11 months is fine provided the hen is in condition. Chances are if you wait one month she'll be out of condition and you'll have to wait another 3-4 weeks on top of that. As long as your parents are okay or you have arrangements for the babies if you cant keep them!

Not much happening, Lexi doesn't seem to be that interested in breeding. Every time Chubba Chubs goes to mount her ( that I've seen ), she goes upside-down under the perch. I'm thinking of pulling her out and putting Marigold in instead as she is coming into condition too.

Whats the weather and climate conditions where you are right now Ratzy and the conditions and temperatures for the next 3 months ? Take all this into consideration when about to breed. In many places birds are struggling in hot nestboxes.

Edited January 5, 201114 yr by **KAZ**

It's going to be hot, but the temp peaks here in March so it won't be too hot for chicks or sitting on eggs.

Not much happening, Lexi doesn't seem to be that interested in breeding. Every time Chubba Chubs goes to mount her ( that I've seen ), she goes upside-down under the perch. I'm thinking of pulling her out and putting Marigold in instead as she is coming into condition too.

 

 

I think that if you're hoping to double up on the potential "green tail mutation", then Marigold is a better choice than Lexi, anyway. Theoretically, Chubba Chubs got it from his mother, but Lexi has only a 66% chance of having it. (Assuming it is recessive.)

 

It doesn't hurt to wait. They might be in condition now, and in spite of the heat and his immaturity, things may go well, but it can't hurt to wait a few months till their next period of condition, to maximize your chances of success. Then again, you're on school holidays now, arent' you? I guess weighing all the pros and cons, it's your call.

Thanks Finny!

I went to the pet store today and actually found two birds ( Tbc and pied cocks ) with green tails. That got me wondering if Marigold and Skye were bred by the same breeder and they are actually related? Maybe ( lets say it is a mutation ) he/she doesn't realise he/she is breeding green tails. A friend of mine bought a bird from the pet store that was blue with a bright green tail. It died, unfortunately.

Eight months on, what has happened with this bird with the green tail?

Thanks Finny!

I went to the pet store today and actually found two birds ( Tbc and pied cocks ) with green tails. That got me wondering if Marigold and Skye were bred by the same breeder and they are actually related? Maybe ( lets say it is a mutation ) he/she doesn't realise he/she is breeding green tails. A friend of mine bought a bird from the pet store that was blue with a bright green tail. It died, unfortunately.

 

 

Do you think the store owner would put you in touch with the breeder, if you explained to him that green tails are unusual and that you wanted more information?

They will rarely give breeder details if in fact they even keep records like that. Giving breeder details cuts them out as the middle man. allows you to source birds directly at the price the breeder sells them to the pet store. Wont happen.

If there is other birds with green tails you need to get photos. Green tails belong on some birds anyway........so photos are needed. Take your camera and say you are doing research.

Going to the pet store today so I'm taking photos.

They were both still there on Friday and it pretty much closes for the weekend, so I think the chance they are still there are high. Also, there were two fallows there on Friday . I've never seen fallows here before!

I think the my only chance to catch up with the breeder would be at the annual bird fair this year.

There were three different birds there with the green tail.

TBC light green cock.

Opaline light green cock.

Sky blue hen.

Are they from the same breeder?

 

I noticed the leg ring on the TCB. Did you get the code? That will help you find the breeder

Damn... I didn't get the code.

I don't know if they are from the same breeder, I they probably are as there aren't many breeders here. I've only met one other breeder here and he was a show breeder.

So you went to the pet shop and found out what? Did you ask the people at the pet shop any info?

No, they wouldn't have given me any info. I have asked where they get their birds before with no real answer, only "why do you want to know?"

You can, however, ask what initials and code is on the legring. Tell them you need to check to see if the bird is related to yours.

You could ask, "I am interested in buying the bird, do you mind if I just hold it to see if it is skinny or unhealthy?" Maybe.... Also, if you were going to purchase any bird, I would go for the sky blue hen.

Petshops wont trust you to hold the bird in case it escaped. They would hold the bird and you could feel it.

Should I get the sky blue hen? She looks to be about 6-8 months by irises, correct?

Anyway, my parents would probably kill me .

I have a quarantine cage. My parents don't 'get' quarantine but when my chicks ( having previously been in quarantine for 6 weeks ) were foraging about the cage dad said to 'be careful of diseases' and I'm like....

 

PS: I don't think I told you guys, but I pulled Chubba Chubs from the breeding cage as they've starting moulting.

Edited January 25, 201114 yr by Ratzy

If I was you, I would go and get that hen

I went back today, and she's still there, but I have to convince my parents to let me buy the hen out of my own money first. I've done a sheet with 10 logical reasons why I should be able to buy it.

So now I'm doing a load of jobs that my parents told me to do, and hoping it pays off.

It worked!!

The hen is on hold and I'm getting her Monday! :bluebudgie:

Woohoo!

Well done Ratzy