Managed to get more chicks into baby flights and many first round chicks are near complete molting through ang getting weight on. I started putting a few through the training cages and was pleasantly surprised.

Again the weather has turned with plenty of rain, I just decided to reopen outside flights and the birds took no time in getting out enjoying the space, until it chucked it down. The birds at first loved the wet clinging on the wire, but within minutes they were soaked on the floor and all had to be put back inside early as the rain was in for the night.

Going through a few hens that have been resting from two rounds this season, they seem to be taking a while to really get fit. While we know the weather has been cold, my feeling is the hens really have had it taken out of them, they will need resting longer than normal

Northdowns meeting very good turnout. Steve Bailey and Mick Freebourne (South Hants BS) were the speakers, it was an enjoyable night!

Caught up a bit with the birds and managed to move young birds into main flights, so much better!

Got invited to go with Ron to Ipswich BS were he was giving one of his Budgie sermons. We left midday Wednesday and drove to Janice & Ghalib Al-Nassers, who now live in a very pretty village on the Essex/Suffolk border. We were looking forward to see their new bird room and very nice it was too! Well constructed and very light inside, lined out with white sheets of PVC, will look forward to our next visit when the cages and flights are fitted out.

Bad weather had held up things the last few days. one Ipswich BS member Simon was in the process of laying a path, a very good job he was making, will make getting to and from the bird room so much better. As normal Janice provided us with a fine meal before we went off to the meeting for Ron to do his stuff. Very good turn out of 20+ members had a nice welcome, then back to Janice & Ghalibs, for the night.

Thursday, early start, Janice cooked the "full English" which went down well. Then it’s to Suffolk and visit a few local villages. How unspoilt that part of the world is! Than a nice drive home after a good few days....

Pair 23 that had two full round go Addled and Dead in Shell, have hatched and rearing two chicks from six eggs so far, so I’m pleased with that as they’re a nice pair. The big surprise of the week is Pair 49, the Lutino cock has bred me two Albino’s and they do look really nice. They have plenty of feather and both parents go back to big Yellow Faced Albinos on their Grandfather’s side. I will keep them going as long as they want. Also my Lacewings that got off to a funny start have all produced chicks, many will be hens as Dark eye hens were used to viual cocks, ideal for next season for straight Lacewing pairings.

Really need to reduce the Dominant Pieds they’re coming out my ears from the three Swiss Pied’s bought in during 05/6, they seem to produce more than 50% in the nest nearly every chick is a pied and they’re nearly all well spotted. Some really useful hens among them. There are a few ticked, I don’t mind that as they find their way into the Red eyes, good outcrosses.

Had a nice morning visit from Gavin (Se BC), weather was good birds looked very well. I managed to get eight new pairings made and a good number of chicks away into baby flight. A number of pairs now going onto round three, they seem happy and the chicks are nice so I let them get on. They will tell me when they have had enough. I removed heaters from the shed as they have not been on for almost two weeks! The days are a lot warmer and nights drawing out so I will reopen outside flights through the day.

Wild birds going mad looking to nest which is a good sign Spring is around the corner. Breeding is going so well this year plenty of surprises, in Pair 9 I have a Yellow Face Spangle Sky appear and it looks promising, also Spangle grey green and Normal Cinn Lt Green.

Just goes to show even with 50 yrs breeding budgies you still don’t get it right! Pair 56 had four cracking Normal Cinnamon Lt Greens and two Opaline Lt Greens in the box. They were starting to come out onto cage floor at about 4weeks old. The hen has been great, until she had a right go at the Normal Cinnamon chicks, to which I lost them then the Opal Lt Green, again lost it. I was left with one Opaline Lt Green from six chicks, yet the hen last year reared five babies on her own for six weeks that turned out to be some of my best cock birds from 09 Had I moved the hen, (she had another five fertile eggs)2nd round she would of had her cycle broken then maybe had to wait 5/6 weeks to reuse her. The chicks were not old enough to come away. I took the cock away in the day and she still went for the chicks, I put the cock back just to carry on getting fertile eggs but by then the damage was done! Just shows we do get it wrong quite often.

