Breeding season 2006!

[dave85]

hi all,

i thought we could all contribute to 1 post instead of starting individual threads for each of us letting everyone know how things are going - even if its only minor e.g. nest building or even if you've had a failure.

Hope you'll all do your bit and add to it as well as keeping the threads created before hand upto date.

ill start it off -

so far ive got -

1 pr red head normal gouldians split orangehead - on 7 eggs :D

1pr of bengies - crested x non crested but both are chestnut & white split fawn - on first egg as of yesterday - proven pair & good fosters too.

1 fife canary - 3/4 green 1/4 yellow on - 3 eggs - came as total surprise as when i got it was unsure of sexe and when i put it with others it sang but is now incubating :S

1 pr of white java sparrows making a nest

1 pr bengies crested fawn & white split pearl cock x choc & white non crested hen - nest building - first timers.

also as i mentioned in another post i found some eggs in 1 of the nests in my mixed flight that houses - greensingers, goldbreasts, African silverbills(as i seperated the 3 indian hens now) and 2 cpq cocks (1 totally blind so is in there as the male is with dont bully him and hes quite happy rather than being in a cage) but the eggs were smashed so hoping ill have more soon since all the birds are always looking in nests.

So only a few for now but i could have a lot more if i set them up but wanting to sell some for and add species too.

Thanks
Dave

[Strawblady2000]

Great idea, Dave.

Good lulck on everything.

So far I've got:

1 pair goulds (rh split bh pb normal x bh pb normal) on 5 chicks (about 2+weeks old)

1 pr bengies w/ week old chicks (chestnut x chestnut)

1 pr strawberries just gone to nest...possibly have newly laid clutch and incubation beginning...not positive. Saw mating about 1 wk ago.

1 pr strawberries not doing diddly (male in molt)

1 pr goulds in conditioning...(rh pb yellow male x y/h pb normal hen)


Rest of the birds are younger, so we're just working on diet and maintenance, lol.

This year, not including the above, we've had

9 gould chicks, 4 berry chicks, 4 bengie chicks


Please share your activity!

[dave85]

hi all,

On a higher note from my previous post.

i have -

1 fife hen (variegated) on 3 eggs - 2 are fertile :D

African silverbills - both pairs seem to have nested together in same nest with - 7 eggs so far.

Bengie pair in a cage - have 5 fertile eggs - from crestnut chestnut & white split fawn cock x chestnut & white split fawn hen.

bengie pair in flight - Crested fawn & white split pearl cock x chocolate & white hen - 1 egg so far.

Also i think i have my pair of stars layed 2 eggs in a nest.

goldbreasts are attempting to nest :D never knew they were so protective of their nest as they chase any bird who lands near it away.

thats all for now.

Thanks
Dave

[Rogerb]

:smile: just to say a big well done to you both and your birdslook forward to your next posts :D

[kenny]

hi roger
well i think most peoples breeding seasons in this country should be kicking off now it has been scorching down here

ken8-)

[Rogerb]

:grin: yep today friday that is has been realy hot hear maybe thats what inticed the flegeees to skip the nest maybe to hot or maybe the right time to go for it

[jimmy]

Thought it about time i let you all know what i,m up to ( its not all bottles of Chardony and takeaways :-D ).

I've got 3 Fife hens, a Fife cockbird and 2 cock goldfinches. my intention was to take a round of canaries from each hen first, my sole cockbird has come up trumps and this has happened :D

For the next round from 2 of the hens i will introduce a cock goldie and go for a round of miniture mules, leaving 1 hen to produce another round of canaries with the cock canary.

I am also building a new birdroom, see pics below.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/7512x384.jpg

All the breeders are now complete

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/8512x384.jpg

[jimmy]

Some pics of my birds


The youngsters in the breeders are coming on well, i rung them yesterday, this is 2 of them.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/13512x384.jpg

Another with its Goldie stepdad

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/9512x384.jpg

One youngster with its mum

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/11512x384.jpg

And another on its own

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/10512x384.jpg

[jimmy]

Below is a nest of four 15 day old chicks which are in the flight, just after taking this picture, one decided to hop out the nest,
there then followed a mass exodus and i found myself with 4 chicks under my feet, panic set in and everytime i put them back in the nest they were out again, a quick phone call to my mentor and i was soon calmed down.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/15512x384.jpg


I then fixed the nest pan at ground level and they soon found it.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/17384x512.jpg

A little while after that dad came down to feed them

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/18384x512.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/21384x512.jpg

All in all a very eventful day, but a happy ending

[laurab]

Wow! Fantastic photos' Jimmy,

I am so pleased for you, well done mate ;)

Thank you for sharing your success with us.

P.S. Where can I get a pair of Goldies from??????

[jimmy]

Thanks Laura,

Goldies can be a bit scarce this time of year, Stafford in October would be a good time to buy some, just need to make sure you have a pair.

[Waxbillman]

brilliant photos Jimmy,

about time we heard from you, i expect you have been busy in the burbury factory making chav caps.

you've done a great job there Jimmy.

Matthew

[jimmy]

Thank you Matthew.

Yes mate its kept me busy and still a bit to do, a couple of kitchen units and a worktop next and then its some indoor flight cages for some British birds.

How did you get on with my mate John at Woodlea birds, its about 2 miles from mine, so i get all my seed and bits & bobs from him.

[Waxbillman]

we didn't see him when we went there was just a lass hanging about

Matthew

[kenny]

hi jimmy
really excellent photos and,even better chicks your cages are top notch aswell ,i am sorry didnt reply earlier but as you know i have been busy myself so when i have finished my cages i will put some pics up,really well done mate!

ken8)

[dave85]

hi all,

Jimmy, setup and birds are looking good!

Update!

African silverbills have - 11 eggs so my suspicions that both hens were laying in same nest maybe right!

Bengies in flight - have 2 eggs and 1 fostered egg

bengies in cage - are due any day fingers crossed!

stars and goldbreasts have both been nest building but as yet no eggs.

The canary hen i mentioned with eggs - is mystery as her nest was empty with no material and no eggs, so only explanation is another bird has disturbed it and chucked it all out and my quail have eaten eggs.

But shes rebuilding a nest! may try her in a cage.

Thats all for now
Thanks
Dave

[Rogerb]

jimmy what can I say excellent potos mate thanks thanks for showing us also big pat on the back for your success this season :D

[kenny]

hi dave
nice going mate.lets hope whats left hatches.its funny my quail ate one of their own eggs yesterday i think they must have been trying to tell me something

ken:lol:

[Strawblady2000]

Terrific photos!!!

