Andyn

I'm no mutation person but I'm wondering if this is a BC Pied CFW. The pied markings might have wiped out flanks and cheek patches like it does even on true pied. What are the tail markings? that might help the more experienced mutation people work it out. Andyn

Do the taping bit on the side of nest and count how many gapes open for feeding. Mine had same amount but it was two dads and one mum.

Emmy, Is that just from one pair or like mine that time when I had a trio.? Love that photo too.

Well done Penny, Unfortunately chicks do get injured or they might even be weak and die even if they are fed. If you have candled the 4th egg and it's clear then you could remove it but by leaving it in the nest it could be protecting the other chicks from getting squashed. Your choice I guess, but don't leave it in there too long as it could start to go off and contaminate. I know all about Budgies and them being a little awkward at times. I always checked with others and it seemed that they also had the same problems. Zebbies can be like that too. Keep up the good work and enjoy your birds. Andyn

I can't claim to know much about genetics but if you have a Pied then both parents are carrying the Pied gene and I believe that also goes for BC Norfolk Flyer is the member who you might be best to contact. (he's a bit of a wiz with genetics) Perhaps P.M. him direct. Andyn

Penny, The only thing I can say for sure is that it isn't a White. I'm not much into mutations so can't help more than that. Andyn

Have a good time Dave and enjoy your special day Andyn

That's good news Penny. Hope other eggs are fertile and hatch too. If you do get BC chicks from that pair it would mean the cock is carrying BC. Keep up the good work. Andyn

Hi all, Anyone able to help identify if this is a Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush please. We spotted it eating the mistletoe berrys in the apple tree and thought it was a Mistle Thrush but reading up in our book it could also be a Song Thrush as they also eat the berries.

Wishing you a happy birthday Bruce.. Hope you had a good day. Andy N

Not nice at any time but even more poignant at this time of year. We were in the same boat this time last year but it was a friend of nearly 50 years. Penny, do you know about candling eggs? You could buy a candling torch and check with the eggs in the nest or carefully take them out and hold up to a light. You should see veins after about 5 days of proper incubation. Andyn

Hi Steve, Welcome to the forum and to our great hobby. I'm sure there are members in your area who will contact you re birds and there is a Sales day at Stafford soon. Andyn

All the best for your birthday Trevor. Hope you have a really good day. Your just a mere youngster and 60 is the new 40 anyway. Andyn

Penny, Some fanciers (including me at times) do the canary trick with replacing first 4-5 eggs with dummys and then reset on day/egg 5-6 so that the chicks mostly hatch out on the same day. (not necessarily at same time). This is done to encourage the parents to feed youngsters and not worry about rest of eggs too much and letting singletons die. Hope things are going well for you. Andyn

Penny, Good to see you are making sound progress and hope you enjoyed the 'Newsletter' Probably best time to pair up for ZFS rings would be about 7th December. What would you like/wish for with that BChen X Normal cock pairing. Or is the cock carrying the BC gene do you know? Andy

And from me too Lee. Andyn

Very smart Clare, Don't forget the colour food

Well done Penny, Hopefully we will see you around the shows too. Andy

Morning Aspen, I have CFWs and I can not say that they are slower to colour. I have found though, that the cocks do the singing bit before colours start to show. Would yours be continental CFW as opposed to European (?). If they are that might explain it. Mine do seem to take longer to mature than other colours and I have had some nice surprises when grading them for sale etc. Hope others will give their observations to you too. All the best Andyn

Nice one Penny, Are they exhibition stock from a breeder or ? Here is a link to your area Zebra Finch Club SW&SCZFC- www.swandsczfc.uk You might like to join us. Regards Andyn

Hi Penny and welcome to the Forum. If I guess correctly your partner contacted me yesterday and I suggested you try this Forum. It would depend on what level of keeping Zebies you feel you want to try. If its just a hobby with a communal Aviary then you would probably get mixed colours but if you feel showing is the way to go, I think cage breeding is best with same colour birds. Normal Cocks can be split for e.g. Fawn or CFW and could possibly produce hens of those colours but if you want to breed those colours 100% then colour to colour is best in the first year. You then can see if any of your cocks are split. Good luck and as I said you would be very welcome to visit once my new Bird Room is up and running. Anyway Enjoy your new hobby and ask away with your questions. cheers Andyn

If you are back with us. 'Happy Birthday' Dan, if not it's still happy birthday mate.

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dean. Best Wishes and thanks for the help with CFWs earlier. Andyn

For he's a jolly good fellow, (repeat) Happy Birthday Gary and when me meet sometime the are on you . Have a good day. Andy