Yet another Feather Duster in pair 3 this time Normal Grey Pied, will defiantly have a page for dusters on my website this year!

Pair 56 two young Cinnamons dead, the hen had another go. Yes it would be easy to say take hen away but the chicks WERE very nice! She has laid four fertile eggs on her second round. The babies shelters are in the cages and they dont seem to stop her, just shows how changeable livestock can be!

On a good side box23 has hatched so far two chicks from five fertile eggs and feeding well. Her last two rounds both went addled and dead in shell, so I’m pleased as the Grey Green Cock is a good ‘09 cock from pied line. The hen on Opaline Sky Pied is a good solid hen, fingers crossed all’s well this time.

Culled three feather dusters as they were ready to go took pictures of them and will have enough to have my own Duster page!

 Started raining tonight about 4pm something we have had little of recently, but it’s a bit warmer weather and the birds will certainly think spring is here! Judging by the Blue tits in and out our Tit boxes, they must know something we don’t Binoculars to the ready.....

Found hen in pair 56, Normal Cinnamon Lt Green, had a right go at the chicks. Three Normal Cinnamo Lt Greens, and two Opaline Light greens, father is Normal Lt Green. All about 4-5 weeks just not old enough to take away. Worst thing is last season she reared 2 nests of chicks on her own and did very good job.

Went through cages, light freshen up, cleaned and refreshed seed hoppers etc. Hopefully over next few days get a few new pairs up into empty cage.

Managed to get a few more cages washed for new pairings, weather not overly warm again and was thinking of opening outside flights up, but weather still cold and changeable. Good numbers of pinkies hatching also the number of Feather Dusters is up to 7.....not pleased!

Most football called of Adam wont be playing so I’m spending the day changing a few pairs that have had 2 rounds eggs fostered so I can run cocks with new hens. There is also a number of chicks to ring and some to move away. It was just nice to spend 4/5 hours just doing birds stuff. I just love it!

Had my second seed delivery from Johnston & Jeff. First one was in October ‘09, I would like to think since changing seed supply it could be connected to why the birds are going well! It does pay to keep your birds on a balanced feeding system. On speaking with Richard Johnston, (J&J) I was very please he OK’d me to buy seed direct from them on half-ton pallets (seed, millett sprays & naked oats) the last delivery has lasted approx. four months. The quality is very high and the birds I have I think adapted well!

Slow day today, weather crap, saw the shoulder surgeon this morning. He was pleased how things have gone and took my shoulder wedge sling away. I’m now just to use arm sling for couple of weeks. I start physiotherapy on Monday.

I went to my club Northdowns this evening with Ron Pearce and Andrew Luke came along as he lives at Kew, 30 minutes drive. Hopefully he’ll want to use the club more which will be nice.

It was good to talk birds and they have some outstanding stock (T&ALuke, Preston Lancs).

Had visitors from Swindon over today. Steve and Matt spent a nice few hours, talking birds. When they returned home I had received and email from them which said they enjoyed the visit.

Spent rest of the day checking babies and boxes along with doing soft food. What I have noticed is that the chicks, after leaving the box at 4-5 weeks. Some parent birds seem to want to get on breeding and only just top up chicks as and when needed which I think is a cause for concern as a number of chicks fall back a bit after weaning. I also found with the babies this year I’ve needed to add a few more dry naked oats to the seed for body weight.

Really struggled of late with the 10inch fans in the main flights. Both have been messing about for a while now and both packed up. Its not untill now you see how much dust they take out the air. Every morning the dust that settles over night makes life for the birds unpleasant I’m sure. The trouble is to replace the fans is a lot of money, might need to look at another way of dust extraction.

We managed to clean and wash the 51 cages, pots, and trays.

It’s been a month since my shoulder operation and need to get back on track with my day to day routine. Flights are the next job, will have to soften her up for that one!

Spent morning cleaning drinkers (85 in total) I try to give them a scrub weekly. I took a good number of babies away and rung another 18. I cannot believe I’m having the luck this year with breeding, never had so many babies for this time of the year fertility is so high, but let’s not get too carried away!!