I can only imagine the stress you felt! I know the feeling of lingering back...waiting for a chick to be fed, lol.....I think we ALL do!!

Great job!

Wonderful updates, everyone!

Keep em coming.

Somethings awry in my birdroom. Not sure what. I lost another chick on Sat...this time due to illness. Makes me wonder if the first loss last weekend was illness instead of injury. I dunno.

Keeping an eye on everyone...checking poops, activity level, etc. Started on an antiprotozoal med. we'll see what happens.

Well, on another note, 3 bengie chicks nearly 3 weeks old...cordons have gone to nest, but no eggs yet, strawberry chicks started hatching yesterday, and nesting activity amongst the goulds again.

[kenny]

hi nikki
if the youngsters will not take any medicines and the adults are still feeding them you can put it in their food and the young will get it that way or you can put it in the drinking water so they will get it that way

ken

[Strawblady2000]

Thanks Kenny,

That's what I usually do, unless the bird isnt eating or drinking...then I crop dose. Kinda creepy, but once you get the hang of it, it isnt too bad.

[Strawblady2000]

Ahhh...a new day.

Any updates???

lots of gould eggs,

3 fledged bengies.

strawberry chicks in nest (5 days old)

and CB's started laying this morning.

[Waxbillman]

F/A for me

[Strawblady2000]

F/A???

Dare I ask, LOL!

Seriously...what does it mean?


OMG...just got home...picked up a pair of berries for $25 a piece!!!!!! A steal, I think! One of the suppliers I use just got some in and gave me wholesale pricing WAY below those wholesale prices I've seen!


Wooohoooo!!!

[Waxbillman]

hello Nikki

i'll let you work that one out on your own, i don;t think the boss would like me swearing ;)

$25 each, thats a very good price, whats their history?

Matthew

[dave85]

To add to my breeding -

Been informed -

my pair of bengies in the cage - have chicks :D

My pair of Gold breasted waxbills & my pair of star finches are both on eggs :D :D :D

Things are looking up!

Thanks
Dave

[laurab]

At last I have a little baby! I didn't notice it until this afternoon and it was definately still inside it's shell yesterday.

Here is a pic of my tiny Jacarini :razz:

[jimmy]

Things are still ticking along nicely.

Moved some 4 week old chicks into the new birdroom on Saturday, these were weaned last week.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P2512x384.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P1512x384.jpg

The nest of chicks that jumped out last week all made it ok and i weaned these today, they are also in the new birdroom, i don't put perches in for a couple of days and confine them to a single cage where they have to almost sleep in the food, that way they know where it is.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P3512x384.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P4512x384.jpg

All my Hens are on eggs again, 2 of them have been in with a Cock Goldie for the past week or so and the other with a Cock canary.

Its difficult to know if the mule eggs will be full, due to being at work i don't see my birds for long and havn't seen the Goldies tread the hens

Time will tell

[jimmy]

Well done Laura, great stuff :-D

[laurab]

They look lovely Jimmy

Nice cages ;-)

[Waxbillman]

you cannot beat the sight of chicks.

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Cant agree more, Matthew!!!

Nice Jimmy!

Oh, and Matthew...havent figured out F/A....still working onit, but will you save me some time and PM me?

I thought I'd heard all the curse words, lol...but Im always apt to learn more!!!

:grin:

[Waxbillman]

i have pm'd you Nikki ;)

i was perhaps abit rash in using that, i do have some activity, but nothing will be reported until theres chicks on the perch

Matthew

[kenny]

laura nice to see you have some more jacarinis........jimmy your chicks look really top notch and glad to see you are moving them into your new cages.i am going to fix some sliders in mine hopefully this week i just hope i have the time. ......matt didnt know you were a football fan:lol:


ken

[laurab]

My other 2 eggs have hatched now. :razz:

[kenny]

hi laura
thats really good news,all i am doing at the moment is finishing cages and sexing my young javas from last year:cry:

ken

[Strawblady2000]

Oooh...I love hearing about all the new hatches!!! Congrats and good luck everyone.

Matthew,

I understand about waiting until the chicks are on the perch. Let us know what comes out soon, though!

And regarding the new berries...They were oibtained from a breeder who brought 13 of them in earlier that day. I've got them in quarantine now. They're already eating mealworms. The male is 95% doe with nuptial plummage. As the breeder brought them in at the same time, they could very well be from the same clutch...so they will be repaired with ones I know for sure are not related. Which prompts me to ask...how to berries handle being repaired if they've mated in the past? My goulds wont bother with a new mate and hold out for the old one. Are berries the same way? May just look for another pair later on...although I know the pricing will not be the same.

Oh, BTW...I bought them from the same place that bought my berry chicks, lol...they bought mine for $35 and I bought these for $25...so I dont feel like I lost out THAT much from selling mine for $35.

ANyhow, thatnks for the PM...I understand and have been there QUITE often, LOL!

[Waxbillman]

:lol: ;)


i wouldn't split established breeding pairs up, if you are to split them up take away from sight of each other, i cannot recall splitting established pairs,

Matthew

[jimmy]

Update on mule eggs

Once the hens were feeding i checked the mule eggs today, one hen was sitting on 5 clear eggs, i binned these and took away the nest pan and reintroduced the Goldie cock.

The other hen was on 3 eggs, 1 clear and 2 that look full , during the day i noticed she wasn't sitting on the nest, i checked the eggs and they were not to warm, i took the nest out and after removing the Goldie from the other hen i put it in with her, she sat straight on them :-P

I've put another goldie cock back in with the other hen and we will start again

Picture below shows the hen sitting on her adopted eggs, this is where the cage cards come in handy because i can tell from which cage they came from irrespective of which hen hatches them

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5190002512x384.jpg

Pic below of progress in the birdroom

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5190005512x384.jpg

Some of the young birds

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5190006512x384.jpg

[kenny]

hi jimmy
really nice pics you have there.superb kitchen unit also ...better than my kitchen mate great breeding record cards you have there and those youngsters look the business looks like you had a great start to the breeding year well done mate !


ken

[Strawblady2000]

Very nice, Jimmy. Great work!

Well, another update...Some good luck, some not so good, lol, but isnt that always the way it goes!

