Diesel & Scoobie

[budgiebabe]

YAY! I finally get to post a thread on my monkey's efforts.

I've been waiting a long time, now they are making quick progress.

Awhile ago i posted a thead about my babys(budgies) mating like crazy. Now their effots have paid off

I have an egg:p :budgie:

Can't wait!

I put mum and dad into the breeding cage on saturday 31st oct. Then about 8pm sunday 1st nov, I have an egg. If you can't tell yet, I CAN'T WAIT! YAY!

I don't think i'll mark the eggs this time as i've waited ages for this and i don't want to mess it up by breaking an egg by accident. I ain't moving the cage to check the nest. I'm peeping through the hole!. I can get access to the nest but i ain't risking it yet! Not until eggs are older.

I'm sorry but small photos will have to do. Look how arty this picture looks!

1st pic: Egg number one! The arty pic
2nd pic: Scoobie! The daddy!
3rd pid: Diesel! The mummy. This is an old picture but it's the nicest on i found so far!

[Zeena]

Congrats on the first egg! Hope all goes well :)
Mom and dad are stunning!

[peepersbev]

You are going to have some cute chicks

[stacey101]

aww congrats!

[budgiebabe]

Thanks so much guys, really can't wait. I already have about 6 names for them already. I might start a poll to help me pick!

I'll keep everyone posted.

[riotfox]

cool as! the parents are gorgeous!

[budgiebabe]

Thanks. I hope egg no. 2 arrives today.It's due later on today! I can't wait.

It will be a brillant xmas present frm my lil girl!

[budgiebabe]

Egg number two is here!

It came along at 7:15pm tuesday 3rd nov 2009.


So i have two eggs now.

egg1; sunday 1st november 8pm
egg2; tuesday 3rd november 7:15pm

The first egg is 3 days now old. when can i tell if it's fertile?

1st pic; diesel sat on the pair of eggs!
2nd pic; Picture of the eggs 15 mins after the 2nd was laid. The egg nearer the front is the 1st laid egg. Doesn't it look like a kidney bean in it, or is it me?
3rd pic; Picture of the eggs this morn! The darker one is the 1st egg laid.

[SusanBudgies]

I found your breeding journal! :thumbsup: Parents are gorgeous (especially Scoobie the hen) and I can't wait to see their babies. What are the parents' mutations? Diesel looks cobalt YF1 normal and Scoobie looks dark-eyed clear. (Then again, I'm bad at mutations. :p) The first egg is 3 days now old. when can i tell if it's fertile?At 3-4 days after start of incubation (sometimes hens wait for 1-2 eggs to be laid before incubating them), you will be able to see very thin veins emanating from a teensy tinsy beating heart. Do you have a pen light or gooseneck light http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/fourteen/serpent.htm to use to candle the eggs? (Gooseneck is better because you won't have to touch the eggs.)

At this stage, you will not see any kidney beans. But as the eggs age, the fertile ones' shells will turn from pinkish hue (immediately after laying) to bright white, and the infertile ones' shells will turn from pinkish hue to dull gray. (The DIS shells are ugly gray.) Of course, candling helps to confirm fertility; the infertile eggs will look clear (see-through) with visibile yellow yolk, whereas the fertile ones will develop more and more veins, followed by the egg "filling up" with the growing dark pink embryo.

The whole process is quite fascinating. :D

[budgiebabe]

(quote) Parents are gorgeous (especially Scoobie the hen) and I can't wait to see their babies. What are the parents' mutations? Diesel looks cobalt YF1 normal and Scoobie looks dark-eyed clear. (quote)

Yay you found me. didn't hide very well did i? :D

Diesel is the hen! She's 100% demon, red eyed albino
Scoobie is the dad! I've been told his a yellow faced type 2 opaline cobalt blue. But i have no idea what the name is!

I hope things go well. The hen is due another egg tommorrow night if she sticks to the plan! I hope this works. I really want baby budgies of my own.

[SusanBudgies]

Oops! :embarrassed: Sorry for the gender switch!

[budgiebabe]

Oops! :embarrassed: Sorry for the gender switch!

No worries. All this mornin i've been trying to picture them 'the other way' around! I hope egg no. 3 wont be long. Her bum seems alittle big , but then egg number three is due at 6-9pm! Can't wait!

