Hi everyone, Im back from a long couple of months worth of homework!

 

For about a couple of weeks I've noticed that on my inside hen and 2 outside aviary hens, that all of their ceres have gone a light blue colour. The only one that hasn't is my dom pied-opaline-cinnamon-sky blue, Poppy. Hers is a tan colour.

The blue isn't as deep as the royal blue ceres my males have, but a very light blue

 

I just wanna know if it is a health issue or not as I am planning on breeding in a few months and defects to the chicks would be devastating.

This is NORMAL for any hen not currently in breeding condition.

This is NORMAL for any hen not currently in breeding condition.

 

Thank you so much Kaz.

All the websites I looked at said that there may be a respiratory problem, but that didn't seem right to me, but thanks for that.

I am new to breeding so how should I know when they ARE in breeding condition and how long should they take as I want to breed at the end of this year, OCTOBER-DECEMBER.

This is NORMAL for any hen not currently in breeding condition.

 

Thank you so much Kaz.

All the websites I looked at said that there may be a respiratory problem, but that didn't seem right to me, but thanks for that.

I am new to breeding so how should I know when they ARE in breeding condition and how long should they take as I want to breed at the end of this year, OCTOBER-DECEMBER.

Respiratory issue would be staining on the feathers above each nostril on the cere............nothing to do with colour of cere.

As far as breeding condition goes.....correct colour for a female is light to medium brown. Dark and crusty is considered past breeding condition and at the stage where the dark brown crusty part peels off to reveal the white blue underneath of a female not in breeding condition. Male is they have a blue cere......colour blue is to be a full on bright blue, not a washed out blue.

If you choose to breed through hot weather you will have to ensure they are somewhere that can be cooled or run aircoolers in a breeding room for them.

Thanks Kaz

 

I think in about a month they should all be ready to breed. Good idea about the aircoolers. Maybe I should breed them in autumn? What time of the year do you recommend I breed...

What time of year ? It all depends on local conditions and I dont live where you do. Ask around, in particular a budgie club....ask them when the best breeding time is, or ask here if anyones in your area.

Edited July 23, 201113 yr by **KAZ**

okay thanks