Of 3 berry pairs, one pair is raising chicks...2 weeks old today. One pair is in eclipse, and the last pair is still in a conditioning regimen, as they've only been with me a week.

Of 3 gould pairs, 1 pair laid a clutch, but I fostered them out today. Eggs are fertile, but I noticed hen wasnt interested. Tossed out dud eggs from another pair this morning. Third pair is still a bit young and is just working on bonding and playing. Separated them from the gould juvie flight to keep the hen from bonding with her brother, lol.

Of 2 pairs of bengies, one is now fostering gould eggs. Fortunately, they sat right away. The second pair has 3 chicks weaning...and I noticed today they started laying AGAIN, lol. Will keep these on standby in case I need to foster eggs, so its good to know they are in sitting mode if I need to do this.

And, my lone pair of CB's has started laying again. Their first clutch was bunk...clear eggs. I heard them singing and courting last week...so I moved them to a flight with a pair of berries. They started laying again, so we shall see. So far, they get along GREAT! And, the lighting for that cage is a little better, as the other breeder was on a bottom rack. Not too optimistic about the CB's brooding and raising their chicks, but we'll give it a go, lol.

Juvies (2 remaining of 5) from the batch that got sick are doing great so far. One is a boy for sure, as he tried out his singing voice today. The other...not sure of sex yet, but stance and slight differences lead me to believe its a hen...BUT, I noticed pin feathers and black feathers on its head which mean it will be a black headed bird.

On that note, I read somewhere that some people will pluck a small patch of baby feathers from the heads and breast of their juveniles...new adult colored feathers grow in and their coloration is known within a week of doing this. I'd never do this, lol, as it seems a bit mean...and knowing what color they are TODAY doesnt mean they can go anywhere for several months yet. I know they are not "super-birds" molting at an extremely early age...but I think the father plucked these feathers before I separated them due to aggression. In doing so, the juvie sprouted his adult colors in these patches. These new colored feathers backs up the article about seeing adult colors early, though my case was in no way intentional.

Hmm...I think that's it for today, lol. You know how things can change overnight.

Thanks for reading!

[harry]

Hi all
so far this year i have 6 Cuban Finch's,independent,7 Strawberry's,independent,
2 pair's of Senegal Firefinch's sitting tight(due to hatch 6-7 day's),another pair of
Cuban's with egg's and quite a few bengie chick's

Harry

[Strawblady2000]

Awesome, Harry!

Youre berry chicks arent all from 1 clutch are they???

I did a BRIEF nest check (with a flashlight from about 4 feet away, lol) and I saw at least 4 pairs of little eyes. Not sure if there are more. 1 chick died around hatch time, so that would make at least 5 for this clutch. Mom and dad dont sit much anymore and dont sleep in the nest much either...can't say I blame them LOL!

Great job.

[harry]

Hiya Nikki
no 4 are off 1 pair,parent reared,the other three are bengie reared,there was 5 in
the clutch but they started chucking them when i was on the way back from a jolly
down too Dorset bird's and the daughter was'nt sure what to do with them,when i
got back 2 were dead on the cage floor,SHE MUST HAVE FORGOT HOW TO USE HER MOBILE:shock:

Harry

[Strawblady2000]

EEK!

Well, glad to hear the other 3 made it.

I've had 2 clutches this year, from different pairs. One back in February and one in nest now. Seems 4-6 is the norm.

That's terrific.

Nothing liek that sinking feeling of finding chicks on the floor. My gouldians taught me that one all too well.

[kenny]

hi harry
that sounds like familiar territory mate,all they had to do was keep em warm for a couple of hours


ken

[jimmy]

Well, the 3 mule eggs were also clear so its back to square one with the muling, the hen that wouldn't sit on her eggs has rebuilt and laid another 2 eggs so far, we'll see how she goes.

The verigated hen in the flight had another 4 chicks hatch today.

I'm now starting to introduce a show cage to my first lot of young.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5280005512x384.jpg

As soon as one gets in the others follow.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5280006512x384.jpg

Just like home now.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P5280018512x384.jpg

[kenny]

hi jimmy
congratulations with the 4chicks hatching mate.and it seems like your youngsters are making excellent progress well done mate!


ken:mrgreen:

[Waxbillman]

well done Jimmy

Matthew

[Rogerb]

realy pleased for you jimmy love the pics :D when we were a stafford Chris kindly gave me a hen cpq :D thanks Chris she is now siting on 4 eggs my first this season

[Strawblady2000]

Excellent!!!

Man, you guys make me want to expand to canaries, etc...but I think my dear hubby would have a coronary. To him, I had too many birds about 20 birds ago, lol.

[Strawblady2000]

Got to witness berry chicks fledge this weekend!

I was in feeding birds in the morning...and 1 then 2 then 3 little berries came out of the nest at full speed, lol...they fledged at exactly 19 days. There are 5 total...the other 2 fledged the next day.

Their total clutch was 6, but 1 died shortly after hatch. This pair was wonderful at being first time parents.

[Waxbillman]

well done Nikki,

19 days not bad going, mine usually fledge at 21 days

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Thank you Matthew!

Last clutch fledged at 21. I was lucky enough to peek in the nest the day these ones hatched, so I got a definite hatch date.

LOL...19 days worked well. I was worried about them getting through the bars (long story, lol) so I had planned to be home on day 21...but, as they fledged on 19, it saved my butt from having to go to the in-laws house!!!! :razz:

Wondering if they will start another clutch in a few weeks. This pair is the only one in breeding mode right now.

I just want to keep these ALL TO MYSELF, lol!!!!

Hope you had a good weekend. Please post soon about your breeding season.

[kenny]

hi nikki/matt
its funny when they know its time to fledge the last few times my javas have fledged have been text book 30 days exactly,yes nikki they are very lazy!

ken;)

[Strawblady2000]

Yes, Kenny, it is!

Javas take a little longer, right? I remember my first gouldian chicks fledged at like nearly 30 days!! They just wouldnt come out!!!

The berries are so cute...all feathered, except a couple have 1 piece of downy fuzz left on the tops of their heads...so they look almost crested, LOL!!!! It's adorable.

[kenny]

hi nikki
up to now every java i have bred has come out fully feathered and ready to eat they still go back to the nest on a night time but they dont get fed by the parents much

ken

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Kenny,

Forgive me, as I dont know much about java's aside from their beauty. Do they roost in a nest at night normally, like bengies do?

My bengies are the only ones that roost in a nest when not breeding...the rest pay it no attention until they are ready to breed.