Chance to have a day out, Ron Pearce was giving a talk at Croydon BS. He said he wanted to visit Rob Harvey Feeds at Farnham. He is looking into fitting lighting tubes, only to find they had none in stock! Still we had a nice breakie and ride out.

We then went straight through to Wallington near Croydon to Fred Wrights. We had a nice brew and chat then went to the bird room. Fred was well under way breeding, some super babies in baby cages that just missed 010 rings also some useful 010 babies. It’ll be good to see them later on!

The meeting went well Ron did a very enjoyable open talk with member’s birds on selecting pairings I’m sure many leant a thing or two. All in all a nice day out!

Well my Birthday and I’m 59 today, bit scary as next year, is the big 60!! Had a quiet day they were all out, even in the evening so I spent a few hours catching up with the birds!

Had to take some birds to meet someone, decided Bridgewater was best as he lived in Exeter. I made a point of calling on our friends Brian and Marlene Sweeting. As usual normal friendly welcome, met Ben the new dog, he’s a cracker! In the end we stayed the
weekend, spent a good while with Brian in the birds. As normal he has some cracking 010 babies, but what did impress me most were the late bred family of Normal Sky and Darkfactor Blue cocks. They will be very noticed if he chooses to show them, powerful faces, bags of feather. Brian certainly knows how to get this type of bird fit for showing.

All in all a very relaxed pleasant weekend, thanks to Barbara doing all the driving!

A normal Wednesday at Brighton seeing the grandsons, very cold day and got home later than normal due to the weather. I thought I would check the birds before lights out, real good job I did! In the flight with late bred hens in they managed to ease a window open some how. There were 16 hens out in outside flight at 10.30pm it was a – 4 degrees and frosty, had I not checked them I would almost have lost the lot!

So much for the last few days and better weather, temporally dropping at night again. Birds feel the change and lost a very good baby grey today, maybe one of the best babies so far, no reason! It was ok in the morning, but dead if the afternoon! It was also the first time I’ve ever had a chick die in my hand as I was ringing it.  

Colbolt Spangle/Pied decided to change the hen as I felt the chicks he bred were not what I expected, he is now with a Cinn opal Grey green Spangle(cousin)...Let’s see how they go…

Weather got better from midday, could even have the door and window open for the afternoon.

I managed to check nest boxes and move 30 babies away. I’ve given a few of them a few more days. I Culled two feather dusters both from pair 25. The father being the ‘09 Cobolt, Spang/pied. One duster was a normal Cinnamon grey pied and the other a normal cobolt Spangle. They have gone down again on full clutch, I intend to pair him away to another hen as soon as the chicks start hatching and it’ll be to a Spangle grey green (cousin) which is also culled. A very good late ‘09 Lutino, it had a lump appear in the capping. I thought it was in a head moult but the lump just got bigger, I assume it may grow inside as well as out.

Stood casting my eye across the late bred babies in flight, about 35 hens put aside and many look very promising, mainly the normal Cinnamon Sky. Even a few Yellow faces. That’s where extended breeding pays off.

All in all I was pleased to catch up with the birds. The first time in six days and I was pleasantly surprised. It was also very nice to see the daylight still out at 5.20 pm.....Happy days!

I decided to keep my eye appointment as it was booked. I had a cyst behind eyelid and they decided to cut it out. All I needed was a patch over my eye, oh brilliant, I got one! One crutch, arm in sling patch over eye, now all that was missing was a parrot for my shoulder. 

So much for overnight! They knew my track record and they gave me 48hours to stay in Hospital to rest and heal. Finally made it home around mid afternoon though, armed with antibiotics. I can’t do much at all for 8/10 weeks as the arm and shoulder are in a wedge sling which will be a nightmare!!

I had a walk down the shed and checked round the boxes, all well and lots more ringing to do, I could get a few tips on ringing from Bill Bancroft?

I missed the normal day in Brighton today with my two Grandsons, so I had the complete day to go through the cages with all 51 cleaned and washed along with all trays and dishes.

I changed a few birds around and even managed to get the small inside flights cleaned out. All in all it’s been a long day.

