This page shows what's going on in my birdroom throughout the year. Click on the months below to see what's been happening or click here to take you to 2008.

November 2nd

Once again I have just returned from another business trip to Holland, this is another quick update from the "goings on" with my Fawns that  are with Steve Nesbitt of snaviaries.

The photo on the right shows the first fledgling sampling millet sprays.

The photo below shows that the hen has started laying the next round of eggs. Unfortunately Steve will not be able to dedicate the space in his birdroom for another round due to his own breeding programme due to start next month.....it's a shame because these eggs will probably be fertile.

Millet sprays are very often the first seeds young Java's sample for themselves...as this demonstrates!!!

November 8th

I've been really busy over the last couple of weeks and I've been unable to update as often as I'd like.

Steve Nesbitt emailed a photo (November 6th) showing the latest on the Fawn's he's bred for me, as you can see here, both birds are now in the cage. They will be ready for separation in a week or so.

The parents with their two fledglings (one on the perch, the other on the floor).

November 22nd

The last two weeks have , once again, been extremely busy at work...hence the lack of updates.

Today I have separated the young from my second Agate pairing. Last week I removed the second round of eggs and took them to a JSSUK member to foster for me.

I also fostered out the second round from my first Agate pairing, to another Agate breeder (JSSUK member) based in the West Midlands, good news received from him today...3 Agates have hatched so far!!!

There is no breeding activity in my birdroom now as I intend to revamp my cages in preparation for my next breeding programme.

The photo on the right shows my "quiet" breeding cages.

Please Note: Updates will continue to be slow for the next month as I will shortly be purchasing a new PC AND I'm changing my ISP...so I'm sure things won't go to plan...let's wait and see!!!

November 29th

Another brief update....

Last Saturday (November 25th) I drove up to Grantham, Lincolnshire, to visit my good friend Steve Nesbitt to collect my Fawns that he very kindly bred for me. They produced only two youngsters but I'm not too fussed as they were first time parents. They did produce a second clutch of nine eggs, with at least five being fertile. Unfortunately Steve was unable to let them breed again as he needs the space for his own breeding programme.

I re-iterate what I mentioned on November 22nd, that updates will continue to be slow for a while. I'm having problems with my new ISP and they seem to be "dragging their heels" on a few technical problems.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------This Fawn hen, pictured right (a different hen to the one Steve had) , had to be caught up this evening as her foot was tangled in some "fluffy" bi-product of Hemcore.

This is the third time I have come across this since using Hemcore. I have noticed that occasionally there is, what can only be described as, small clumps of sheep's wool or something very similar found inside the Hemcore bag.

I have always noticed it in every bag I have purchased but I thought I'd leave it in as the Java's often used it for nest building.

I will now remove it in the future as it can wind very tightly around the bird's feet making it very difficult to remove and the only way to get it off is with a very sharp craft knife...and a very steady hand!

The hen was very easy to catch and didn't look too well. I think the stress of the ordeal has contributed to this.....hopefully tomorrow she will have perked up.

December 3rd

The Fawn hen, mentioned in the last update, has shown no real signs of improvement so I set up the hospital cage and put her in it.

Hopefully I will see her perk up in 24 hours.

If I get the chance I will update tomorrow.

I've had a couple of hours spare this afternoon so I began the "revamp" to my birdroom. My plan is to turn these three cages into two large breeding cages.....but I will also have the option to open it up into one large flight cage to house next years young.

       

These are the three single breeders that have the lights in.

1st Step



All of the wooden frames have been removed to make way for the new ones.

 

2nd Step



Here are the new frames screwed and fixed to the existing cage.
These two cages will measure 3ft x 2ft x 2ft and when opened up will make one large flight cage measuring 6ft x 2ft x 2ft.

You can see in this photo that I have fixed the front rail considerably higher than before. This will allow me to make the litter drawers 2 1/2" deep.

The reason for opting for deeper drawers is to avoid the problem in the photo below.



Currently my drawers approximately 1" deep and, as you can see here, the Hemcore gets messed around in the cage which makes cleaning out very awkward. A 2 1/2" drawer should assist in making the clean out a lot easier.

Doesn't seem much for two hours work....but it's a start!!!

I'll keep you posted as I go!
 

December 4th

The Fawn hen mentioned yesterday seems more lively today so I'm going to leave her in the hospital cage until tomorrow evening. Hopefully this spell in the sick bay will get here back to normal.

December 6th

Bad news today!....I found the Fawn hen dead on the cage floor this evening.

When I got home from work yesterday she seemed to have perked up in the hospital cage so I gradually lowered the heat (over an hour) and put her back in the stock cage.

This morning, before work, I went in to check on the birds and she seemed fine......I used her this season and she has produced some nice young so I will keep a hen back for myself.

December 25th

Merry Christmas to you!!!

Apologies for the lack of updates over December but there is not too much going on in my birdroom this month due to a very busy period at work which has meant me bringing work home.

During the Christmas week I hope to advance and complete the new flight/stock cage as started on December 3rd.....watch this space!!!

Once again, a very Merry Christmas wherever you are in the world and I hope you have a happy new year!!!

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