Hector On His Own

[criswell]

I would go with option 2 and release him on 5th.

Hector reminds me quite a bit of Randolph Carter during his quarantine. He only moved from his preferred spot next to the mirror to come down for seeds or water. He had show budgie genes (he was show budgie size but without the extra feathering).

The day he came down stairs to meet Dexter he moved more than he had in the whole month of quarantine so Hector might get a lot more animated too.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I also vote for RD of the 5th. It will give him a bit more time to recover from the molt and you'll have the day free to enjoy whatever antics happen (and take lots of pics for us!).

[blueelephant]

Another vote for the 5th. I'd be worried about any length of unsupervised flock activity that soon after a release if you went for the 1st. Also agree a meet and greet when nicely over a moult is a far better plan. Mine have me with the vet on speed dial when they are moulting as they behave like death is imminent 🤣

[Loz]

Well, I was going to cancel the function but I suppose I can move the RD to the 5th 😊

[criswell]

Is that Hector in your avatar picture? That's the same mirror Randolph Carter spend all the time sitting next to when he was in quarantine.

[Loz]

That is indeed Hector.

I cover the mirror but most budgies will still play will the toy. Hector of course is too busy for play.

[criswell]

Even though Randolph Carter barely left that mirror when he was in quarantine he had nothing more to do with it once he met Dexter!

[Loz]

I was able to weigh Hector this morning, he is 48g and up three grams on his weight when I first brought him home. I'm glad he isn't losing weight, which I was worried about in view of his general behaviour and activity levels.
More good news - the function I was attending on next Saturday is now postponed! Not my doing
This means Release Date reverts back to this Friday

[Marianne Marlow]

Yay!!

[Loz]

I had another of my time-slips today, not as bad as some. When I woke Hector up this morning I greeted him with a Happy Monday and a only four more days in isolation!
It wasn't until I was consulting the water supplement schedule and had a "Didn't I give them Zolcal and AviPro yesterday?" moment that I realised it is in fact Tuesday. Bonus!

Anyway, Hector looking grizzled and moulty:



And here's Hector joining me in a sing-song:

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[Loz]

Got a decent pic of Hector with his eyes open! It looks to me like he has a clearly-defined, light-grey iris.



What does that do for his age? I had considered him to be seven months old but I now believe he must be closer to 12 months. Or more.

And, oh! Those pinnies ...

[skysmum]

Beautiful boy, grey iris ring 6-8 months, white 8 months upwards, he looks quite mature, did previous owners say how long they had had him?

[Loz]

They had Hector less than a month as far as I can make out.

I'm going to say 7 months, based on the rings, the cere and the fact he's gaining weight at a steady, moderate rate.

Thanks for your input, skysmum

[Hezz]

Photos show up iris rings much more readily than what can be seen with the naked eye, I’ve found.

[Ira]

I have less experience but wouldn't peg him as older than 7 months either. Aster's had iris rings for quite a while and he's only just about at the 1 year mark.

He's a stunner. Love the grey cheeks.