Big Bird Singing "Happy Days Are Here Again"

Today, for the first time in two weeks, Big Bird is Singing because at last, the imports are over the hump and on the road to recovery! Indeed it is a HAPPY DAY!



In review of my four casualties and another breeder who lost three in his shipment, all but one were from the same breeder in Germany. Of seven from that breeder, this is the only survivor. Finally today, he is breathing normally for the first time in two weeks. Originally I thought it was a hen and put it in with the capped hen. Then I saw him feeding her and acting macho and later that afternoon he was exhibiting labored breathing. The capped hen the following day had the same symptoms.



The capped hen is looking great now! Her symptoms were never as bad as the male above whom she caught it from.



Mario, on top of the stack, sings to me every morning. When the table light comes on at 6:30, I see how far I can count before Mario starts singing. Today, I only counted to 2 and Mario was serenading me as I lay snuggled up in my bed. His hollow bell continues to be excellent as well as his hollow roll. He is also trying to bring a schockel laughing hoo hoo hoo but he has given me only one good flute duu duu in two weeks. Thinking about my other roller males, Mario is the best overall singer I have!! Perhaps in a couple of weeks, he will be making calls in hens cages in the aviary!

My good friend, Tony Schlott from Canada, has talked with Mario's breeder. Turns out two of the hens are his sisters and the best bird is not Mario but the one that I previously had on the top of the stack! Looks like I really hit the jack pot on the surviving birds!

Bottom bird still has not sang much but what I have heard is very good. I have found a few long feathers and the battle here is whether he is going to give me a full molt in about a month or if I can use his breeding hormones to block it.



The bird on the right was previously the top bird in the stack but it started having loose feathers in the flanks and not being so happy in the show cage and I think now the problem is he is a she! Moved her yesterday and she has tightened a bit but will watch her today as I might need to move her to her own separate tray... It is always good to separate birds at the first signs of stress as often just de-stressing will prevent them from getting sick. Why wait till afternoon, I think I will do it right now after I publish this blog.



Many of you know I am avid KU Basketball Fan! Last Wednesday, I went to Lawrence for Senior Night and took my Grandson, Kevin out to eat and to the final home game this season. For Christmas, my daughter Kellie gave me three sets of tickets to KU Basketball games and with all my recent bird stress with the imports, this last game was really special!



Beautiful Rhodendrum I photographed at the Wichita Lawn and Garden Show. Top photo Dendrobium orchid from the same show.