Madagascan weavers into it after only 4 days

[elferoz777]

I was fortunate enough to stop by some mates places on the way to the singleton sale.

It was there and the I was convinced I would get a pair of maddies.

Stunning looking birds...the male is like a red siskin on steroids.

I threw them in the mixed aviary as I was advised they are not aggressive.

I was told they will attack anything red but these also seems not to be the case as my diamonds and siskins are fine...in fact the guy I got them from keeps his with diamonds and both species breed.

Any how I threw them in on Sunday....no decapitated siskins or mutilated diamonds...So I have been monitoring them strictly the past few days and somehow missed the nest they were building.

I am 100% certain it is theirs based on the shape and the way it is strung to the branches in the aviary...I did note the female stripping the leaves from the tea tree at the nest site. This was only 30 mins of being released in the aviary.


I will post a picture soon and fingers crossed some eggs will follow.

I am pretty happy and its good to see all the november grass I scrounged on the side of the road at Cessnock is being put to good use!

If anyone has any experience with these guys please feel free to share.

I did research them before getting them but from what I have found all that I researched is not so accurate.

Nothing beats experience so please feel free to pass some on.

[E Orix]

I think the Mady Weaver is similar to the Aust. Blood some are placid and will cohabitate with all and others are just out and out murderers. just keep an eye on them.
You should be able to see the eggs through the nest entrance, they lay a light blue egg and generally hatch around 13 days+/-
Once they hatch then you must keep up the protein as the chicks grow from about 12mm to adult size in about 14 days.
From about day 10 give the nest a wide berth as the chicks do have a habit of jumping out of the nest and disappearing
If the birds were from the Singleton sale apparently they were of good quality, I am sorry I didn't go and have a close look at them.
Good luck and welcome to the world of Weavers and Whydahs.

[iaos]

I think there were three sellers with maddies at singleton.

Cheers Ian

[SamDavis]

Sounds promising. Good luck with them.

[arthur]

Agree with E orix . .

And the ones I had were of the aggressive persuasion, even in a large heavily planted aviary they wreaked havoc

Definitely keep an eye on them

[elferoz777]

I got them from Wagga Wagga

A breeder down that way was moving some at the sale.

I was lucky enough to pick my pair before hand.

A fellow Wollongong Finch club member also got a pair..they to have started a nest but have developed a dangerous hatred towards his diamonds.

Thanks for the advice. I will certainly keep an eye on them.

I am thinking my aviary dynamics are keeping them guessing rather than targeting other birds.

When I get my new aviary bank complete (still in progress) I will leave the large aviary I have now solely for the maddies I think.

Love their call and confident behaviour.

Here are some pics albeit poor ones.

[E Orix]

He looks like a good quality cockbird.
His body colour seems really deep red.
Does the red continue right to the vent, also has he got a good red saddle on his back as well.
Most serious Weaver breeders learnt from breeding Madagascar Weavers.

[elferoz777]

he has a bright red saddle.

The only part of him that is not red is the colourful wings.

I thought it would be a good progression for me to go from finch to weaver and I planned this birds arrival well even though I wasnt sure whether or not I would get them.

I have been told some of his nest mates were yellows and that he has a strong chance of producing yellow.

I am going to try to get two more hens for him as I have heard they do better with a few hens rather than single pairs.

[elferoz777]

Update

Found 2 eggs in the nest and the hen has started sitting.
they are inhaling meal worms and chicory.

I am going to add the aldi style sunflower soon which should servce them well.


Have noted the male eye balling everything that comes near the nest.

there is no aggressive reaction until one of the others lands in front of the nest....they then have about 1 second to move or be moved.


I have lost two birds since getting these.

I lost an adult gouldian hen...her usual nest site is not near the weaver nest and I could see no signs of homicide .


I then noticed a dead ruddy hen.


All the other birds seem fine and have no signs of ill health.

My siskins and Diamonds will give it to the maddies if they get too close to them and they usually win.

I am hoping that this harmony is maintained and that the eggs hatch out some nice red/yellow male birds