May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 3, 2021 11:03:29 GMT
I love how you went from 1 to 10. They are wonderful pets and so entertaining. I have no experience of an outside aviary other than what I’ve read on the forum but having been a chicken keeper for 10 years, hay is not a great substrate because when wet it can harbour mould spores and can affect the respiratory system of birds. Also it can get pretty dusty; again a potential respiratory system risk. I’m assuming this is the same for budgies too but am open to correction. I’d be worried about mice being attracted to it from the dropped food and then nesting in it too. The last thing you need is mice! Hi thanks for the advice - we are aware of the seed attracting "pests" etc, so we allow the wild birds to have their fill and then out comes the broom. Its a never ending cycle - I am aware of avian illnesses etc from wild birds but that's part and parcel of having an out door set up. We will look into the hay dust risk and thanks for that, but initial reading suggests more prevalent with indoor housing rather than open to the elements unrestricted as we have set up - but you never know so we will keep researching - the birds will be upset as they seem to enjoy digging through and making a mess of the hay.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 3, 2021 11:14:34 GMT
Hi - we are not planning on adding any more birds at all. This was a rescue mission turned into trying to provide as much comfort as possible to our new friends. We are not in this to breed and or make money on the side, we want and are enjoying the antics within the community. You will adding more birds if you allow these ones to breed. That is what my comment was referring to. We know 1 + 10 = more, we are reacting to the love fest that has broken out rather than going breed crazy. What you do not get from the images is the physical site of the aviary (overall flight area width, depth and length = is close to 7 square meters - without the coop area they refuse to use....). Needless to say we managed to get two breeders to visit and they both gave a glowing thumbs up (this in relation to your previous observations regarding size), and we visited their set ups. Both stated the aviary was easily large enough for more birds than we currently have - although if we wanted to start breeding programmes etc addition nesting / segregation would be an issue - we are not. Given the enjoyment we are experiencing, we may build aviary 2.0 based on the learner over these few weeks - but that's another post in the future - all this from saving a young budgie... from a magpie!!
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Post by samwiseg on Jul 3, 2021 16:17:02 GMT
Wow what a story! The bug has certainly bitten hasn't it!!! This is lovely to hear though, for saving the little guy and taking up a hobby that has been dying out. Welcome to the forum btw!
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 3, 2021 16:40:20 GMT
Wow what a story! The bug has certainly bitten hasn't it!!! This is lovely to hear though, for saving the little guy and taking up a hobby that has been dying out. Welcome to the forum btw! Hi many thanks for the kind welcome - we are learning something new every day. I guess we will make mistakes along the way and that's going to be part of our story. Its amazing they recognise my wife when she goes out into the garden - they go crazy calling to her (did I mention she provides the treats) - todays treat.... live meal worms. Certainly brought our garden to life, not withstanding all of the other birds coming in to say hello.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,758
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jul 4, 2021 9:29:02 GMT
What Hezz is referring to is that if you have nest boxes, the budgies will breed. The budgies don't know what a breeding programme is, just that they have a place to breed. Thus you would be colony breeding because the birds would not have separate cages to breed in.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 7, 2021 8:29:05 GMT
What Hezz is referring to is that if you have nest boxes, the budgies will breed. The budgies don't know what a breeding programme is, just that they have a place to breed. Thus you would be colony breeding because the birds would not have separate cages to breed in. Good morning - I absolutely appreciate the advice and will be removing the boxes once it is clear, what the situation is. We were presented with almost a roman orgy, the breeder said probably as the birds are now outside and relishing the elements (previously the birds all were housed indoors) - apparently this is normal behaviour post heavy rain, and wanted to ensure we did not have birds dropping eggs in corners etc. Things have settled down considerably, with only two birds showing any interest in the boxes - the rest seem to have calmed down. We will pull the boxes once they settle on a single box and we will not cause any stress - its the health of the birds we are more concerned about. As I said we never planned any of this and could not find a suitable rescue centre, but trying to make the best of the hand we have been dealt - needless to say we are now really enjoying the experience. Needless to say we will make mistakes and if the inclusion of the boxes is the worst one and we have to extend the aviary to accommodate the additions - that's part of the price we are prepared to pay - but not repeat. SO I am now searching for budgie bromide (joke) and putting a stop to the romance.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jul 7, 2021 16:06:55 GMT
So happy you are enjoying your flock! Many of us have made mistakes. We just hope that the mistakes have no long term detrimental effects. Whatever mistakes you may make, I hope your flock thrives in spite of it!