Not much done today, had Brian round in afternoon bringing with him a new beginner. A very nice couple of hours spend with them.

Thought things were going too well. I received a phone call telling me my shoulder operation from 11th February has been moved forward 3 weeks, GREAT! I had everything planned, I go in on Friday 29th at 7am and told I will stay in overnight.  I now have 3 days to get everything cleaned out and washed.

Lazy one today I think, over done it yesterday but had nice visit from Dan and Vicky (South Eastern BS - a local club) They’re both very keen beginners and spent a nice few hours with them and I think they enjoyed the visit.

Box 48, an outcross cock Opaline grey green x Opaline Cinnamon Grey green pied hen, last 2 chicks seem a bit small compared with the others in nest. Both culled (need to be done), older chicks in box look nice however.

Took more chicks away to baby flight with a good number of pairs starting well into 2nd round. I went round and trimmed all the vent areas on breeding cock, this clears excess feathers and hopefully helps maintain fertile mating

I watched the early T & A Luke freebie DVD and it was well worth it. An empty house, TV to myself with an afternoon cuppa lovely jubbly!!

Spent most of the day having a clean and freshened up the cages and feed trays along with washing the pots.

The birds seem to have taken to the J & J seed change very well with no side effects.

I changed over a couple of hens from cages 24 and 32 and also paired up a new pair in cage 40. A young Lacewing cock with a normal cinnamon grey green hen.

I lost a nice baby Albino of four weeks old. The cock for some reason didn’t feed as well as the others. The rest of the nest was fine, strange pairing this as the Albino paired to a very nice grey white hen over 5 rounds I have had all albino hens, not one dilute cock. It’s very unusual especially for my breeding, still I’m very happy.

Moved a good number of 2010 babies into a nursery flight, all seem well with plenty of soaked millet sprays for the first few days. This allows them to settle down and to also allow pairs to get on
with next round.

Very pleased that the fertility still seems to be very high, especially Pair 23. Cracking grey green cock 09 opaline sky pied hen. A very nice pair (cousins) cause for concern 1st round 7 fertile eggs , 2 chicks hatched but both died. Then cleared out the box, 2nd round 8 fertile eggs, she sat well and the first 3 eggs added at 15/15 days...why??  Maybe the hen? I might rest her. Cock important bird to use and will repair with a new hen which is a shame as I was hoping good things!

The bird room is still very active and the weather improved with a better temperature and also the daylight hours seem to be getting longer. The cold weathers not only affected the birds but our pond. Through the snow and freezing condition it froze for the first time ever. Roughly about one inch of thick ice which was broke daily only to freeze again!! The result was that we lost four of our biggest Koi (9/10 yrs old) with a total weight of 52ib, big loss! I shall post some pictures in my Gallery soon.

Morning phone call, sad news my mate Dave Florey had sadly lost his fight with illness and passed away, he’d been unwell for a few months. Dave was the guy that my first breeding pairs came from and whom gave me a great start into this side our wonderful hobby. He was a good budgie man and to me this is a very sad day for me! You will be missed!

Pretty much all the snow had gone and ice has all melted away! Finally so warmer temperatures, some might even suggest a heat wave at 4-5*C.

Managed to get the dog out today and stretch both of our legs with some nice fresh air! Hopefully we can all get back to normality with some decent weather spells.

Had some light rain through the day and the snow is slowly going, thank Christ!

The bird’s noise level is very noticeable as the weather improves. I must say the fertility and chick’s hatches have been so pleasing with over 70 rung now.

 Pinkies through the boxes and some very nice chick appearing, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Woke to more heavy snow and it continued to snowed all day.

I spent time checking the progress of chicks, many outside boxes now starting feeding themselves, good time to check if your choice of pairings were correct. I have some pleasing surprises, one 09 Lutino cock has produced a super Albino. His grandfather was a German yellow faced Albino (swap) great birds plenty of feather and also came back down from my line. Let’s hope they produce more of the Lutino’s from the pair as they looked good!

Also two very good normal Grey’s out on perches from cage 19 also its greed Pied.

