I have had a bad week. Had three budgies die. First was Paris the blind budgie ....she just fell off her perch probably from a blood clot or something like that. Then one of my older mauve females was found with a broken neck .....possibly a marauding cat has frightened her in the night. Yesterday one of my very favourites ( a beautiful yellow face type 1 blue opaline girl ) also found dead from impact with an aviary wall. We have seen a cat in the yard on two occasions at night , so I am thinking there has been some fright during the night that has caused this. Funny thing too, the budgies who mostly slept hanging from the aviary wire now ALL sleep on the rope suspended from the aviary roof well away from the fence. We are looking at ways to cat proof the yard. Covering the aviary is not an option as they are far too large. We have two cats ourselves but they only go out with us and under strict supervision. I was terribly upset over the first death, followed the next day by the second and the next day after that the death of one of my favourites.

Not a good week all round apart from my engagement . Ken went out today to try and replace my favourite girl and came home with three new budgies to replace the three I had lost. Very sweet of him, and he did well picking colours....not ALL of them were blue. One is an almost completely white pied with strong blue on its back and a little bit of black. Another is a recessive pied sky blue and the other an olivey green / grey green opaline ...all females. Will post pikkies soon but my heart isnt in budgie photos right now.

Edited March 22, 200619 yr by budgiebird

Oh how awful for you! Sounds like you definately need to cat proof your yard. I would have thought they would be used to it by now (my birds are), but maybe this cat tries to actually get them (my cats just like to laze on the aviaries)

oh thats really sad i'm soo sorry. can't wait to see pictures of your new babies!

oh I am so sorry Karen, I know the pain in your heart , RIP little friends. I believe it was Hath that had a suggestion on he proofed his aviary, you might want to PM him.

oh I am so sorry Karen, I know the pain in your heart , RIP little friends. I believe it was Hath that had a suggestion on he proofed his aviary, you might want to PM him.

Thanks Lovey I will. It might be hard due to size of the aviaries but making the yard harder for cats to climb fences and get in might be a good idea. Will brainstorm and see what we come up with. Birds are smart ...they have moved to a safer sleeping position.

So sorry for your losses. I look forward to hearing about your new birds when you are up to it.

Oh my gosh! I'm really sorry about your birds Congrats on your engagement though, and be sure to post some pics of your new birdies.

oh my thats just too much for anyone at a time in your life when all things should be happy, i hope your okay. as for cat proofing, borrow a dog for a few days... a cat aggressive one should clear things up a bit, and maybe a spot light for the yard... but that may scare the fids.. anyway you choose to deal with the problem i hope you feel better and you don't loose anyone else!

I wonder if a fullsize picture of a bulldog on top of the aviaries would work ? Cant have a real dog cos it would scare our cats too. ours stay inside and only go out under supervision. The aviaries and yard is lit up at night and maybe thats why the birds have done as well as they have and moved to safer perches. Thankyou for your thoughts and posting. Cheers Karen

Gess I wonder why I don't like Cats

 

Budgiebird I am real sorry for your loss. I hve the same problems here. We sleep with a window next to the breeding cages open. I haven't lost any Birds or had any injuries but I don't want to take chances.

One of those baby monitor intercom thingies in the aviary and to my bedroom then cos I cant hear them as well since we moved into the new main bedroom. Should I set the "croaking frog" movement sensor on top of the aviary too, I wonder Might all help. I will talk to neighbours to identify the cat and then have a word with the owner re night time prowler ( in the nicest possible way ) ......maybe they will keep it

in at night ??

Well all the best.. I hope they do keep it in..

Is there anything they sell that smells that you can put around that cats don't like? Just thinking out loud??

Now remember Daz, the cat is not bad that is it's nature, it is the owners who chose to let them roam around during the night - shame on the owners!! (running to hide incase I offended anyone). Yes our 3 cats are indoor cats period.

Edited March 23, 200619 yr by lovey

Actually there is a product and I have some in a spray pack already...totally forgotten about. Thanks Lovey, I will spray the perimeter of the aviary roof and the fence and see if it helps. It wont be near the birds so they will be safe from the spray. Wonderful...I will give it a shot

l'm sorry for your loss , l know that it is hard.

Sorry to hear this Budgiebird

 

I thought of the smell thing too but also maybe a small light for the birds in the night. I know hard to do right well what about a solar one? You can get them from the Werehouse (cheapy store if you don't have one) for around $20 They are meant to go in your garden like garden lights Not sure how strong a light they give. That might be a proplem.

Im so sorry to hear this! After you were all getting settled in too. I use a solar light in the aviary when the nesting boxes are in, they are out by morning, so I am not sure how long they last. You could do like my hubby, and get a paint ball gun, (Laughing out loud) (did that put a smile on your face?)

Sorry to hear this Budgiebird

 

I thought of the smell thing too but also maybe a small light for the birds in the night. I know hard to do right well what about a solar one? You can get them from the Werehouse (cheapy store if you don't have one) for around $20 They are meant to go in your garden like garden lights Not sure how strong a light they give. That might be a proplem.

Thanks Nerwen. The aviaries are lit at night already, so thats why I think most of the birds have done as well as they have to move to safer perches. Last night at least eight budgies decided to perch in the Frangipani tree slung from branches like hammocks. It was an unusual sight at night The are less inclined to be near perimeter wire at night when sleeping.

 

Im so sorry to hear this! After you were all getting settled in too. I use a solar light in the aviary when the nesting boxes are in, they are out by morning, so I am not sure how long they last. You could do like my hubby, and get a paint ball gun, lol (did that put a smile on your face?)

Paintball gun Might end up with the worlds first red budgie too. Have the lights already happening. Believe me, although a cat lover, I have thought of extreme measure re THIS particular cat. :devil:

You poor thing, I am so sorry to hear about this. Have you found who the owner of the cat is yet?

You poor thing, I am so sorry to hear about this. Have you found who the owner of the cat is yet?

Thanks for your kind thoughts....no and we havent as yet had a return visit from the cat either. But the budgies are smarter now....they are roosting in the frangipani tree in the middle of the aviary away from the mesh. :bluebudgie:

that's good news!! They are clever wee things :bluebudgie: hope you are okay after your loss.

New cute babies to think about and watch makes it better :bluebudgie:

Just read this post Karen, I am so sorry to hear of this.

Thanks Karen. It was a great disappointment and sadness....especially losing this one, one of my favourites..... RIP Kitty :hap:

Sorry to hear of your sad loss one is enough but three. congrats on your engagement.