We all love pictures (hint, hint)! Do keep letting us know how you are getting along with your budgies.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Aug 9, 2021 10:25:17 GMT
So happy you are enjoying your flock! Many of us have made mistakes. We just hope that the mistakes have no long term detrimental effects. Whatever mistakes you may make, I hope your flock thrives in spite of it! We all love pictures (hint, hint)! Do keep letting us know how you are getting along with your budgies. Good morning - sorry it has taken so long to respond, it has been an extremely busy time in our household. But to bring things up to date - we have two chicks!! Although we had not planned on breeding and had to scramble to learn and make sure everything was in place - its a nice turn of events, as the two birds were the original two we purchased to help the rescued bird settle in. They came out of a less than idea home and we had to disinfect the cage they came in as it was clear they were being neglected. How things have changed for these two. I am glad to say we have not had any more birds lay and we will be taking precautions to avoid future breeding. I will post further images of the gang in a few days. BUT WAR HAS BROKEN OUT!! We leave the fallen seed for a few days for local sparrows and wood pigeon to feed on - now the budgies go mental when they come down all shouting and screaming if they dare to eat what has fallen through - it so funny the cocks all get puffed up and start bouncing around the avery - they mean business. One thing we have noticed, is that all the birds colours have become much brighter - we had been told this would happen, they look absolutely beautiful - this from a family who never wanted budgies........ More soon.
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Post by samwiseg on Aug 9, 2021 11:19:36 GMT
Oh my! It certainly has been happening in your neck of the woods! Really take care with these chick's... I take it the parents are happy for you to check them? Also keep their quarters clean of poop and ensure that the hen has some extra vits and minerals. Keep us posted and good luck!
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Aug 10, 2021 10:26:43 GMT
Oh my! It certainly has been happening in your neck of the woods! Really take care with these chick's... I take it the parents are happy for you to check them? Also keep their quarters clean of poop and ensure that the hen has some extra vits and minerals. Keep us posted and good luck! Hi - the hen is extremely protective of the nest box (so no she hates us going anywhere near them) and we will try and get in on Saturday to have a clean out. There are three more eggs that we need to check at the same time (if they do not hatch in the meantime) and remove any that are not live (eggs). We are providing lots of minerals and boosting diets etc. I am not sure if this is normal behaviour - but the bird we rescued (a cock) is also feeding the hen along with her mate. He also stands guard on the box when she leaves to eat / drink, he stands at the box entrance and chases any other bird (apart form the mated pair away. Has anyone else ever seen this type of behaviour before? Glad to ay we have not seen any of the other birds trying to get into the box, but the vigilance of the three birds watching the nest box is something to behold. Thanks for the on-going advice, its really appreciated.
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Post by samwiseg on Aug 10, 2021 15:49:33 GMT
That is remarkable?! Unless that particular one male thinks he is the father of the chick's I really couldn't say? Its good that the hen is not missing out on food that's for sure! skysmum Hezz Marianne Marlow have you ever heard of this? Also have you candelled the eggs to check if they are fertile?
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,758
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Aug 10, 2021 21:50:04 GMT
Sorry samwiseg I have never had budgie that bred (I discourage it as mine are all rehomes, I don't want chicks) and don't know the first thing about it.
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Post by skysmum on Aug 10, 2021 22:03:44 GMT
I have heard of this before with another male sharing the babies, i believe @ffg had this happen.
Where you have to be careful is if another hen starts to get interested, she could kill the babies so keep a close eye on that one.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,758
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Aug 11, 2021 8:34:25 GMT
Typical colony breeding peril really. I have heard of this before with another male sharing the babies, i believe @ffg had this happen. Where you have to be careful is if another hen starts to get interested, she could kill the babies so keep a close eye on that one.
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Jun 10, 2020 8:00:19 GMT
cierlo
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 38
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Post by cierlo on Aug 11, 2021 13:20:10 GMT
Oh my! It certainly has been happening in your neck of the woods! Really take care with these chick's... I take it the parents are happy for you to check them? Also keep their quarters clean of poop and ensure that the hen has some extra vits and minerals. Keep us posted and good luck! Hi - the hen is extremely protective of the nest box (so no she hates us going anywhere near them) and we will try and get in on Saturday to have a clean out. There are three more eggs that we need to check at the same time (if they do not hatch in the meantime) and remove any that are not live (eggs). We are providing lots of minerals and boosting diets etc. I am not sure if this is normal behaviour - but the bird we rescued (a cock) is also feeding the hen along with her mate. He also stands guard on the box when she leaves to eat / drink, he stands at the box entrance and chases any other bird (apart form the mated pair away. Has anyone else ever seen this type of behaviour before? Glad to ay we have not seen any of the other birds trying to get into the box, but the vigilance of the three birds watching the nest box is something to behold. Thanks for the on-going advice, its really appreciated. I have never seen it with my own birds, but I've seen two males helping a hen before among someone else's budgies. They both seem to have fathered the clutch, possibly. Though their male parrotlet was also helping, so score's out on that one.
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