George and Mystique

[2many]

I wanted to wait until I had all the pictures to post in chronological order, but my memory card had other ideas :( . Mystique laid 6 eggs on the bottom of her cage. She had 5 eggs before this but none hatched (early dis). I didn't really want to encourage her so did not get her a nest box. Two weeks ago today I noticed Mystique and George were a bit flightier then usual. I didn't think too much of it then, though the thought of someone hatching did cross my mind. I now think that baby #1 must have been chirping in the egg, and they didn't expect an egg to talk to them :eek:. On October 26, 2009, around 6am, I was getting ready for work and went to feed all the critters. I saw part of an eggshell and when Mystique moved, a tiny baby! On my break at work I went and bought a nestbox and set it up right away when I got home. Moved all the eggs and then moved baby #1 (very carefully!) That was around 2pm. Around 6:30pm, baby #2 was born! The next morning there were no new arrivals but the two were doing great with full crops. When I came home that afternoon, baby #3 had arrived (sometime between 6:30am and 2pm). After much anticipating (by now I was really into this, lol), Baby #4 (Boo) arrived on November 4, 2009. At this point one egg is still due to hatch, at least I hope. That baby will be named Benji. The first three aren't officially named, but the first girl will be named Maggie, after my grandmother's favorite budgie. Boo is growing well and all babies have full crops. I do have some pictures I will add here; I so wish I had the early pictures of the first three.


I will post this part here sos not to lose what I have written and then I will add the pictures in a few minutes or so :).

Alright, here we go. These are the parents. I believe mommy Mystique is a (clearwing?) opaline grey; Daddy George is a dark green normal. Both parents are rescue birds. Mystique I have had for a few years, and George is a recent arrival.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0471.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0473.jpg

These are the earliest pictures I have:

Taken 11-2-2009; the three oldest at 7 and 6 days. Because they are so close in gae (no more then about 40 hours separate them, I can't always tell who is who:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0447.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0453.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0457.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0458.jpg






Boo arrives! Taken 11-4-2009 shortly after discovery! Older babies are 9 and 8 days.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0479.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0476.jpg



Boo at two days, wow!! Taken 11-6-2009; older babies are 11 and 10 days.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0489.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0488.jpg

I will post more recent in a bit; photobucket is also giving me issues, grrrrrr.

[peepersbev]

They are very cute 2many. I have noticed that you are hand feeding them. It is nice that you are helping the parents

[2many]

They are very cute 2many. I have noticed that you are hand feeding them. It is nice that you are helping the parents

Thanks, peepersbev :). They are not being handfed; Mystique and George are very good parents. I do offer a soft food mix that I make myself, and that is given three times a day. The babies are very calm just from being handled often, but I prefer to let mom and dad do the feeding :) . I still worry about Boo, but he does seem to be growing at a normal rate.

[2many]

I had to clean the nest box and check the eggs, so brought them all out for picture time. Doesn't look like Benji will be arriving; I believe they are both dis eggs :( but I did leave them in for now.


I can tell the 3 oldest babies apart! So I THINK I know their proper birth order :S

This is baby # 2, who I believe will be a grey (white wing feathers coming in)? That would mean that George is split to blue, correct? (s)he has a smal patch on the back of the head. 13 days old.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060011.jpg



Baby # 3; yellow wing feathers so a grey green. No patch on the back of the head. 12 days old.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060003.jpg


Baby # 1, another grey green. This baby has the largest patch on the back of the head. 13 days old.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060002.jpg


Boo!! 5 days old now! (S)he looks to be on track as far as growth and development?


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060013.jpg


Group shots :) I love how Boo is using two of his siblings for a pillow :XD:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060014.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB060020.jpg

[2many]

No pictures tonight and I didn't get to handle them but they are getting fuzzier and fuzzier :loveeyes: Mystique wasnt willing to leave them and I won't push her since they are their little ones, after all, and I promised her I would respect that. But I did get to peek at them and they are fine. Maybe tomorrow she will want to take a longer break. I am anxious to see how their pinfeathers are growing in (I spent most of the evening happily wandering through the genetics section here). I also wanna see if Boo's eyes are opening yet :). He or she will be a week old on Tuesday :D .