[budgiebabe]

Yay!

The thid egg is there now. Can't believe the first egg is four days old!

So here is another update on dates and times;

1st egg; sunday 1st novemer, 8pm
2nd egg; Tuesday 3rd november 7:15pm
3rd egg; thursday 5th november, 5pm

I can't wait to see what hatches. I'll post pics tomorrow or the next day is internet is playing up AGAIN!

[Corina]

Good luck! Hope they hatch :)

[budgiebabe]

Good luck! Hope they hatch :)

I do too. I really want baby budgies bad. I'm getting really broody for budgies! After seeing everyone else' efforts. i hope it works.

[budgiebabe]

These pics were hard to get. Diesel doesn't even let me near the nest box anymore. Do you think that because she's acting differently she has fertile eggs and maybe she knows this? I don't now yet as she won't let me check them! Anyone else' female acted like this? Or is mine just evil!?

[Corina]

These pics were hard to get. Diesel doesn't even let me near the nest box anymore. Do you think that because she's acting differently she has fertile eggs and maybe she knows this? I don't now yet as she won't let me check them! Anyone else' female acted like this? Or is mine just evil!?

Its different with every budgie. My current hen that I'm trying to breed lets me do anything and she trusts me. So as soon as she sees me come she gets out of the box. But years ago one of my hens was just plain evil, she wouldn't let me near the box at all and if I did get close she would bite real hard!

[budgiebabe]

I can see that image now! fourth egg is due today. Around tea time (5-9pm).Not long now. When wil be the best time to candle the eggs? The first one is a week one tomorrow.

[SusanBudgies]

You can see veins and tiny beating heart as early as incubation day 3 or day 4.

[budgiebabe]

You can see veins and tiny beating heart as early as incubation day 3 or day 4.

Ok thanks.I'm tryn to keep my eye out for a white flash light. Mine is produces yellow light and it's hard to tell what colour the shell is. It's extra hard as diesel attacks me when i try to check to make sure everythng ok in the nest.

No 4th egg yet. Does anyone have a close up picture of a 1 week old fertile egg? Or can anyone post a site i can visit to double check what i can see?

first time breeder. First time nerves.

[budgiebabe]

Horray!

Egg number 4 is here.

Mum and dad are doing great. Diesel isn't 100% evil any more. She's more like 99%! she's getting softer day by day (i hope!). Scoobie is on guard by the hole and is currently feeding her while diesel is streching her wings.

Egg laying times so far are;

1st egg; sunday 1st november, 8pm
2nd egg; tuesday 3rd november, 7:15pm
3rd egg; thursday 5th november, 5pm
4th egg; saturday 7th november, 5:30pm

Sorry it's only the two pics tonight but it's hard to take pictures with jaws attaached to your fingers!

[miss parakeet]

good looking eggs :p
Cant wait till they hatch!

[budgiebabe]

Can you tell me if any for them pics look fertile so far? I know two of the eggs are too young to tell yet. I'm trying not to move the cage thus moving the nest box as i don't want to harm the eggs in anyway.

Does anyone have a pictue of a week old fertile egg or maybe a pic of a candled egg at week or so old?

[SpickyDavies]

congrats on all the eggs :)
the eggs look like eggs to me, i wouldn't be able to see if any are whiter unless in more clear light

fingers crossed for you

[budgiebabe]

I found a site which was quite good. I tpyed in "candled budgie eggs" into google images and clicked onto the picture of three eggs with the pen light and the site underneth is 'adorablebudgies.co.uk'.

Update on my four eggs!

In one of my eggs, i can't see though it. When i shine a light through it as best i can, it shows up all dark and it does let any light through.There is a slight red tint to the thing inside!. There is a small air sack at the smaller end of the egg. Does this mean it's fertile? The shell does look white to me.

In another one of my eggs, I can see through the egg.The smaller end of the egg has a small air sack. I can see what looks like a streched out jellybean shape in the egg.

The other two eggs hav air sacks at the smaller end of the egg but i can see straight through them. My guess is that these are the younger two eggs.

Does it sound like i might have babies to come?