As far as the young going back in, my baby berries will still go in/out of it, roosting at night. The gouldian chicks will do the same for a few days.

But, when they fledge, even though they are picking at softfood within a few days, they are pretty dependant on the parents for another week or two.

[kenny]

hi nikki
it depends on the parents with mine,if they have youngsters some stay in the nest with the young and some just sit on the peg outside as if they are keeping guard sometimes though it is not possible for them to get in the nest as they have a nest box roughly the size of a budgie nesting box and sometimes you can get five young in there so its a bit crowded........but if you carry on giving them nesting material they will fill the box to bursting mine have even pinched millet sprays that haven`t been eaten and shoved them in there nest so they do get pretty crowded out

ken

[Waxbillman]

i have abit of action in the aviaries but i don't want to report owt till i have chicks on the perch (if)

Matthew

[kenny]

hi matt
just hang fire like i do mate,chicks on sticks mate,chicks on sticks

ken

[Waxbillman]

exactly Ken

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Matthew,

I know, I know...just hoping to SQUEEZE an update out of ya. Fingers crossed for you and some healthy-chick-mojo comin your way.


I'm superstitious when it comes to stuff like that, but I only blab cause I've no one else to talk to about them...and my inner monologue gets a little overcrowded, LOL!!!

Hi Kenny,

I saw this with the millet sprays...pretty funny and very intricately woven in into the nest!!

[dave85]

hi all,

After going home today - i checked all my nests, etc.

So to report.

My pair of bengies (breeding in cage) - have 3 chicks in nest all healthy and almost ready to fledge - 2 fawn&whites and a chestnut&white.

My pair of bengies (breeding in flight) - all there own eggs were clear but i had fostered a single star finch egg i found unbroken as there was 2 but 1 was cracked - so upon checking today i have a CHICK it'll be my first star chick if its reared to maturity being around a week old now.

My African silverbills are doing my head in - they have constructed 2 nests - from the 2 pairs they seem to both conjoin breeding efforts to the same nest and lay a good dozen eggs between the 2 hens but never incubate to full term.

What can i do?? as ive got 2 nests full of cold eggs going to waste - do you think seperating pairs would help? 1 to cage and other stay in flight?

The Goldbreasts have had a disaster :( i lost my hen today - i believed old age as she didnt have a mark on her and wasnt suffering from illness.

So ill be on look out for a hen?? if anyone sees any?

I have 2 pairs out of the colony of 10 birds deciding to nest on the floor in mud scrapes type of thing.

i have a Ringneck dove sat on 2 eggs - she hatched 2 chicks in last clutch but sadly lost them - not trying to breed them as in mixed collection but they still try.

Ive found a buyer for all of my zebras :) so hopefully will be using the money towards a couple pairs of red heads and hopefully a hen at stafford :D :D

Sold nearly all my surplus java sparrows - just got 1 pair and a hen left - if anyone is interested?

thats all from me at present but will keep you posted.

Finish uni in 2 weeks, so hopefully have more time at home and will be breeding more.

plus ill be recieving a pair of bichenos on sunday yay.

Thanks
Dave

[Strawblady2000]

Hi all,

Well, just to be fair (and to vent a little, lol) I thought I'd post about my crap luck this week. :evil:

Threw out 3 clutches of eggs. 1 infertile CB clutch, 1 infertile gould clutch, and 1 fertile gould clutch that died in shell.

Down to 1 clutch of gould eggs and 1 of bengie eggs. Only been incubating for 5 days or so...but showing signs of fertility.

So...today, I'm quoting an expression I learned from Matthew not long ago...in the kids' absence, of course, LOL!

I only though it fair to share the downs in addition to the ups...grumble grumble.

[dave85]

hi nikki,

im sorry to hear of the bad week you've had.

im home today and went in aviary - decided to remove all the silverbills eggs and throw them away any guesses how many there was??

ill post when people have guessed - they came from 2 hens in 2 clutches.

my 3 bengie chicks are about to fledge as i found out when 2 of the dived out the nest towards me when i was checking on them.

the lone chick fostered under my bengies could be 1 of 2 types now a silverbill or a star only time will tell i guess.

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
silverbills....................................... ..at least 2 dozen i would say mate

ken

[dave85]

hey kenny,

not a bad guess mate - 28 eggs! and half of them had almost fully formed chicks in them,so unsure why they didnt hatch maybe it was the bad weather weve had in recent weeks.

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
if they were all like that you need some humidity in there,the have obviously been sitting the eggs but without any moisture they probably would not hatch.i usually spray mine while they are in the nest if they dont come out to bathe

ken;-)

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Dave,

I agree with Kenny. Either it is lack of humidity or they got chilled during the bad weather.

I too just lost a clutch due to dead-in-shell. Mine died at different stages though. I did an examination of each egg...and each indicated that it was lack of humidty. Examination of the eggs can give you some clues as to what may have happened.

I think they were at various stages because when this particular pair of goulds incubates, they start on the first egg, unlike most goulds who incubate after the clutch is laid or the 4th-5th egg, whichever comes first. The male is just a bit overzealous.

[gregd]

Hi Nikki,

just read your last post re examining the dead in shell and lack of humidity.

I am intrigued by this. Could you explain what you found when you examined the eggs.

I have heard a few theories but I dont know the answers. If you could shed some light I would be most grateful.

My shed was very hot today and the chicks were lying over the nest pans panting. I would imagine the humidity dropped considerably. I sprayed all the birds and put a fan in but would reckon the fan would reduce the humidity.

Any info would be very helpful

Greg

[Waxbillman]

hello Greg

if you want to increase the humidity then place a dish of water on the floor and/or poor some water on the floor if you can, this will then evaporate and thus increase hunidity.

Matthew

[chris]

Hi Greg,

just to add to matthew's suggestions, you could also try a small fishtank with a heater in it set to just above rom temperature. this should evaporate the water that bit quicker and raise the humidity.

Chris;-)

[kenny]

hi matt
in my old aviary it was perfect.i used to have gravel on the floor and when it was hot i hosed them down and the humidity was perfect


ken

[Strawblady2000]

Great suggestions Guys,

I think each of them would be very effective at raising humidity!! Awesome!

As I dont have room, I provide extra bath water and use a spray bottle a couple of times a week. Some of the birds also dunk themselves in the drinking water...which is a signal to me to get out the bathing dishes or spray bottle, lol.