[2many]

New picture of the babies :). I had to clean out the nestbox so "bought" about half an hour with the little ones (paid in spray millet, lol). George and Mystique are doing great but look so tired; this will be the only clutch for them this time around, at least.

The babies look great! I think the two grey greens are girls and the grey baby is a boy. I also think I got the ages wrong on the last group so will go back and edit that. The green ones will be Maggie and Kyra (if girls). Boo came pre named which will work for either. I can't wait to see what color Boo will be. The grey baby I haven't thought of a name yet. I don't handle Boo too much except to transfer him back and forth, and his eyes aren't open yet. The other three are so very very sweet. I talked to them and they really listened, and snuggled in my hand. I have noticed that if they are in the box and I say hi they will often open their eyes and look around to see me :D. Mystique and George seem to prefer the top open so it's easy enough to peek in and say hi while they are eating/taking a break.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB080022.jpg

Boo is in the back; sorry it's not a better picture. He is so into snuggling under his little feathered blankets, or sleeping on his feathered pillows, lol. The other three from left to right are grey baby (boy?), and tentatively named Kyra and Maggie, who I believe is the oldest. I love love love their shade of green; pictures I have seen online do not do the grey green color justice!


Maggie is very outgoing and wanted to explore today. Kyra is a bit more laid back, and very snuggly, and grey boy is such a snuggle bug! I love watching their personalities develop. I talked to each of the oldest three individually, and then told Boo he was getting so big and I couldn't wait for his eyes to open :). I plan on getting individual pictures next time they were out. My camera wasn't very cooperative about getting in focus pictures last time, so I need to either move into a higher light area or borrow my mom's camera. The babies are 15 days, 14 days and 1 week (I wished Boo a happy 1 week birthday!).

[felix]

Wow thanks for all those great pictures. Keep them comming cant wait to see more.:budgie:

[2many]

thank you felix :) I am glad you enjoy seeing them grow up as i do. they all have been named now (tentatively, at least!). I chose the name Kenji for the little grey boy. Although this was a surprise clutch, I am very psyched about their arrival (still!!). They are also not my first surprise budgies. Years ago Sweet Pea went through with a third clutch (First clutch never hatched) and I ended up with Simone. I do have another pair in another cage and Stormy laid an egg the day before last. Tempting as it was, I felt the best thing to do was remove the egg. I am not 100% clear on her age and only have one box, and am not sure if it would be wise to let this pair go to nest. Maybe in the future.

I have been going through and finding pictures of budgies from my previous flocks, and will start writing stories to add to the story section here. It will be good to have a place to have that information down and also pictures to match the stories. We have had budgies since 1985, except for a period of 2 years where I just couldn't have any (after I had lost my first flock).

I have been doing so much reading at the various sections. Last night I checked out recipes. I may add the one I am using for George and Mystique. There is such a wealth of information here, and I just get lost in the threads, lol.

[2many]

I have some good pictures of all the little ones :D. All are doing well but Boo was a bit fussy about his "photo shoot". I attribute this to his eyes not being open yet (starting though!!), and not being able to understand whi his feathered pillows and blankets all kept disappearing :S The others were a bit sleepy and not so much into wanting to come out, although they all liked sitting on my hand, lol.


This is Kenji, the little grey boy at 17 days (chick 2 (?) ):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0513.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0514.jpg




Kyra, The younger of the two grey green girls at 16 days (chick 3 (?) ) :

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0517.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0519.jpg




Baby Boo (chick 4) at 8 days. His eyes are starting to open just a bit AND he is a tiny bit fuzzier :) :

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0522.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0535.jpg


Maggie, the older grey green girl at 17 days (chick 1):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0530.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0539.jpg




Maggie and Kyra have slightly different shading. Don't know if its just lighting or growth differences or maybe they are different shades of green? George is a dark green. I am hoping I am right on with telling genders on the oldest 3. Most of these pictures except the ones in the nest were taken without a flash.

[peepersbev]

They are looking very good. I just love to see how they grow up very fast. It is just amazing. The colors of them are just awesome.

[2many]

Thank you, peepersbev. They grow too fast, I think! I get so excited to see the changes every day, but this time in their lives is too short!


