12 months or older.

I think Summer was asking the question just to check to make sure her bird was healthy and progressing normally.

I think Summer was asking the question just to check to make sure her bird was healthy and progressing normally.

My answer was based on other people's perceptions of what was asked and possibly others misconception of what a coloured cere means. As evident by some answers, various interpretations of the photo were posted

I don't plan on breeding her now. I think she's between 9 months and a year old. I got her in June and I her baby bars weren't all the way to her cere. I think she was 4 or 5 months then. Her cere remained very light and smooth until the past couple of weeks. I've never had a girl before so I just wanted to verify this is what happens. It's hard to imagine she will get darker and crustier. But I do understand the distinction that a hen might be physically able to breed but not be ready.I think her mate Dave is about 6 months old now. When he's a year (or should it be longer?) I'd like to try to breed them. So 6 months from now (husband willing) I might be asking for advice on that then.Poor Dave hasn't been getting enough sleep and has started chatting up any shiny thing that catches his eye. I've got to increase his covered time. As long as there is no nest they won't breed right? Or should they be separated?Thanks,Summer

I think Summer was asking the question just to check to make sure her bird was healthy and progressing normally.

Ah, yes exactly!

I think Summer was asking the question just to check to make sure her bird was healthy and progressing normally.

My answer was based on other people's perceptions of what was asked and possibly others misconception of what a coloured cere means. As evident by some answers, various interpretations of the photo were posted

 

Fair enough

Kaz, I read the question the same as you did! :laughter:

Summer: As far as age goes, I agree with Liv. I dont think she is over 6 months. My baby is only 4 months and he doesnt have an bars either. Sometimes they are just born with minimal baby bars.

She hasnt got her iris ring yet so she would only be about 4 months or so.

She hasnt gone through her moult yet either, because she still has the mis-formed cheek spots too.

great photo by the way :laughter:

I agree it is a gorgeous photo. You should enter it into budgie of the month :laughter:

I second what Liv said :hap: enter that cutie in the Budgie of the Month for February :hap:

Kaz, I read the question the same as you did! :DSummer: As far as age goes, I agree with Liv. I dont think she is over 6 months. My baby is only 4 months and he doesnt have an bars either. Sometimes they are just born with minimal baby bars. She hasnt got her iris ring yet so she would only be about 4 months or so.She hasnt gone through her moult yet either, because she still has the mis-formed cheek spots too.

Here's a picture of her when I got her 6 months ago. She was in a heavy molt then. She's molted a second time since then. Really you can see some of her iris it's just the lighting of picture.

I agree it is a gorgeous photo. You should enter it into budgie of the month :hap:

How do you do that? I've somehow missed where that folder is?

Okays, I retract my statement. Your probably right on her age. :hap:

Yep should enter her nice photo

Here is the link to enter your photo in the budgie of the month! Have fun! Good luck!

 

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=24065