Even bathing will moisten their feathers enough for when they return to nest to sit...the moisture will transfer to the eggs.

Greg, I should probably start a thread in a different forum...it could end up being quite long. Fascinating, though!!

[kenny]

hi nikki
at the moment my javas are missing their baths as they are used to having them regular but they had them in a big dish and they will not use those cage front baths so i have to finish my aviary soon so i can put a dish down just for them and watch them bathing,its magical!



ken

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Ken,

Well, if I've ever seen a bird truly "have fun" it has been while it is bathing.

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Greg,

Here is the thread about Dead In Shell:

http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?p=12247#post12247

Hope it helps. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in there.

[jimmy]

What a week.

I found the verigated hen that had the 4 chicks mentioned in my last report, dead on the flight floor on sunday morning, i can only think that something spooked her during the night and she flew into the side of the shed

Its now tuesday evening (3 full days later) and the chicks are still with me, they are now 9 days old, the cock bird must be feeding them, bless him.

I had a hen in the shed on mule eggs, i checked these and they were clear so i binned them and put her in with him, maybe she's helping him.

I have another canary on mule eggs in the shed, its to early to check these yet so i don't know if they're full or not.

My 1st round of young are taking to the show cages well, pics below.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6020010512x384.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6020008512x384.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6020006512x384.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6020001512x384.jpg

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Jimmy,

Sorry about your hen. I'm thrilled to learn that the chicks are still alive. Good work on the father's part, as well as ton the part of the hen you added.

Beautiful photos!!!

They look very robust and healthy!

[Waxbillman]

hello Jimmy

same as Nikki said,

Matthew

[jimmy]

Thank you both :wink:

Who'd keep birds hey :smile:

[kenny]

hi jimmy
never mind mate it happens to the best of us,but you must be very proud of those youngsters they are really looking good now .you will be showing them next mate

ken8-)

[Rogerb]

:D :D yes Im a daddy my cpq that Chris gave me at Staford has hatched 6 chicks 5 black stripe and 1 yellow mum and babys doing fine :D :D

[kenny]

hi roger
thats great mate,but you are all making me jealous now

ken:mrgreen:

[jimmy]

Well thats my breeding season over for this year.

I started the year with a greenie hen, 2 cock goldies, 3 fife hens and a cock fife.

The greenie hen escaped :oops: , A cock goldie and a fife hen both pegged it during the season :sad:

I ended up with 7 young fifes on the sticks and 2 more which i weaned today, i also lost 3 youngsters at different stages, i never managed any goldie mules, i think my canaries started early and produced clear eggs for the first couple of rounds, i was determined to let them have a round of canaries first and i think by the time i had achieved this they were washed out and not interested in the goldies, but there could be several reasons why, so more swatting up on breeding mules for me, plus with more canaries and cages next year i can afford to be a bit more flexible.


Pic below is of the 2 chicks i weaned today at 23 days old, they were from a clutch of 4 whose mother died when they were 5 days old and they were raised by the cock bird.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6200018512x384.jpg

[Waxbillman]

great, must be a bit depressing this time of the year then, nor more chicks?

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Jimmy,

Well, I think you did great this year. Heck, with the way things have been going in general, you've done terrific!

When your season is over, do you switch to a more austere diet? Reduce protein at all to wind them down?

I'm about to say f/a for the rest of the year. Lots of issues lately in there and I think I've almost had it! . Time to let things wind down and work on maintenance.

Out of 5 breeding pairs of birds, they yielded 14 gouldian chicks, 9 strawberries, 12 bengies. All but 2 gould chicks and 5 berry chicks have been sold. Most of the berry chicks are spoken for...the others will be held back, as I'm greedy:mrgreen:

Latest berries are 6 weeks old. No signs of parents going back to nest. Other 2 pairs of berries are in eclipse...so no action there.

Others hatched, but died at various stages. The goulds have given me a run with my patience, lol. 3 goulds in separate hospital cages. Dont think it looks good for them.
:(

I do have newly hatched chicks...5 more bengies and a fostered gould chick all in the same nest. So far so good, but I have the homemade brooder set up just in case.

This is my first true breeding season...and if I try to be positive, I'd say that the times where problems have arisen are the times I've learned the most....and smoked the most cigarettes (not in the house, of course). Too bad I dont drink, lol!

[kenny]

hi jimmy
well done mate,not bad going for your first season,i dont think anyway at least you will have a few more birds than you syaryed with and you also have a nice bunch of birds for breeding stock next year.great stuff !


ken

[dave85]

hi all,

The latest ive been told about going on in my birdroom is -

1 ringneck dove chick (ive yet to see it but will do on saturday or sunday).

Various cockatiels trying to nest on the ground with some fertile eggs being produced but pairs keep switching whos sitting on the eggs lol daft birds.

And success what i seen the other for my own eyes - in same flight as cockatiels i have 8 chinese painted quail, which i have one of the hens broody :D:D first time ive ever seen one do this.

Shes a lovely cinnamon-pearl colour - so fingers crossed and shes covering about 12 eggs lol.

plus i have bengies in flight on 2eggs, possibly in same flight my new bichenos on 2 eggs :D

Then the best ive got yet is 3 nice bengies on the sticks - chestnut & whites and possibly fawn & whites.

Thanks
Dave

p.s - still looking to follow in jimmys footsteps as he has noticed in that im after a goldie cock and some small hen canaries, i may have sorted myself a pair of red heads at last!! after i lost my cock a couple of weeks ago :( must have been older than i thought it was.

Also im planning alot of alterations to my setup now my course is over! and ill be at home alot more now.

First is 6 flightcages - these will be used for my 5 pairs of cockatiels, then a smaller sectioned flight near these to house something bigger.

Do you think 2ft w x 3ft d x 3ft h big enough for a pair of cockatiels?

Then im still deciding on how to work my birdroom as thinking of having the whole back wall with built in flight cages and cages for the finches and canaries, so ill hopefully get more success and control than in flights.

Maybe a new topic can offer me some ideas from you all to help me out?

[kenny]

hi dave
sounds really promising mate,looks like your going to have your hands full for the next few months:-D glad your doing it while your young mate i have nearly finished mine......but it has nearly finished me aswell! but my roof goes on on thursday good luck with your project mate and a few pics as you go along will be apreciated and a few pics of your new bengies also.

ken


p.s. sorry i missed you last night .........my son told me!;)

[dave85]

hi kenny,

NO worries buddy - catch you another time for a natter.

