Emmy

Update: Well I've found no dead chicks in the cage or the nest and it looks as though there has been only 6 chicks in the nest -the first one fledged today. If this pair breed again they will definitely be given a much bigger nest the chick in the front of the nest is a late developer and just beginning to feather up. At least it will be kept warm. First chick fledged today. Emmy

I shouldn't have made that post about NOT buying (lol) I did sell quite a few of my finches and one of the members had a pair for sale I really liked and as I didn't get them at Stafford I thought to myself 'better late than never' hen - bb/orange cock- orange/bb be interesting to see what they produce. Trevor the way the weather is going the Sahara may well get flooded ps that is definitely the last I've no more cages free now-- just please don't ask how many cages I do have Emmy Have a nice New Year. (do you think I should make a New Years Resolution? 'Buy no more birds in 2016') Emmy

Thanks Andy I'm off to the bird sale today at our local club. NOT buying but I am selling. (lol) Emmy

Thanks Andy, So does that mean I just have a 50/50 chance that some of the chicks will be crested ? I have another pair where one is crested (white hen) and it's paired up with a BB Any idea what colour I could expect from them? Emmy

Happy Christmas Sarah. That was so nice getting a Christmas chick Emmy

Thanks Andy, The previous eggs they had weren't fertile so its looking better for this clutch . Only one of the penguins is crested and I don't know if the other is split for that or not. (I was told you shouldn't breed two visual crested birds) I think they will look after the chicks if the eggs hatch because they have fostered 2 chicks from another pair that had abandoned their nest. If I don't get any crested chicks from this pair I'm definitely NOT buying anymore birds now BUT I got a lovely surprise tonight when I opened one of my present from my two daughters . I'm getting 16 birds--'Bluebird; Nuthatch; Cardinal and Goldfinch (4 of each) but the great thing about them is I don't need to feed them I've to MAKE them It's a 3D Paper bird kit. I'm over the moon with that going to have a great time making them Hope Santa is good to you' Emmy

The pair of penguins (one of the crested) I bought at Stafford in October now have 6 eggs in their nest I took a photograph of the eggs tonight and candled the eggs using the computer Looks like 4 of the eggs are definitely fertile the remaining two may have been the last two laid so will check them again later. I'm hoping I'll get some crested chicks from this. (the photo of the eggs look a odd shape -this happened after I resized the photo --(Me not knowing what I'm doing _Again!!) Emmy

I've tried that Andy but before I get round them all some of them have already hidden their head. Guess they're trying to let me know they just want to be left alone. As soon as I know how many I'll let you know. Emmy

Hi Andy It's definitely one pair they have been in a cage by themselves quite a while before any eggs were laid and the annoying thing is I cant remember how many eggs were finally in the nest but I did know there were quite a few laid. I'm thinking there is at least 7 chicks in there. I've a feeling I'll not know for sure how many until they fledge Emmy

I took this photograph tonight of the Bengalese chicks in their nest. Can't be sure just how many chicks are in there but one thing for sure that nest is 'chock-a-block' and it looks as though all the chicks are being well fed. Every time I try to count them I get a different number Emmy

They are two wee crackers you have there Trevor Do you have any idea of their sex yet? Emmy

That's great news Sarah Emmy

You're definitely going to have a wonderful Xmas if all those eggs hatch out look forward to seeing those photos Emmy

Welcome to the forum Steve I think that's fantastic what you are proposing to do. I'm sure your son will just love helping you but beware it's him that shall be showing you the best way to do things and from past experience he will probably be right Hope you both enjoy your new hobby and hoping you'll soon find the birds you are looking for. Emmy

AND in another 10 years Trevor you'll become a 'recycled teenager'.

Wishing you best wishes on this special birthday Trevor (so now for the next 5years its time to start reversing the digits so next year you can be 16 again (lol)) Emmy

Hope the other two are fertile too Sarah. You have some lovely birds there. Who knows I may get a couple of budgies to keep indoors (most of my birds are out in my bird sheds now and I really miss not having them in the house -but I seem to be the only one that misses them in here, everyone else, family and visitors are smiling now and saying 'now we can hear what we are saying to each other and don't have compete with the birds' (Lol) Forgot to ask is your 'guard dog' lol a long haired Chihuahua, (looks so like the one I had he died age 15 just over two years ago) Emmy

Sorry to hear that you lost that chick Trevor I'm beginning to wonder if its anything to do with the weather I've lost some too and 'Julie's' one year old Kakariki died today and it had been OK in the morning. Emmy

Think this is normal Penny I've noticed mine usually lay 2/3 eggs before they start to incubate them. Great news that they have started to lay.

Thank You amf, I would like to get the remaining 3 younger ones into the sheds too but it will depend on if I can get two pairs of the older ones to agree with each other and share a cage I'll need to do a bit more organising - meantime I think they are OK in their hutch but weather has taken a turn for the worse here today -snow and VERY cold Emmy

Sad day today -when I went out this morning to check the birds/quail etc. I found one of my OAP quails had died. Don't know if it was just old age or if the drop in temperature had anything to do with it - they were in good sturdy hutch with plenty of areas to shelter from wind etc. I now have moved all the Texan White quails into my bird sheds they are in 3 large rabbit cages (cant put them altogether into one cage or it would be WW3 lol) at least now no matter how cold it gets they will be OK as both sheds are heated. I knew I should have bought a larger shed ! So that's me down to 11 Texan White quails now . Emmy

Congratulations Nick Beautiful bird

That's a pity you only got one chick out of the 6 eggs but you did get one and maybe next time the results will be better. Was this the first time they have had eggs? Wishing you 'good luck' with the other two. Emmy

Lucky You Clare they are really lovely birds saw some of them at our local bird show in October. Are you going to show them? Emmy

Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday Lee - have a nice day celebrating. Hope your birds have greeted you this morning singing 'Happy Birthday ' to you and who knows they may even have baked a surprise 'seed cake' for you Emmy