Birds......

Author
Discussion

SteellFJ

Original Poster:

793 posts

167 months

Thursday 2nd June 2016
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Well we have Fish, Cats, Dogs, Snakes etc etc so why not?

What birds do people own/keep? Budgies to Eagles and all in between. Hunting, pets or garden friends.

Don't own one myself but have always fancied having one but never been brave enough to commit and now with kids and an OH incapable of closing doors its not going to happen for some time.


Yertis

18,052 posts

266 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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Not birds as pets per se but I put up a feeding station in the garden last year and have become completely addicted to watching the birdies, it's like an aquarium except you're never sure what might rock up – greenfinches, woodpeckers, and other unusual creatures as well as a steady stream of sparrows, robins and blue-tits etc. Had a bloody great hawk of some kind sat on there a couple of weeks ago.

dingg

3,989 posts

219 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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had lots over the years

as a kid - kestrel (wanted one following the film kes) acquired one from a nest when lads used to do such things , used to shoot sparrows to feed it on , also when lads used to do such things.

also kept budgies for a while ,had fife, gloucester and border canaries for a few years then onto racing pigeons

started again with racing pigeons a few years ago, its dying out as a sport/hobby and really is hard work and takes up a lot of time , but I enjoy it in a masochistic type of way.

TheHangingJudge

818 posts

144 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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Have about a hundred birds, 10 different species, budgies my most numerous, new acquisitions are Lineolated parakeets and Bourkes parakeets both of which I am very pleased with. As you can probably guess I have a garden aviary. Mrs Judge, lack of DIY skills, and consideration for the neighbours limits further expansion but one day I have plans for big aviaries with parrots.

OP, obviously biased but garden aviary is the way forward…….

Gretchen

19,037 posts

216 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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Various Chickens and Ducks, always following me around/under my feet. So rewarding with fresh eggs every day. I sell these too and have regular customers. Duck eggs are divine.









And I've just collected these three (hopefully golden egg laying) 12 week old Sebastopol Geese.



Gretchen

19,037 posts

216 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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I've also just been given a 12' aviary...but this is going to be used as a Cattery!


SteellFJ

Original Poster:

793 posts

167 months

Tuesday 14th June 2016
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Thats some Flock you have going on...

Fresh eggs everyday would be good, the boy loves scrambled eggs.

Gretchen

19,037 posts

216 months

Tuesday 14th June 2016
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SteellFJ said:
Thats some Flock you have going on...

Fresh eggs everyday would be good, the boy loves scrambled eggs.
How old is he? You could get hold of an incubator and buy some fertile eggs - some breeds can be sexed at hatching if you only want hens. Let him incubate and hatch them, great learning experience. If a human is the first thing the chick sees it will be bonded. They'll be forever by his side/follow him. Then he can have a pet and free eggs to make you breakfast in bed with. Win win!



Einion Yrth

19,575 posts

244 months

Friday 17th June 2016
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Gretchen said:
How old is he? You could get hold of an incubator and buy some fertile eggs - some breeds can be sexed at hatching if you only want hens. Let him incubate and hatch them, great learning experience. If a human is the first thing the chick sees it will be bonded. They'll be forever by his side/follow him. Then he can have a pet and free eggs to make you breakfast in bed with. Win win!
Makes it very tough when you need them to be "coque au vin" or "duck in a lime sauce" though.

Ross350

24 posts

108 months

Friday 17th June 2016
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Gretchen said:
SteellFJ said:
Thats some Flock you have going on...

Fresh eggs everyday would be good, the boy loves scrambled eggs.
How old is he? You could get hold of an incubator and buy some fertile eggs - some breeds can be sexed at hatching if you only want hens. Let him incubate and hatch them, great learning experience. If a human is the first thing the chick sees it will be bonded. They'll be forever by his side/follow him. Then he can have a pet and free eggs to make you breakfast in bed with. Win win!
Have just done this with my four year old boy! 4 Pekin bantams incubated and hatched and he loves every one of them. Really hoping they do bond as you suggest as they'll be his to look after. Adds to the 2 khaki Campbell's, 2 aylesburys and 4 chickens we already have!

rapidpete

76 posts

283 months

Thursday 14th July 2016
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quick thread resurrection..
I give you the Worthing Spice Girls: Pepper, Chilli, Saffron and Paprika.
4 x young Goldfinches quickly abandoned by Mum Goldie after hatching so we had to step in smartish. They are 7 days old now, eyes wide open and always hungry..oh and they S**t for England. Next couple of days will see them standing up and flexing wings and a couple of days after will see me charging around collecting them from all the available perches they can find in the conservatory. They will become quite tame and return for feeding when called but it does take a while to overcome the excitement of freedom of flight.

happy to keep you posted if anyone is interested?

cheers

Pete

Gretchen

19,037 posts

216 months

Thursday 14th July 2016
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Wow. Well done for rescuing them and bringing them on. That must take some commitment. Have you a heat lamp? Who does the night shifts? Please provide more info, update and pics. I'm interested. Well done :-)



SteellFJ

Original Poster:

793 posts

167 months

Friday 17th March 2017
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Sorry i started this threat and then my PH usage disappeared of late.

The hatchling idea is a good one i might investigate but my main issue with that is the cat (he's rather partial to some birdy) and the lack of a large garden for a run as they grow. In time maybe.

I'd be happy with a nice clean all black Raven, something about these really appeals to me, like my cars I need them Black.