A Few Mules

[gnipper 5,945]

This is my first one off a dimorphic and I'm looking forward to seeing it moulted out.

Edited June 28, 2013 by gnipper

[wirral countryman 2,110]

Thought I'd update the thread,got 27 mules out now,mostly goldies but 7 linnets as well,lost 4 linnet mules last week as the hen stopped feeding at 2 days,but still plenty to hatch yet,a few pics,WM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cage full of fledged goldies and linnets

 

atb,WM

[fireman 10,774]

Your doing well WC and good to see some green food in those cages and your results show it's those little things that count ,how many hens you serving with one finch cock and have you bred straight goldies and linnets or are those mules as well?.

[mushray 246]

a credit to you pal'

[wirral countryman 2,110]

Hello Fireman,its only mules this year mate as I'm just starting out again after a break of some years,I grew up with birds as my dad was a birdman all his life,greenfoods are a necessary staple part of any diet,mine get fresh chickweed,dandelion,broccolli and even lettuce,they also get fruit on a daily basis along with soaked seed and eggfood,the cocks (finches) are run with 2 hens wherever possible and are randy little feckers,they can get a bit aggressive towards the young or sitting hens now and then so have to be watched carefully before feather pecking begins,next year I'm going to put a few aviaries back up and breed some pure finches outside,atb,WM

[fireman 10,774]

Well you've not forgotten the good things you were taught mate and cracking to see your having a good first year back at it,sad that so many bird keepers leave out the greenfood as the proof of the benifits of it sure can be seen on a few posts on this part of the forum . Keep the pics and posts coming and best of luck with the rest of the season ,

[DUKE NUKEM 23]

When will the birds stop breeding or will they continue until their separated

[fireman 10,774]

Once there body clocks suss the days are getting shorter is when there'll stop,some are different to others like some of mine have started to moult where as others are going to nest again but in general about september time it's all over apart from a few late chicks left to finish off but eggs have normaly stopped by then.

[wirral countryman 2,110]

 

When will the birds stop breeding or will they continue until their separated

The birds that are on eggs or young will be left to rear them now before the moult and I will not be putting anything else together now,some birds when they start moulting will abandon nests leaving chicks to fend for themselves,its easier to finish early,even the wild birds have not had as many nests this year with the winter dragging on,atb,WM

[j j m 6,481]

Look good mate

[bunnys 1,228]

Very nice wirral man ya neva lose it. Atb bunnnys

[wirral countryman 2,110]

A few updated pics,the goldie mules are all together now to moult out and the last of the eggs,4 goldie mules hatched on thursday and so thats it now,31 goldie mules and 9 linnet mules,not bad for the first year back but now to see whats cocks and hens,there are a few carrying the white so it'll be nice to see how they colour up,atb,WM

 

 

 

 

I'll take some better pics this week to try and show the ones that have colour on them and some of the linnets.

[fireman 10,774]

Brilliant and well done mate,fingers crossed for you there's some nice cocks for you and you also did well with the linnet mules,keep them pics coming for sure

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Awesome pictures!

[patterdalejoel 669]

another silly question....does it matter what breed or type the hen is? does it make a difference or is it just a bit of a preference to what shape you like your mules?