Boo is just too cute!! 9 days old now :) may be another grey?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0554-1.jpg



The whole crew :) Boo in front, with (left to right) Maggie (18 days), Kyra (17 days), and Kenji (18 days). You can definitely see the difference in green between Maggie and Kyra on this one.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0558.jpg

[Caspir]

I love the last picture. Shows the different colors very well. Put my name on Kyra. She's lovely! :)

[2many]

thank you, Kay :). Kyra is so pretty; looks like your guy is the same color? He is very handsome :D

updating. I am a bit behind so I will start with this picture taken on Sunday.

Boo (front) at 11 days. Behind Boo, left to right; Maggie and Kenji at 20 days and Kyra at 19 days:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0561.jpg

What a difference just two days makes! Here is the whole group again. Kenji and Maggie at 22 days (top) and Kyra (21 days) and Boo (13 days):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0572.jpg

And individual pictures :)

Boo at 13 days:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0562.jpg


Kenji at 22 days:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0563.jpg


Maggie at 22 days:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0564.jpg


Kyra at 21 days. Kyra is very shy, and her beautiful color just doesn't show well on camera. I tried many angles and even a flash but nothing really shows this shade of green well. Pictures just don't do her justice!:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0570.jpg

[clifff123]

They are precious such pretty colors, thanks for posting

[jimjam&sonny]

we need new pics & an update!! :D

[2many]

I was running so late today because I woke up with about 15 minutes to get ready, and get the birds and other critters fed :eek:

BUT, i saw these guys this morning all cozy and snuggly, waiting for their (LATE!) breakfast :loveeyes:

top l-r Boo (15 days) and Maggie (24 days); bottom l-r Kenji (24 days) and Kyra (23 days):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB180062.jpg

Proof that time does stop for these cuties :D

[Vickie]

What beautiful pictures. I've never actually seen pictures of baby budgie's development like this. You can actually tell them apart! It's nice that they are all different colors, but it will be months before we can tell if they are males or females. :P

Thanks for the pictures, they are wonderful. :)

[2many]

Maggie fledged last night! Found her outside the box looking a bit lost. She actually came out several days ago too, but I think it was more of her getting jostled out, since it's getting rather crowded in there! This morning, Kyra was out! Also looking rather lost, poor sweetie. I added more perches and a little hide box they can snuggle in. Last night I switched to a much bigger food dish on the bottom of the cage and last week I added a lot of soft litter. So I think we are all set :). Maggie was also attacking the millet spray in the box this morning, but I don't know if she was nibbling any or just playing with it.

[2many]

The babies are growing up so quick :D Kenji was out for a bit this morning.

pictures of them all and the age they were when they fledged. I still wanna get new pictures of Boo; he is as big as the others now! Just waiting for all his feathers as he is still covered with fluffy grey down :loveeyes:


Maggie fledged at 24 days:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB180082.jpg

Kyra fledged at 23 days:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB190083.jpg

Kenji fledged this morning at 27 days:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB200090.jpg

Maggie and Kenji this morning (waiting for breakfast); 27 days:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB200089.jpg

Both George and Mystique are feeding them still. George has always been active in feeding the babies :).

[jimjam&sonny]

what happened to the youngest?? no new pics of him??

[2many]

what happened to the youngest?? no new pics of him??


I still wanna get new pictures of Boo; he is as big as the others now! Just waiting for all his feathers as he is still covered with fluffy grey down

Boo is fine; I didn't get him out today as expected. Hopefully tomorrow. He is really proud of his new feathers; of all the babies he preens his the most :D. He is gonna be a grey, though I am still unsure if he will be opaline.

[2many]

I appologise for not updating better :o. Maggie, Kenji, and Kyra are all fledged and look great. Kyra was even eating seed on her own just a bit ago; she even filled her crop :D. I haven't seen the others eat but they probably are, plus George is doing a great job feeding :). All seem content; poor Mystique looks exhausted.

Because of Boo being 8/9 days younger then the other three, I am supplementing what George and/or Mystique give him with some hand feeding. Despite my nervousness, and a bit of a scare yesterday, Boo seems to be thriving today :). I also bought a candy thermometer on the advice of a website so I don't have to rely on guessing what may be too hot. He really talks after he is fed! I have a short video I will post later; never remember a baby being so vocal after a feeding. He likes to explore a bit sometimes and he likes to watch the other critters (I have a mini zoo; the guinea pigs fascinated him last night!). Sometimes he will take a bit more food after a few minutes, but usually he backs away when he is done. So not sure if he is critiquing my formula or method or what :p. George went looking for him when I was getting ready to put him back, so I think he may sucker dad out of something, lol. I will post pictures of all and video of Boo a bit later. Oh, and Boo fledged yesterday! I think he knows how to get back in the box by himself already too. I think he wanst to keep up with his older siblings. He also nibbled and swallowed a tiny millet seed, I think :).

