FeedingMy seed is the standard budgie mix from Maxi Seeds (sourced through our club).The mix is 50% Canary and 50% mixed millet. Birds always have access to hulled oats and grey striped sunflower.
In addition to the seed mentioned above, breeding birds get a daily vegetable, oat and sunflower mix. The mix consists of silverbeet, grated carrot and corn kernels (I use frozen corn). I add to the vegetables (about 2/3 of a 5 litre ice cream container) and 2 tablespoons of E-Powder (Rob Marshall product - see Links Page). To the vege mix I add approximately 150gms of hulled oats and 50gms of grey striped sunflower. The oats and sunflower are coated with The Good Oil (Passwell product - see Links Page) and allowed to stand for 30 minutes before being mixed with the vegetables. The mix is fed in a container lids that are approximately 80mm in diameter. Pairs with chicks get a "heaped" lid full and other pairs get a "flat" lid full. Chicks that have fledged but have not made it to the flights are fed this mix as well as the seed mix. Any leftovers are fed to the young birds in the flights. Adults and young birds in the flights are fed something green daily. Depending on the season, it could be silverbeet, seeding grasses, rose cuttings, milk thistle or lucerne. Medicated Pigeon Grit is always available. |
WaterMy water does not get changed as regularly as some people do. I use AviClens or MultiClens (1% chlorhexidine) to keep the water "clean".
Vitamin B12 mix is always part of the water regime. I use raspberry cordial plus B12 one week and a vitamin D3 enhanced vitamin supplement plus B12 on the alternate week. I use "nipple" type drinkers in the flights and "fountain" drinkers in the breeding cages. MedicationAs a rule, I try not to use a lot of medication. I prefer to let the birds build up a natural resistance and strong immune system. I believe that the very open flights contribute to developing a hardy stud.
Ivermectin is used to control most internal and external parasites. Babies are treated when they leave the nest and all birds are treated annually. Baytril tends to be a bit of a "go to" antibiotic for birds that look a bit off and seems to do a good job.
To this point, I have not had an outbreak of coccidiosis and have not used any coccidiosis treatments. Most visitors find this hard to believe given the open flights that I use. Maybe that is the trick? All birds are treated annually with turbosole to prevent canker. I am using for the first time Dr Rob Marshall's 45 day doxycycline treatment for sub-clinical psittacosis. The birds seem to have responded well with a visible and audible increase in activity. I will know in a few months if it has a positive effect on fertility. There is a link to Rob Marshall's website on my links page. 2012 National Winning Texas Clearbody. Waiting for breakfast and "digging in" with his hen.
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