ENDING up with 30 parakeets happened by chance. My beloved greys, Artha and Casper, arrived 25 and 24 years ago. I was experienced with dogs, cats, horses, poultry and children. Birds were a revelation. We built a 50ft × 20ft (15.2m × 6m) aviary with a pointed roof 14ft (4.2m) high. I made a lot of mistakes.
I bought a second-hand shed and put a pair of rescue Timnehs inside. Word spread that I had space available. Various unwanted parakeets were offered. I accepted an aged PoW and two others. One was a young red rosella cock, who cried incessantly for a mate, I imagine. I gave him to a breeder who had a spare hen and the couple immediately bonded, laid four eggs and raised four chicks. A