I spent most of the day at pre assessment clinic today preparing for having my shoulder operation on February 11^th. I’ve had a torn shoulder muscle for the past three years and my shoulder will now be strapped up in a ‘wedge sling’ for 8-10 weeks which is not good!

I need to ensure all cages and flights boxes get cleaned out and everything is done as I will only be able to do things one handed (should be interesting!)

Snow still about and too cold to spend too much time outside with it being very icey. I rung more chicks and topped up the soft food before calling it a day.

I just can’t believe it, checking round first thing today and another Spangle Grey green cock dead. The best one! The brother to one died from cage 22 looked, he looked fine and had good body weight. Only looks like he just fell of perch, Shit happens!!

I’ve had a good day in bird room. I cleaned all cages throughout, washed all feeding pots and perches. I also gave half a soaked millet spray to pairs every day with chicks, this helps the parents feed themselves. I must make sure they don’t starve themselves throughout the cold.

A good number of chicks feathered up and a few dropping out boxes. I need to check all cages before lights out, as the cold nights mean smaller chicks will stand no chance.

It also started snowing at 4 pm with a really heavy ground covering straight away!

Welcome 2010! A good start to the year, 10 chicks hatched today, two off pair 17 (very good pairing). The weather also seems to be a little better today.

Over the last couple of weeks I have phased out using Bucktons seed except for the tonic. Instead I have been blending with Johnson & Jeff. As from today they are on J&J completely. Really good deal from Richard Johnson (J&J), I have been keeping a watch just in case some birds are not keen but pleased they seem ok with the change. I have added dry oats to the seed as the bird’s need a bit of help throughout the cold and this will help them keep body weight.

Weather is very cold but birds seem to be copping well. Even with heating on in the shed you can still see the birds feeling the damp and cold.

I left the lights and radio on until 1.30 am in case of any fireworks for New Years Eve, but pleased there wasn’t as many fireworks as normal.

Chicks are still popping out by the day, I don’t remember having such an early and good start to a breeding season. I changed hen box 48 after looking a bit offish. I took no chance and moved her under a heat lamp. Right, 10 pm and one last check round of 2009!

Christmas been and gone and my 2010 rings came Christmas Eve in the post, which was pleasing. Have even used 50 rings straight away!

Birds are breeding really well, fertility seen through the cages and hatchability that is the same.

I also freshened up the cages as not much done over last few days due to the Christmas family time.

In Cage 22 I found dead a very good Spangle grey green cock, one of four Spangle brothers being used this year, all quality fertile birds, at least he left three chicks. I allowed hen to rear on her own until I can foster. The Weather is still very cold -4 at night.

Mince Pies have been left for Santa and the Carrot out for Rudolf. I hope they stop by, I'm sure I've been a good boy.

Merry Christmas everyone

Weather reports look severe for the next week and we had a very hard frost last night at -5 which was enough to freeze. Reports also show severe snow so I think I need to get the heaters out. I find it a must that if your prepairing for early breeding then you need to have a nice warm bird room. These chicks you save could be the ones your after.

Very cold and bitter winds means I'll need to check all the bird flights. All the birds seem to be tucking into the soft foods alot. A sign they're feeling the cold, I found a hen with a messy rear end. She was ok when I cleaned up but it just shows I could've lost her if I hadn't checked properly.

Snow showers today and all looking very pretty, but it froze at night make life that little bit harder.

The birds seem ok though and have got a good suply of Easibed and sterile shavings to be safe with the weather. They can't afford to run out through this bad weather and I need to keep on top of the
cleaning throughout the breeding season leaving nothing to chance.

Started mixing a few dry oats with the seed to give the birds a bit of body fuel with the cold and rearing the chicks just gives them that little extra. It also helps the babies gain a little weight which won't hurt them.

The baby chick crumbs seem to be going well, topping finger draws up and it's nice seeing the birds taking it well so it can only do good.

A couple of nests needed moving round as the young hens were slow feeding as they can go down again, maybe get it right next time......please!