We've already built new flights of 18ft x 18ft which are into 2 sides with a corridor down middle but im planning on turning one into more smaller flight cages for breeding mainly. then my birdroom is a mess and not making use of space so im going to re-fit it.

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
i used to have 2 flights originally when i first started but it just turne out a waste of space i had a breeding block in the middle and 2 indoor flights at either side but they never really got used,the best one i think was the last one i had i built a bank of cages and had the aviary next door and put a pop hole on to one end of a line of five cages so that i could catch a bird up put it in the middle set of cages and they flew out into the aviary when they were ready to.that was in 1988 though i had to review the way it was made later on.but you will get to a place where you think you have a perfect set up eventually just make sure a lot of thought goes into it especially with a view to what birds you may keep in the future.


ken:)

[dave85]

hey all,

im looking forward to getting some new birds!

but on a even better note!

i had a surprise today when i came home - checked my mixed finch flight -

And i have 3 AFRICAN SILVER BILL chicks! dint even know they were nesting!

Got about 6 eggs under my pair of bichenos :D which is wicked since ive only had them about 2weeks.

ive got a bengie pair on 2 eggs but look clear, so i fostered a definate star finch egg which i found cold.

in my other flight i have -

2 nests with diamond doves - 1 nest has 1 fertile egg almost ready to hatch i think and the other has 4 eggs with the 1 i looked at was fertile.
with the diamond doves i have 3 hens and 2 cocks.

plus in same flight i have 2 lots of bengie eggs :) so all is on the up.

Coupled with my v.nice 3 fledgling bengies they are nice size same size as cock already, so should be bigger than him which is super!

so bring on 2006 season still time to come :)

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
sounds as if your birds have been really busy for you mate,well done

ken;-)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hello all,

I have read through this thread and there are a few cases where I'm sorry things haven't worked for you, but there are also more cases where congratulations are offered.:D

Due to yet another late start on my part I'm still at the waiting for eggs to hatch and others to go to nest stage.:roll:

I have Japanese Waxwings, Pekin Robins, Indian Silverbills, Scaly Crowned Weavers, Jacarini Finches and exhibition Bengalese Finches incubating eggs, my fingers are crossed that results will come from all of these.:grin:

But I also have Timor Sparrows and Red Crested Finches showing signs of nesting for me, also White Headed Nuns are using various nests provided and possibly freely built nests low in the cover provided that I cannot view properly.

And there are other pairs that aren't showing signs of nesting (yet), but the way this year is going weather wise there could be 3 months left of breeding?

Paul.;-)

[Waxbillman]

sounds like you are going to have a grand year there breeding wise and i really hope you have success, did you get the information on red-crested finches i sent you?

Matthew

[dave85]

hi all,

Paul sounds like you are going to have a busy time to come good luck!

Make that 4 African silverbills and ill post a picture when i can - 3 are dark almost black skinned and 1 is pink, so wonder what colour they'll be? they are from a chocolate cock x normal hen.

Once some birds are picked up today, i shall be setting 3 prs of fife canaries up and possible a coloured trio e.g. 2 cocks & 1 hen.

Matt,

The red heads dont seem as bad as yours ive given them a budgie box and a wicker nest plus coconut fibre and they have spent a small amount of time in the nest last night e.g. they mainly slept in the budgie box but this morning they are out and about flying around in there cage.

fingers crossed they will be successful if they go to nest?

The diamond doves have 4 eggs all fertile and together in 1 nest as the 1 on its own was not being sat well so i moved it and 2 doves are sitting on the 4 eggs and i removed 1 broken clear egg.

Success again!!!! the egg i fostered under the bengie pair from the star finches is fertile it has veins in it today, so ill keep an eye on it. And hopefully ill have more success with it being reared to the perch this time round.

The bicheno pair are being very very good sitters and there is always 1 of them sat on there clutch of 6 constantly and i can walk upto a foot of the nest before they even more, so i can in and check on my silverbill chicks and other nests without the sitter moving a muscle - just hoping the eggs are fertile! ive been told they are like zebra finches once they've had a successful nest.

Thats all for now but ill keep you updated.

I should be recieving some more indian silverbills soon plus a hen kakariki for my crazy cock bird lol.

plus im getting a pair of Blue headed pionus :D

Thanks
Dave

[jimmy]

WHOOOO UP JIMBO, HOLD YA HORSES PARDNER :-P

Did i say in my last post that my breeding season was over, well surprise surprise, its not :-D

I was looking for a canary that is in a treble breeder with a cock goldie and there it was huddled up in the corner sitting on an egg :-D

The egg was broken but i've put a nest pan and some material in and she's starting to build. :razz:

This canary has showed no signs of doing anything for a least a month and i thought that was it for this year, i'm not holding up much hope but you never know.

[jimmy]

The prospective mum & dad. :razz:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6290045512x384.jpg

A pic below of the 2 chicks i weaned 9 days ago.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P6290037512x384.jpg

[Waxbillman]

sounds great and fingers crossed

Matthew

[kenny]

hi jimmy
well sounds like this is possibly your first muling project getting of the ground
great news mate

ken:mrgreen:

[laurab]

Good luck Jimmy ;)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Jimmy,

Nice one chappie,;) I hope this pairing works out for you matey.:D

And don't forget that until some big bird on your street starts singing on a programme on channel five, that your breeding season will continue.:roll:

Paul.:lol:

[Savant]

Hi All

I have eggs! only bengalese eggs but it is still further than I got last year. They've been taking it in turns to sit on them for the past week so hopefully they should hatch sometime next weekend.

However I am not holding out much hope because they are quite old birds 02 bred on their leg rings. But I am still excited that I have got this far.

I also took a trip to North Cornwall Aviaries last Thursday and aquired a pair of green singing finches although the cock has not yet sung and a pair of bronze winged mannikins (not sure if they are a true pair) so am hopeing to breed from the green singing finches maybe this year if there is still time left.

Does anyone know when the best time of the year is for them and if they will breed in a double breeder or do they have to be in an aviary.

Thanks Alan

[dave85]

Success Success Success at last things are looking up! :)

i have a full house! i had 5 bicheno eggs and they all hatched :) oldest 2 are 3days old now and youngest 2 hatched today.

i have a single bengie chick in the flight from chestnut self cock x fawn&white hen - the chick is around 3/4 days old now.

Then today i found another single bengie chick hatched today - fawn&white cock x albino hen.