[budgiebabe]

congrats on all the eggs :)
the eggs look like eggs to me, i wouldn't be able to see if any are whiter unless in more clear light

fingers crossed for you

Thanks spicky. Thats wht i've been thinking. I can't try to attempt to get a white light until monday. None of my neighbours have one either. So i'm going to gainsbrough's marshall's yard and try for one there!

[SpickyDavies]

infertile eggs...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/SpickyDavies/DSC01804.jpg


three fertile eggs...

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/SpickyDavies/DSC02753.jpg


can you see the white ones?

[SpickyDavies]

some infertile eggs and what they look like inside
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/SpickyDavies/DSC01708.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/SpickyDavies/DSC01709.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab29/SpickyDavies/DSC01711.jpg

[budgiebabe]

Thanks spicky.

I really need the got a better torch now. Do you think camping shops will do them?
Can anyone name a store in england where i can get a candling torch or pen from?

[SpickyDavies]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EGG-CANDLER-BREEDING-CAGE-AVIARY-BIRD-FERTILITY-CHECK_W0QQitemZ280411194212QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_P et_Supplies_Birds?hash=item4149cf4364

[budgiebabe]

thanks spicky.

[Zeena]

Congrats on the two eggs :) Hope they hatch :D
I will be following the progress of this journal!

[budgiebabe]

Thanks chimpsrule!

I hope that all four eggs hatch! I already have a large cage on reserve, ready for if any hatch! I know the owner, thats why! If i only get one or two the she said i can have the smaller one!

[budgiebabe]

Hey.

I now have my new torch! It's little silver RAC one. Yeah the breakdown service guys!:p

Any who, i have got a few new picture for everyone.
Still only four eggs and their dates are as follows;

1st egg, 1st november :budgie:
2nd egg; 3rd november :budgie:
3rd egg, 5th november :budgie:
4th egg, 7th november. :budgie:

Fifth egg is due today, diesel is still doing very big poos, but her bum isn't big at all. Maybe shes done laying.

Can you tell me if the first egg is fertile. Sorry i can't tell you which one it is.

[miss parakeet]

I really hope they hatch for you :D

[budgiebabe]

I really hope they hatch for you :D

Thanks i do too. Want some good news?

The fifth egg has arrived!

Lets hope it's fertile!

Here are the pics. What does everyone think? Are they better qualilty compeared to the first few eggs' pictures?

Can you tell the fertilty of the first two eggs yet? I really can't wait! I think they are fertile What do you experts think?

Updated Egg laying dates & times are;
1st; 1 st november, 8pm
2nd; 3rd november, 7pm
3rd; 5th november, 5:15pm
4th; 7th november, 5pm
5th; 9th november, 4:30pm

[riotfox]

i dont know but i really hope they are!

[budgiebabe]

Thanks. I really hope so too. I really want budgie babies! If they hatch it'll be a excellant xmas present from my flock!

[Zeena]

I can see one egg that looks fertile :) it is kind of hard to tell with the other ones.
Hope you get baby budgies for christmas :)

[budgiebabe]

I can see one egg that looks fertile :) it is kind of hard to tell with the other ones.
Hope you get baby budgies for christmas :)

Thanks chimpsrule! I really hope something happnds. If not i'll be sad:D

[budgiebabe]

6th egg is here!

It arived 5pm 11th of november.

I'll post pictures later on.

[SpickyDavies]

yaya y :) keep them coming!

[budgiebabe]

I hope i don''t get any more eggs in a way. I do hope a get some chicks tho!

[miss parakeet]

I hope you get chicks too :D

[budgiebabe]

Same here. I realy want babies! But wings crossed (:D)everything goes well.
OMG. I just looked at the calander, one week left until first egg is due! Then the fun begins!

[budgiebabe]

Im sorry for being lazy in posting pictures etc on my breeding log.

I haven't been feelin well latey and still don't! But i have to keep going.

Diesel has layed her 7th, yes 7TH egg yesturday. I hope it's fertile.

Dates of the eggs now are;

1, november 1st
2, noember 3rd
3, noember 5th
4, november 7th
5, november 9th
6, november 11th
7, november 13th.

