Be Careful What You Wish For

[Lady Tarheel]

Hi Sweet Feather

We usually take them about 7 miles from home (across town) and so far none have come back.

But these 3 were taken back to the exact location they came from which is a residential area. We felt they would be able to integrate back into their original flock and hopefully, mama and papa will recognize them.

You have a great day too.

[Lady Tarheel]

Our babies have grown up. We put the last six in the aviary Sunday and they spent their first night out there. We had gone to dinner with some friends and a bad storm came up which probably scared them but they were fine when we came home. The "littlest", Skip, weighed in at 288 grams yesterday when we brought him in to check on him and he can get on the high perches with the others. We have not fed them for three days and they are going down to the floor to eat with the original 12.

The 3 remaining foster babies and our "oops" baby are still in the large aviary with our pigeons that raised them. They can fly and have started socializing more - at least with the pigeons but definitely not us. Wild as all get out. Oddly, they are smaller than the babies we hand raised. We need to move them in with the other babies but right now the small aviary is at full capacity.

The original 12 are so sweet. Some are wilder than the others. We have about 5 that still swarm all over us when we go in the aviary. Also, in that group are some of the most beautiful ferals I've ever seen. There are two that are not checkers but are mostly black with grey markings unlike any I've ever seen. I hope to get pictures of them soon. They were in the group of the 4 babies that I first posted their pic. It's amazing how they change in looks as they mature. Our opal baby (we're keeping) is just as sweet as she is beautiful. We will be moving her in with the "keepers" as soon as she matures a little more. I don't want our older birds picking on her.

I am suffering from the empty nest syndrome. Their next step will be to release them, probably in a few weeks. Depends on them and the weather. We just don't release if they're still squeaking or if it is too hot or too dry.

[Lovebirds]

ALL OF THAT AND NO PICTURES?????

Just kidding. Sounds like you did a FANTASTIC job. Look forward to the pictures for sure........those little dark ones sound like dark checks, which is a color we see in the racing homers all the time. I especially want to see the little opal one again. I love different colors and we've had them all at one time or another but never an opal. That would take a certain mating I guess, which we don't have......

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Lady Tarheel

I am suffering from the empty nest syndrome. Their next step will be to release them, probably in a few weeks. Depends on them and the weather. We just don't release if they're still squeaking or if it is too hot or too dry.

hi Maggie,

I'm glad to hear the babies are growing up and graduating!

I know it is hard seeing them go, but you have done your utmost "bestest" to insure their survival and a happy and healthy life. ...and then again you never know when you will get more little sweeties.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for the update on this bunch. Sounds like you did VERY well with them and they are going to do well when released. I can just imagine that you're feeling the "empty nest" syndrome now, literally with all those pigeons out of the nest

Good luck, yes get pictures when you can, we'd love to see some of these unusual markings and colours. Also, let us know when and how the release goes when it's time.