Heavens above. It is December already. The drought continues and so does the water restrictions here in Melbourne.
I have been busy getting the holding cages clean in readiness to do my annual stock take of the colony. I had neglected to keep the garden shed clean and the mice thought the empty holding cages made a great playground.
The moulting season seems to get later for my colony each year. They should be ready by the end of December. I will have to increase their protein.
I enjoy watching the colony sit quietly in the tree branches. They stay reasonably quiet as the changing of all their feathers (The moult) saps their energy. The young ones sit watching in earnest at the adult males singing.
Although it is the start of a new season (Summer) I don’t worm or medicate for air sac or spray for lice and mite until they finish the moult. Summer is always the exception, as normally I like to do the aviary management at the start of each new season. It is a convenient way to keep track of things.
I find the start of summer is a good time to check the aviary structure for any holes or weakness. A touch of paint here and there freshens it up. Especially the aviary wire. I have mine painted black to make it more see through. Boy the year just flies by too fast. I must be getting too old!
Good birding to you all...