The first egg is due on or around the 19th if it's fertile. Can anyone tell me if any are fertile. I hope they are. But it's not the end of the world if their not. Pease be honest as possible in telling me, i won't be hurt. Sorry i only have one picture but i didn't want to disturb the female to much

[Zeena]

woooow 7 eggs? :eek: looks like those parents have their work cut out for them ;)
I REALL REALLY hope at least some of those 7 are fertile!
Good luck :)

[budgiebabe]

I'll be heart broken if none are. She's put so much effort into laying and broding them. Scoobie is feeding her still, diesel's mood seems to of changed now tho. She seems to be alot more angry at me and scoobie. So i'm guessing none are fertile again like last time :(

She did this last time. Afew days before the first egg is due she turns alot more nasty. Ou of that clutch none were fertile but it was her first time.

If none do hatch and they all turn out to be not fertile, what am i/they doing wrong? If the male is 'firing blanks' how can this be sorted out? He does seem to be 'sorting himself out again'. I have in the past put diesel an my other older male (joey.his 3 now) but she repeatly attacked him. so i sepeated them fo joey's health. Don't wory he was alittle spooked but fine after.

The only way i can see around this is to buy another male. But then i'll have 5 budgies. Out of which only two could breed and they don't get on. I'm stuck really. Any advice? I'm happy to wait and try again, but whats happends if they have a third clutch that isn't fertile? Something has to wrong desn't there?

[SpickyDavies]

did you have a chance to check them with a penlight?:)
congrats!!!

Infertile Eggs.

Run through the check list.

Have you firm perches? I prefer 12 or 15mm square perches and these are fixed into the back of the cage by nailing an oval brad nail part way into the perch,now cut it's head off with a pair of nips,drill a very tiny hole in the cage back and the nail will push through.The front of the perch has a saw cut in the end which slots into the wire cage front.

Are your birds the correct age? I use breeding birds from eight months old,hens are used up till three years old and any super cock would be used until his age meant no eggs were fertilised.

Are your adult birds in condition? Breeding condition must not be confused with show condition

Do you need the vents trimmed? Some of the modern budgerigars have long buff feathered vents which can prevent the transfer of the sperm.You can cut away all the the long vent feathers on both sexes and succesful mating should take place.

Do the hens come out of the box? Failure for the hen to come out of the box means mating will not take place which is typical of a box bound hen,closing the box entrance hole for a few hours each day may break her out of this habit.

Are your perches round or square ? I did say i prefer mine square and that is to give the hen a good grip during mating,round perches can become very smooth over time and this results in infertile eggs.

Have you a radio on? If the avairy is too quite the birds will not breed well because there is no stimulation,the budgerigar is a flock bird and they breed in the company of others so the more noise the better

Are your birds mature? Although i use my birds from eight months old i would recommend the novice breeder uses birds at no less than twelve months old.Once you get to know your birds you can use them a little younger.

Are the birds having a good mixed diet? See my feeding programme above and remember these very wise words YOU WILL ONLY GET OUT OF A BUDGIE EGG WHAT YOU PUT IN IT.

Are your birds compatible? If your pair show interest in each other then that is good , if they are sitting at each end of the perch ignoring each other you will have to introduce another partner for the hen.

Are the pair too old to breed? Old birds are easy to spot they hang over the perch,often they are fat and listless and fertile eggs will never appear.

Have you two budgies,one of each sex ? Not a trick question but i have seen two birds of the same sex paired up ,inos and recessive pieds can sometimes fool us.

Are your nest boxes suitable?The market place is full of many options but always check they have a deep concave inside.

[budgiebabe]

hanks spicky for the help! Here are my answers;

DID YOU CHECK THE WITH A PENLIGHT? I have tried to but can't tell really. four of eggs are a week old or under. the others are 13 days old, 11 days old and 9 days old.

ARE THE PERCHES FIRM? Yes they can't be moved (unless i do it!). They are round ones. But i does have a sand perch thingy on one perch (sory i forgot the name of them! I also kow no more than one per cage!)

ARE YOUR BIRDS THE CORRECT AGE? Yes both parents are. Diesel (mum) was nine weeks old on 30th september 2007. Scoobie (dad) was around 14 weeks old on the 25th may 2007.