My 4 African silverbill chicks are doing well! i think i have 3 chocolates and 1 other, which is alot lighter coloured feathers and pinky beak.

Thanks
Dave

[Rogerb]

:smile: xelent good news all round hope there is more to come :smile: sorry to hear Anne's bad news hope things will take get better for you MR B

[chris]

Hi Alan,

they *should* breed in a double breeder, however mine build nests and then destroy them the same day. they will breed in an aviary much easier

Chris

[kenny]

ok
i wasn`t sure before now i am,the first born in my new birdroom to a self fawn hen and a mostly white ,chocolate/white cock bird 4 bengie chicks out of 5 eggs 1 clear egg and 4 light coloured chicks heard some rasping the other day and thought i was hearing things but i got the mirror out while the parents where feeding and there they where all a decent size aswell.so i am a bit chuffed today after having a bad week last week

ken:razz:

[Waxbillman]

great news Ken!!

Matthew

[kenny]

hi matt
i must have got something right for a change


ken:lol:

[Rogerb]

very pleased for you kenny hope ther is more to come :grin: :grin: MR B

[kenny]

hi mr B
thanks mate i am keeping my fingers crossed as the luck i have had just lately has been terrible !:sad:


ken

[dave85]

hi kenny,

congratulations - hope this is 1 of many more to come :)

Thanks
Dave

[ANNIE]

Hi Kenny, I'm Really Pleased For You I Know How Exciting It Is Finding New Babies Do You Offer Your Finches Any Soft Foods Or Live Or Just Keep To The Seed As I Tried Both The Live And Egg Food For The Very First Time And I Don't Know How To Rate It Really As This Was My First Clutch Of Bengalese Although They Ate Alot Of Both. The Only Draw Back Was I Had The Cage In My Utility Room And I Kept Finding Nasty Crawly Mealworms In My Pile Of Clean Washing..yuk

[kenny]

hi annie
make that 5 bengies in the nest now as there was one egg unhatched yesterday and i just took it that it was clear but left it in incase the hen squashed the others.regards feeding i have sometimes just fed bengalese ordinary seed in the past years and they have reared chicks successfully but normally i feed soaked seed and eggfood mixed aswell as their ordinary seed when i started keeping birds there was only ce-de widely available but i went over to quiko when it first come out and then went back to ce-de as the place i got it from stopped selling the quiko.but now for the past few years i have used e m p its a lot easier to get hold of and i think its better than most plus its made in yorkshire:-P but each to his own ! i have given my bengies green food of different kinds in the past but they dont seem to eat enough of it when breeding to warrant buying it in for them but they get the odd bit of dandelion or cress.i put my soak seed with a bit of moisture still on it with a dish and put enough eggfood on it to soak up the excess that way its nice and crumbly and not to wet and i always sprinkle P Y M onthe top and mix it up and by the morning or the next feeding time there is always non left

ken8-)

[Waxbillman]

i would definately agree with Ken

some breeders knock it, but you cannot beat feeding moist EMP, everything eats it, especially when chicks are about, it is also available in over 900 stockists, you'll never run out!

Matthew

[kenny]

hi matt
and dont forget the selenium thats in it that protects the birds from the harmful effects of free radicals.plus of course you can feed it dry but i have not as i like it just moist and crumbly...well the birds do as i have never eaten it myself

ken:-P

[kenny]

hi all
well its all going off at once ,the pair of fawn zebras my daughter bought me for fathers day,have 2 chicks at the moment in a nest in the aviary as she didnt want me to keep them in a cage i let them out into the outside as they are the only pair i have at the moment and i was a day late checking the eggs and hey presto!.....................i have been keeping this on the back burner as i wanted to make sure it was going to make it before i put a picture up but my wife bought me a pair of border canaries a while back and they where extremely fit and this was the outcome and is actually the first born in my birdroom not the bengies! it is 14 days old and my wife has named it "colin" even i have no idea what sex it is the hen laid 3 eggs and it smashed 1 getting of the nest and one was clear which i left in the nest so this little un would survive

ken

http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=459&stc=1&d=1152917300

[Waxbillman]

top notch Ken

Matthew

[dave85]

hi all,

sorry any updated in a little while.

My bichenos are due to fledge anyday now :D

i have my pair of Pearl bengies on 4 eggs so far

i have my pair of white java sparrows on 5 so far

also discovered today that the silverbills have 3 eggs :) but may foster these if i can as im going to move them from that flight.

Also a daft cockatiel nesting in a finch box with 3 eggs lol

oh and my single bengalese chick is growing well and looks likes its going to be a nice fawn & white poss clearflighted.

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
sounds like your birds have ben busy mate,and you seem to have avoided all the weather problems that everyone else has had .great stuff dave well done


ken8-)

[vixen]

Hi all. sorry i have not been on for a while been very busy with lots of things that i don't get to do when i am working.we have got no plants at the mo although having a delivery in this week first pansies for the winter.This is what my birds are up to,javas hatched and fledged 3,2 white 1 normal.zebras hatched and fledged 2 white,the CBM have laid but not hatched taken over a new nest box.Goudians taken a nest box nothing yet,orange cheeks taken a nest box so will have to wait and see.will let you know.
Trudy

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Trudy,

Congratulations on your mixed bag of breedings so far.

All the best for the rest of the year, Paul.;)

[kenny]

hi trudy
nice one things are looking up for you at last!


ken

[dave85]

hi all,

My 4 Bicheno chicks have fledged now :D and ive split rung them all will post images of them when i get chance.

Also my african silverbills are now on 5 eggs :)

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi all
my youngster is getting bigger by the day ...i think he is going to be ok!


ken









http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=486&stc=1&d=1154040000

[Strawblady2000]

Hi All,

Kenny, so glad to hear Colin is doing well. Cute name!


Well, my breeding season is winding down. I've separated all my gouldian pairs and removed them to single-sex flights so they can be rested by Oct/Nov and do their molting thing.

Another pair of berries has gone to nest...should be hatching mid-next week, if all goes well.

My first season yielded:
15 gouldian chicks (14 from one pair)
13 bengies (from 1 pair)
9 berries with another clutch coming (from 2 pairs)

I got a nice surprise this week. The last clutch of gouldians failed...only 1 remaining. But, I think it is a blue or pastel blue gouldian. The parents are first timers, so I am unsure of their genotypes...but this would certainly throw a loop into what I thought they were split with. I will be re-pairing these 2 next year. I don't think I could ever bring myself to sell it, but blue gouldians can sell for upwards of $300 a piece.