[2many]

Pictures of Baby Boo :)

For those wondering how Boo is:


first pictures of him at 17 days:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB210105.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB210107.jpg







video! Taken yesterday after handfeeding, age 23 days:
YouTube- MVI_0585.avi

[2many]

I do have pictures of all that I need to add here. I almost lost Kenji last night (long story, but not sure where to post it?) but he seems to be doing fine now. Boo is doing well with hand feeding and took his first flights yesterday (I missed them, but there is no other way he could have gotten so high!). Boo is 4 weeks today; Maggie and Kenji are 37 days, and Kyra is 36 days.

[2many]

Kenji has made a full recovery, and Boo was on the main perch with the others this afternoon :D. I have so many pictures to go through and will do that very soon. It's been a crazy couple of weeks.

[2many]

These were taken using my camera phone:


Yesterday:

Left to right; George, Maggie, Mystique (back), and Kenji (front):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/p_00346.jpg

Kyra trying for a nap:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/p_00347.jpg


Boo sleeping:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/p_00345.jpg

This one was taken this afternoon after Boo's handfeeding:

On the high perch!! Left to right; Mystique, George, Kyra, Kenji (on the water dish, Boo, and Maggie:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/p_00348.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/p_00349.jpg

Camera pictures:

Kenji; taken December 1, 2009, not long after his accident (Kenji was caught and almost strangled by a toy, which has since been removed):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB290154.jpg

I did call our avian vet yesterday and she said as long as he is eating and acting normally, there should be no long term problems. The red around his eyes is also normal and will fade in a few days:

I like this one:) Boo and Kenji (back), with Maggie's sweet little face in the corner :D. This was taken early Wednesday morning:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB300155.jpg

Kenji getting back to what babies do :), exploring and playing:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB300163.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB300164.jpg

Kyra playing:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PB300190.jpg

Realising I need more Maggie pictures :eek:. All I have are really fuzzy phone pictures. So tomorrow I will post some of just her :D

[2many]

new pictures of the family :)

George and Kenji (6 weeks):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070026.jpg


Kyra (41 days):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070027.jpg

(l-r) Kyra, Boo (33 days), Maggie (6 weeks) and Mystique:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070029.jpg

Mystique:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070034.jpg





Assorted pictures:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070023.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070025.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC070030.jpg

Boo hasn't wanted me to feed him today at all. Scolds me and flings formula and even flew away from me. I was most worried until a few minutes ago; daddy George is feeding him. I have been replaced by dad (I can live with that but I already miss feeding him!). Boo is 33 days.

[lotus15]

Oh my gosh!!! I just discovered this thread or else I would've been commenting all along the way. I am just in love with Kenji and Boo!! But I really really loved watching them grow up... please continue to post lots of photos!! They are all such beautiful babies! Are you planning on keeping them?

[2many]

I can't believe how fast everyone grew! The babies all have their own personalities and are quite the fiesty bunch. I plan on taking videos and pictures and updating about each little one as soon as I can. Thanks to all who have been following them on their journey :D. I only wish there had been a resource like this with my previous clutches all those years ago!

[2many]

Took these the other night; all three green budgies were on one perch, and all three grey budgies were on another, lol:

Green budgies (l-r) George, Maggie, and Kyra:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC080038.jpg

Grey budgies (l-r) Mystique, Boo, and Kenji:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/PC080039-1.jpg

[2many]

Took these earlier today as everyone was trying to nap. I borrowed my mom's camera:

Maggie (7 weeks):

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0614.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0615.jpg

Mystique and Kyra (41 days):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0616.jpg

Kenji (7 weeks):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0617.jpg

Boo (30 days):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0618.jpg

George:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/2many/Budgies/George%20and%20Mystique%20babies/IMG_0621.jpg

[felix]

Really nice looking flock, great job you did with the chicks.