ARE YOUR ADULT BIRDS IN CONDITION? Diesel is/was. Her cere was dark brown and crusty but since laying her eggs, it has turned tanned coloured from the sixth egg. How can you tell when scoobie is most fertile? i read somewhre that MISS PARAKEET's male is fertile 6 months out of 12. His cere is bright blue at the moment.

DO YOU NEED THE VENTS TRIMMED? I'm not sure. Both parents, i believe are amercain type budgies. I know the english type can have problems. It's too late for this clutch but i will check in the morning. Can i trim their vents or do the vets have to do it?

DO THE HENS COME OUT OF THE BOX? Yes she does. This can vary on when and what time. Scoobie does stand guard until he gets bored, goes of then come back after a while. But he has never been in the nest box.

ARE YOUR PERCHES ROUND OR SQUARE? They are round at the moment. I have been on the look out for square ones,but haven't found any yet. I don't really like shopping on the net as i prefer face to face shopping. Does anyone know a pet shop near lincoln (england) that sells square perches? I will buy them off the internet if i have to, but would rather notif i don't have to.

HAVE YOU GOT THE RADIO ON? Yes sort of! I leave the tv set on for them. I turn it down incase it scares them during the ad breaks. But i leave it on the music channel or cartoon channel before i go out. Scoobie likes cartoons and diesel prefers dance/ pop music. I guess you can say they would fight over the tv remote!

ARE YOUR BIRDS MATURE? Yes. Both parents are over two years old.

ARE THE BIRDS HAVING A GOOD MIXED DIET? Yes. They have special mixed seed diet. I also add egg food and fresh food. Such as greens and fruit. But they don't go for this as they aren't 5-a-day budgies! They also have cuttle fish, millet spary, mineral block and crushed oyster shell.

ARE YOUR BIRDS COMPATIBLE? Yes. scoobie is alway feeding diesel and when not in breeding mode they sit next to each other at nap times!

ARE THE PAIR TOO OLD TO BREED? No. Both male and female are at pefect ages for breeding.

HAVE YOU 2 BUDGIES, ONE OF EACH SEX? Yes diesel's cere varies in colour from white to tan to dark brown and crusty and then back again. Scoobie's stays blue and only changes in bright-ness of the blue. But it changes slowly so you can't tell when it does, you can only realy tell from photos!

ARE YOUR NEST BOXES SUITABLE? Yes. the concave is deep enough for Diesel. Whe i brought the nest box, i quizzed th shop owner about it! I must of scared him!


Glad i've finshed typing all that! Poor laptop took a pounding with all that typing!:D:budgie:

[jimjam&sonny]

yes, you can trim the vent feather yourself, with a pair of scissors, i do this to all my birds! :D, good luck!!

[budgiebabe]

yes, you can trim the vent feather yourself, with a pair of scissors, i do this to all my birds! :D, good luck!!

Any tips? The male does do step up but i think if i have hold of him, he'll most certainly bite me hard! The female is used to me 'grabbing her' as i have to get feathers stuck to her. So she'll be no problem, se's learned mummy isn't as tasty as millet!

Thanks jimjam&sonny

[jimjam&sonny]

hi budgiebabe,
you'll have to hold both budgies, and move away the tail & wing feathers from the vent area which will be trimmed & slowly trim feathers around their vent, i usually trimm most feathers so you can see mostly pink skin & you can see the vent, & this does work, the breeder i get my budgies from has tried this, at first he used to keep them normal & less eggs were fertile now that he trimms them the same pairs have more fertile eggs! :D, good luck (i've added pics of boo on Theo & Sky's journal!!) :D

[budgiebabe]

hi budgiebabe,
you'll have to hold both budgies, and move away the tail & wing feathers from the vent area which will be trimmed & slowly trim feathers around their vent, i usually trimm most feathers so you can see mostly pink skin & you can see the vent, & this does work, the breeder i get my budgies from has tried this, at first he used to keep them normal & less eggs were fertile now that he trimms them the same pairs have more fertile eggs! :D, good luck (i've added pics of boo on Theo & Sky's journal!!) :D

Thanks jimjam&sonny. Boo is getting very cute now! When i have trimmed the vent area (i tht the general bum area? yeah, ok!) Where you talking about ai them? Is that an easy job?