Did I mention how glad I am to be back?????

[laurab]

Hi Nicci

I am SO pleased to have you back, and glad to read of you successes :p

I have been reading today of the extreme heat that California is suffering (probably a million miles away form you) and we thought we had it bad!

I have often been tempted to buy a pair of Gouldians, maybe one day......

I am on holiday now for 2 weeks, imagine that, 2 weeks of being able to sit and watch my birds.........heaven!!

Now you're back, get posting girl :wink:

[kenny]

hi all

found anest in the aviary today with 6 fertile java eggs in it i think they are starting to lay now that they have all settled down.i rung my bengies today as i am going for whites again and i have some that are 3 parts white and keeping them back to get more white in them but i am also having to pair them back to some pale self fawns as they have a better size and in my experience most whites i have seen tend to be alot smaller than the normal bengies


ken

http://bestsmileys.com/transform/15.gif

[kenny]

hi matt
this fellow is a bit raggy as he is moulting but i think he will be ok when he has finished when my son brought him home he looked like a vagrant but he has been getting eggfood and tonic seed and regular baths so he should come out of it ok


ken8-)


http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=491&stc=1&d=1154212689

[dave85]

hi kenny,

good luck with javas - ive got a fertile clutch of 5 whites at the moment (let me know if interested in young later in season).

with the bengies - you trying to breed dark eyed whites? or albinos?

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
will letr you know what happens with the javas,i am just hoping to get some whites to begin with haven`t made my mind up yet


ken8-)

[dave85]

hi all,

:D

UPDATE!

ive got -

2 chicks under a pair of cockatiels - unplanned but oh well ( both appear lutinos, so will be hens). if anyone is interested in the chicks let me know?

the 5 fostered african silverbills are doing good, under my pair of pearl bengies with the first chick hatching today :D is normal as dark skinned - fingers crossed the others hatch soon.

the 5 java sparrow eggs are due anyday - so will let you know when they hatch.

i have a both my trio and my pair of diamond doves, sitting on 2 eggs each.

a pair of ringneck doves are on eggs due to hatch soon

my gouldians are still on 4 as im aware but not sitting, so will monitor next couple days and may have to foster.

ive got 2 pairs of bengalese nesting so ill refer them as -

beng nest 1 & beng nest 2

beng nest 1 has 4 eggs at present
and beng nest 2 has 2 eggs

i think beng nest 1 is incubating and beng nest 2 is still laying bt sitting in the nest.

the indian silverbills are nesting woooo! so far got a nicely built nest with its 2nd egg in today and have noticed another nest has been lined very well so maybe more eggs soon.

plus i have i think my star finches on 2 eggs.

Also discovered! possibly the work of the green singers - a semi bowl constructed free standing in the buddlei bush as big as a small dessert bowl rather flatish but has a small indent, so fingers crossed it is theres they will add to it and breed which to me will be brilliant as theyve been in condition all year but only just doing something about it. Will try and get a picture of this!

And other images were possible.

Thanks
Dave

[dave85]

hi all,

As of today ive checked all my nests -

i have -

5 african silverbill chicks under my pair of pearl bengies, 3 normals and 2 different coloured.

Also i have 3 java sparrow chicks under my pair of whites - i think the other 2 eggs were 1 clear and other dead in shell.

ive had to foster the gouldians eggs as they wasnt sitting, so are now in with a nest of bengies - 4 eggs of each.

ive still got me hen star sitting but now on 3 eggs.

the ringneck dove and diamond doves are still sitting

my indian silverbills are nesting and incubating by the warmth of the eggs, quite alot around 8 i think.

And the pair of African silverbills i nested in a cage are on about 6 eggs again.

Thanks
Dave

[kenny]

hi dave
you seem to be having a better time that most of us with your birds you lucky git

ken

[laurab]

Well done to all who have managed to breed this year, no matter how few....it all goes towards sustaining our hobby ;)

I have not managed much at all this season but I am pleased to say that my Bourke's who managed to rear one of their babies now have another 4 eggs and the hen is sitting tight :-P

[laurab]

I managed to get a peek inside the Bourke nest box today, there are at least 2 babies :razz: I also have a baby weaver that looks to be about 3 days old, and Elsa's bengie has hatched out 2 of the eggs :p

[kenny]

hi laura
great news,i knew the bengies would come through as you cant knock them for parentage values and also great news with the bourkes and the weaver chick

ken

[Waxbillman]

brilliant news Laura

Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm pleased to hear about your recent hatchings, it's good news that Elsa's first year is looking more promising.:grin:

It is also good news that the Bourkes are still hatching chicks, I hope they produce larger broods next year, but the best news is that you have hatched yet another Weaver chick, well done mate!!:D
Well that is apart from the fact that I'm still well and truly over the moon you have managed to fledge two Cape Sparrows.

Well done mate, Paul.;)

[laurab]

Hi all

Elsa has had 2 G. Song Sparrows fledge today and there is another one still in the nest :razz:

[Waxbillman]

brilliant Laura, and Elsa

Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura and Elsa,

I hope the previous bad results with the Golden Song Sparrows are made up with the better results this time around.;)

All the best with this round, Paul.:-D

[laurab]

I am trying to persuade Elsa to write something for the junior section of C&A

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm certain many C&A readers will find the article interesting reading mate, but the content of the Junior section will be most grateful too.

Paul.;)

[kenny]

yep
great news elsa nad mum,getting an article in the junior section would be great for elsa

ken

[jimmy]

These are some of the youngsters i bred earlier this year.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150107600x450.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150104600x450.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150103600x450.jpg

[jimmy]

And some more

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150091600x450.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150087600x450.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/groundforce/P9150078600x450.jpg

[kenny]

hi jimmy
wow mate they have come on really well,i particularly like the clear yellow and the buff as you know i am a sucker for them.cant beleive how they have come on which ones will you be muling with then

ken

p.s. you are making me jealous

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Jimmy,

Some nice looking birds mate,:wink: but as you know by now they should look their true best once the have fully completed the moult, the shape is looking good already though.:D
Do you breed them just for Muling purposes, or do you intend on showing them as good Fifes in their own right?

Paul.:wink:

[Rogerb]

hiya jimmy thanks for the picx mate lovely birds wish I hade some but the wife has nicked all the averys :( as they do :lol: :lol: :lol: