Budgies:
I decided to purchase three aviary budgies. My family gave me the aviary for my birthday last November, thinking it would be ideal for my hand raised cockatiel. I sometimes have my cockatiel outside in a cage(his home) with me, otherwise he has his home in a room and has free access out of it during the day. A hand tamed bird would not be suitable in such an aviary. The thought was great but I think these types of aviaries look good and are therefore a good sale product for stores but they are impractical. Tall ones do not really suit birds who need the width more so they can spread wings and move about etc. It will have to suffice for the moment so any thoughts on improving what I have done for budgies so far is appreciated.
Thought budgies would be great for a beginner and I have happy memories of family having budgies such as my Great Aunty Nella who was 96 last November. Bought them from a breeder who owns a local pet store. Only had them a couple days and when putting in a wattle to the aviary, the little girl named Olivia flew off. My grand daughter Jasmine aged 8 whom I currently have 2 days and one night each week during school holidays had named her Olivia.
The other 2, are a deeper blue male (I hope) I named Bluey (so original NOT) and the greeny one is named Blossom. I had no idea there were so many variety of colours and if experienced breeders can inform me on the correct names for my coloured birds I would appreciate it. I am hoping they are a male and female as stated.
I have moved the feed bowls up higher as was concerned the budgies were not eating. I put in tiny pieces of apple cut up (no apple seed which is toxic for them) and some broccoli but they do not appear to have eaten any. As I was worried I got a small container of seed and sat it above the box that is in the aviary which my husband made for me. They seem (well I have seen Bluey) there and both of them fly to the bottom of the aviary and pick, though not sure if that is too good health wise for them? I have done a lot of research but have so much to learn. Found a great Budgie forum
so that has been helpful. Be better once I can post pics there. The cockatiel forum is much easier for posting pics(for dummies like me, anyway :) Both forums have great people on them and is very informative. I also Love looking at pics of birds and their housing. Would eventually love to breed. I have not put in a nest box because I believe it is best to do that once they are at least one year old. These ones I think ar eonly a couple of months old. Opinions please?
Babies:
We have had two more alpacas give birth. Vanilla Ice, a white female had her first baby, a son I named Harry. He is quite a small boy for his age, though quite healty and will make a good pet. Harry's dad (sire) is Iceman, our multiple show winner white stud male. He also fathered the female cria (alpaca baby is a cria) born recently to Mai Tai, a solid black girl. Kim picked the name of Ice Lass for her. Her colour is light fawn. ">
The colour on the top of the alpaca is fawn, though she just looks like she has rolled in the dirt! She is looking like a terrific little girl and will eventually be part of our breeding program as will Ice Star. We are currently waiting for a couple more cria due any day now.
Babysitting: I pick Jasmine up from her mum's (My daughter Melanie) work on a Monday and Melanie collects her after work Tuesday. Last Tuesday we went ten pin bowling, thanks to a voucher Melanie gave me. Forgot to take any pics but here are a couple pics from the previous week when Jasmine and I went to the local mini golf.
Jas and I have also flown a kite, made a cake, done gardening and done some craft. Today we cleaned the rabbit cage, Jas helped with topping up drinking water for alpacas , we made chocolate truffles and polished nails! Right now I am having the chance to write whilst she is playing lego. The other half is down in the shed making parts for his wooden toys. He used to make them years ago and is now doing it again, as well as a few other things but that is another story.
See pics of Goldie, the sateen rabbit. She goes in her litter tray and is a well behaved rabbit! My friend Maree breeds angora rabbits and has sold them here in Tasmania and sent them to the mainland as well. She did a few sateens but decided against continuing the breeding program with them and gave this one to me. 
Bali: Well the good news is we have booked flights, along with our friends Rog and Thel to Bali in June for ten days. We got a cheap Jetstar flight so probably wont be that much fun travelling with them internationally but beats staying home in the school hols when it is freezing cold here in Tasmania. Our friends have been to Bali, though that was back in 204 and we have never been there. We will have someone looking after the animals, though Maree will probably rabbit sit at her place and I will ask a friend who has cockatiels to bird sit mine at their place. Anyway, that is a little while down the track. So now have to save for the accommodation and some spending money for the trip!
In brief: We hosted a small wedding reception here at our place. My son is being married in April and has known Kathryn since they were 15. They both turn 28 late this year. Her family have always made us feel part of theirs and so when I heard Andrew, Kathryn's brother was looking for somewhere to have a small wedding reception I offered and they accepted. Andrew and his Chinese born (now wife) met in Tas as she is studying here and they married some time ago in China. They then decided to have a civil service here and a small get together afterwards.
Pictured are Andrew and Emma cutting the cake (no budgies in the aviary then) and a lovely photo of my grand daughters all dressed up at the wedding reception, Jasmine and her little sister Lily.
Baby: This time human one..Andrew and Emma are expecting a baby in March so yesterday I was at Emma's baby show which was organised by Kathryn. They didnt want Chloe in the way, their golden lab so son Peter arrives at our place and leaves Chloe with Kim (his dad, my hubby) whilst he, Andrew, Adam (mate of Peter and other son to us) and Sam (younger daughter's partner) all went and played tennis. Kim was left with three dogs. Our two dogs certainly were tired after having Chloe visit for most of the day!
Pictured is Lily at the baby shower with all the pretty presents!
Saturday before last we went to Launceston as we were invited to a 'shed' warming party. Friend Al and his fiancee had bought a house and then put up a very nice shed to be mostly used as an entertainment area. The theme was Hawaii, see us dressed for the event. It turned out to be a surprise wedding but we had a secret suspicion this may be the case. We are very happy for them both. (They are both a widow and widower: Ange, Als' wife who lost her cancer battle is mentioned in previous ramblings on here.
Better dash and tend to the animals:)
Shell