[jimjam&sonny]

(i tht the general bum area? yeah, ok!) Where you talking about ai them? Is that an easy job?

what do you mean?? sorry i dont understand! :P, ( i dont mean to sound rudde)

[SpickyDavies]

trimming vent feathers is so funny :D
i think it's necessary in the more puffy show birds



http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo318/ollypup/101-1.jpg

The secret is a good sharp pair of scissors, be careful though, because it really hurts if you cut ya finger, any underdown that you feel may get in the way, remove by pulling. Some folk feel that the guide feathers should be left, these are the fine feathers forming a circle directly around the vent, we tend to pull these also.

[jimjam&sonny]

yes spicky!! thats the way i do it too! ;), thanks spicky, this will help alot!

[budgiebabe]

Thanks.

Scoobie isn't going to like me now! I think he'll pull a face alot more weird than that:D

[budgiebabe]

(i tht the general bum area? yeah, ok!) Where you talking about ai them? Is that an easy job?

what do you mean?? sorry i dont understand! :P, ( i dont mean to sound rudde)

Sorry my laptop can't keep up with my speed of typing sometimes!

I was just checking that the vent was their butts!:D AI. artifical insemation (sorry for spelling) when you do the male's job for them. I think DEAN (gurwolf) knows how to do this.

[jimjam&sonny]

its ok, good luck with your eggs, how many more days till the 1st egg hatches??

[budgiebabe]

its ok, good luck with your eggs, how many more days till the 1st egg hatches??

if it's fertile it's due on thursday. It doesn't look like she's having any more. number 8 egg was due on sunday and there wasn't any sign of it yestuday or today!

[budgiebabe]

I'm really upset tonight.

I've checked the fertilty of my seven beautiful eggs and none are fertile. :( Not even one. It upsets me because it was diesel's second attempt at being a mummy and nothing has happend, AGAIN.

I just wish she could be a mummy. I really wanted it to work this time. Why has i gone wrong for me again?

I'm going to wait until the youngest egg is 24 days old just incase then i have no idea what to do. I wish i could have the enjoyment of watching a see little life to grow and blossom in my hands.

[jimjam&sonny]

AWW! well, thats life, Snow my albino hen lid 5 infertile eggs, i was sad aswell, because i wanted to see her chicks, but i guess, its life!! maybe next time the eggs will be fertile?? good luck for next time tho!

[SpickyDavies]

bad luck, but you never know, some may surprise you

go threw the checklist a sent a while back
it could be anything
usually if the first round is clear, the rest will be also

[riotfox]

awww that is terrible!

[budgiebabe]

bad luck, but you never know, some may surprise you

go threw the checklist a sent a while back
it could be anything
usually if the first round is clear, the rest will be also

Iwill do thanks. This is now her second round of clear eggs. Can't understand. My zebra finches are doing brillantly but not even one fertile egg out of the budgies. might swap males over and see if that helps.

If none of these eggs are fertile, can she go for another round of eggs or do i wait 6 months again. I don't want to push her.

[SpickyDavies]

my first pair gave me nothing but infertile eggs
what are their ages again?
i'd try her with a different male in a few months
they were be no point in putting them back together again, they will continue to be infertile

[SpickyDavies]

can you get a photo of the whole set up aswell please

[budgiebabe]

my first pair gave me nothing but infertile eggs
what are their ages again?
i'd try her with a different male in a few months
they were be no point in putting them back together again, they will continue to be infertile

Diesel (female) is Two years and 4 and a half months.

Scoobie (male) is Two years and 9 and a half months.

I'm not sure what to do about adding my other male with her as they don't get on. Is this to do with the fact they never have been kept together? They do like play with each other when i let them both out (before i breed diesel.) I tried to train diesel to come out but it didn't go so well. She fell in a sink full of water! She didn't seem so keen to come out then!

My other male joey is approx. 3 1/2 years old.

I haven't done scoobie's vent feathers yet.

[budgiebabe]

can you get a photo of the whole set up aswell please

I'm sorry i can't at the moment.

My brother:mad: has 'borrowed' my phone cable so i can't get my pictures off my phone onto the laptop:mad::mad::mad::mad:

I'm waiting for him to return it. If he hasn't by christmas i'll kill him (i'm only joking, i'll make him pay, money:))