|
|
Post by Learner on May 30, 2015 8:22:18 GMT
Beautiful Chicks  They appear to be Normal Green and Olive. Thanks for the colour info. I thought they might be.... but it's still a surprise to me that I'm not looking at two chicks who are mainly grey as they appeared to be mostly that in their first baby-gro outfits.  And... Thanks for the advice Hezz. I intended putting an up-turned plastic box in the cage very soon as a precaution so the chicks will have somewhere to hide should they need to. At present there is no sign of either considering leaving the nest but I guess it won't be long from now. My biggest worry is Sundays as I only visit the aviary early morning and again in the evening (avoiding my sister's visiting times to see our mother... and avoiding arguments). I may have to break my rule and slip into the back-garden to check on them.  |
|
|
|
Post by suesbird on May 30, 2015 8:39:17 GMT
Oh dear, perhaps you can train them to bite your sister.  |
|
|
|
Post by BudgiesBuddy on May 30, 2015 8:40:54 GMT
Grey fur is a sign of green chicks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on May 30, 2015 10:51:05 GMT
Oh dear, perhaps you can train them to bite your sister. Oh I love it!!  Ooops, sorry, I meant to say ...... suesbird, how could you suggest such a thing???  |
|
|
|
Post by Learner on May 30, 2015 15:19:39 GMT
Oh... just as life seemed settled and ordered (as if that were ever the case here):
This morning, after knocking (as is polite and usual) on the nest-box door to say hello, I discovered they have been "busy" again!!
Fluffy Grey moved slightly to one side to reveal................... an egg!
Oh dear... that's not in the book! They obviously didn't concentrate when I read that chapter out loud. According to the book they ought to be waiting until Tom & Gerry are out and feeding. (Fledged) Then there might be a slight rest period before we consider the future.
What now? I wonder. Tooo late to read the book to them again.
Should I simply let Fluffy Grey sit there hoping the chicks, (presently called) Tom & Gerry, continued to be cared for or should that egg disappear somewhere?
I know that Fluffy and Charlie have managed just two chicks but I hadn't been in the least concerned about that. I hadn't been expecting round 2
|
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on May 31, 2015 2:02:38 GMT
Now you really will need to keep an eye on the parents and chicks ....... the parents could turn nasty (usually the cock, as I recall) trying to rid the nest of the older off-spring to make way for his next lot of babies. Definitely get Mum eating that ice cream faster, as a hide might be what saves the chicks from being picked on, even killed.  Are Tom and Gerry able to be moved, are they feeding and cracking seed for themselves? How old are they? |
|
|
|
Post by BudgiesBuddy on May 31, 2015 9:28:51 GMT
Some hens start second clutch while chicks are still young. It is normal.
Not every hen is aggressive, but put a chick hide on the cage floor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Learner on Jun 1, 2015 0:32:19 GMT
Thanks for the information / advice.... just logged in tonight. I found a clean 4 litre plastic tub and placed it on the floor of the cage first thing this morning as a precaution (fortunately my mother eats a lot of ice-cream!) Archway cut out front and side so it should be fit for purpose if needed. Charlie is feeding the chicks and Fluffy Grey is in and out a little bit more than usual.. all four (chicks & parents) seems content to share the nest at the moment... not sure how they all fit in. Oh.. news update on the egg-sighting = at the latest count this evening 2. In the morning I intend to ready a flight cage for Tom & Jerry if it's needed in a hurry. I have no idea if they are nibbling at seed for themselves as at present they have only left the nest as a result of me taking them out to change the bottom tray for a clean one. Not so easy now with two eggs in the way. Patience and observation seem to be key words at present.
Back over the road for the night shift...... boy could I do with a solid 8 hours sleep. Perhaps hiding in the aviary and locking the door from inside might do it?  I had considered hiding in the garden workshop shed but it has huge windows... lovely and warm in there in the sunshine the other day.... sorry... rambling... off for a few hours sleep I hope. |
|
|
|
Post by suesbird on Jun 1, 2015 6:07:29 GMT
You are allowed to ramble |
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jun 2, 2015 2:05:19 GMT
Definitely allowed a ramble now and then, as well as an off-load.  The garden shed sounds like a great place to set up a deck chair. Nothing to do with budgies, but that reminds me of my elderly father, who used to park his car out in the sun in winter, and sit there and read his papers ....... and quite often doze off. In the sun and out of the wind, who could blame him? |
|
|
|
Post by milliej on Jun 2, 2015 14:56:01 GMT
Learner you're doing a splendid job, you're birds are gorgeous (of course)look after yourself, health is so important! God bless you |
|
|
|
Post by Learner on Jun 2, 2015 18:09:47 GMT
............... Nothing to do with budgies, but that reminds me of my elderly father, who used to park his car out in the sun in winter, and sit there and read his papers ....... and quite often doze off. In the sun and out of the wind, who could blame him? Sounds lovely.. my Dad's little blue Morris 1000 was great for hiding in when the sun was out... freezing in the winter even when it was on the move. Had a tiny electric blow-heater under the dashboard. Freezing in the back.
Back in the aviary: Two Charlies?? Nope. It was one Charlie sitting on the perch next to Fluffly Grey and Gerry at the other end of the cage sitting quietly on the perch!! It didn't last. Ten minutes later, when I looked again, Charlie was busy nibbling the green-food and disappearing into the nest-box. No sign of Gerry. I guess he wasn't being noticed so went back in for lunch! Well... it's a start. I was surprised to see him on the perch rather than skitting around on the floorboards. PS milliej Thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jun 3, 2015 1:10:01 GMT
Oh, wow, Gerry! Getting ready for your maiden voyage, little man?? |
|
|
|
Post by Learner on Jun 3, 2015 10:19:19 GMT
And now we have.... two little budgie birds sitting on a perch.... one named Gerry... the other named Tom Dad, Charlie, was busy giving one a preen which encouraged some diy efforts from the baby. I say "baby" but s/he looks as big as Dad! |
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jun 4, 2015 0:45:37 GMT
Need more photos, Learner! Pretty please??? All sitting on the perch being big boys would be lovely ....... Mum too, if she likes. |
|
Ooops, sorry, I meant to say ...... 
I had considered hiding in the garden workshop shed but it has huge windows... lovely and warm in there in the sunshine the other day.... sorry... rambling... off for a few hours sleep I hope.
The garden shed sounds like a great place to set up a deck chair. 