With some good '09 cocks being used for breeding they seem to have proved themselves, two seven out of seven's and an eight out of eight. One cock being the Colbolt Spangle/pied on my '09 babies page, the other a very nice cinnamon light greeen. I lost the grey cock I said about (Nov 20th) he had left two chicks from the grey green hen he was with and I have moved them under redeye's where she is now re-paired to a nice colbolt cock and they look a nice pair in a cracking nest with two cinammons in.  One cin lt green and a cinn sky. Both parents are cinnamon, 1st cousin pairing the cin lt green is a monster and has just left the box. It's sods law he dropped a few flights where as the cinn sky has not and I'm not to concerned as i find if they loose them easy with no bleeding 9/10 times they grow back perfect.

I'm having to use every last '09 ring I can find, but still think its going to be tight. I don't like using rings twice, but I cut rings off chicks I culled for reasons and chicks if they died, so I managed to use those. I just hope i can get the rest rung otherwise the plastic ones will have to come out and I have not used them for years.

The lodging birds have now gone and this allows me now to clean and paint the inside flight so it's nice and fresh for the late babies out in the back flight. They can fly and mature in their own
time, this will release the back flight to get prepaired for the 2010 chicks as soon as they can come away from their pairs.

Weather's really starting to bite now and decided to close outside flights. I need to maintain a good warmth in breeding season and too early for the heating so the windows and door are closed all the time. I'll sometimes leave the door open a little if I'm working in there and it's ok with the fans doing the rest. Having said that one keeps playing up so I need to check it out, there's nothing worse than faulty electical item so it's best to be safe.

With all cages going well I was looking at the second round of babies in the flight and have some nice hens really coming through.

Also the cocks are buzzing round like bee's and still have fourty odd babies in the back flight. These really should have been flying by now as I have been housing some birds for a budgie God they have had to stay put for a while.

I'm really pleased with the young hens through out this year and they are, i think, the backbone to a good stud. Exciting times (as Brian says).

Weather has been really inconsistant, good, bit of wet/windy bursts and a bit of sun.

A few eggs added but not too many to worry about and just need to keep watching the humidity. I've not had problems before but as I'm early pairing up I just need to take notes.

Day out with Ron Pearce today, he needed to visit our mate Mick Deller in Swindon. Very interesting guy is Mick, he has been one of the top Pidgeon flyers in the wesy country for many years and there's nothing he has not won. Now breeding budgies and going very well his super birdroom he has made, Mick is a very deep thinker when it come to live stock having been a top greyhound trainer and pidgeon man. If Mick tries something, its for a reason. He showed something he was feeding and the birds went mad for it.

 We came away with a 1.5 kg bag each of Baby chick crumbs(Poultry feed). I'm now feeding it a little in the soft food and also finger draws in the cages, first signs the birds are taking it well. A really good day out apart from the rain, good thing is Mick and his lovely wife Kay always make you so welcome.

Day out with Ron Pearce today, he needed to visit our mate Mick Deller in Swindon. Very interesting guy is Mick, he has been one of the top Pidgeon flyers in the wesy country for many years and there's nothing he has not won. Now breeding budgies and going very well his super birdroom he has made, Mick is a very deep thinker when it come to live stock having been a top greyhound trainer and pidgeon man. If Mick tries something, its for a reason. He showed something he was feeding and the birds went mad for it.

 We came away with a 1.5 kg bag each of Baby chick crumbs(Poultry feed). I'm now feeding it a little in the soft food and also finger draws in the cages, first signs the birds are taking it well. A really good day out apart from the rain, good thing is Mick and his lovely wife Kay always make you so welcome.

All the firework displays seem to have been and gone with no problems regarding birds. Every year I make a point of extending lights and radio on till just past midnight to be sure, just remember new
years eve!! Weather very changable cold winds and rain, temperature at night is dropping.

As the birds are still using the outside flights a fair bit i only let them out till about 3pm as the nights are closing in, damp and dark by 4pm and it's the worst time to loose birds that get chilled outside.

All pairs seem to be going well, weather has changed with a fair bit of rain and now it's time to start closing birdroom windows and door a little early at nights.

Had top change on hen as she looked a bit off colour as she is a good
young hen , not worth the risk.
Have started all breeding pairs now on soft food each evening so they
get use to it.