Hey, from Texas

[loz]

Hi Jane.
Welcome to the forum.
Cheers,
Loz.

[flywhoaman]

Thanks for the advice, Finchbreeder. I was told that the Stars were flighty and that the Bengos (new term for me... but totally get it) would be good to help ensure hatchlings... and I was warned to keep the Zebras away from the others because I knew they were more aggressive. I am heeding your advice, since I am awaiting the remainder of my finches and only have the 3 Zebras; I will make the mixes as you advise.

I am a recent widow (for the second time, mind you) and live on a ranch with lots of horses, sheep, dogs that guard them, soon to add cattle and you would think that I have enough to do without adding finches. I have this creeping feeling, however, that I, too, am going to become a finch addict. I don't have television, THAT is a waste of time, and watching these birds is already starting to become addictive. I really shouldn't be surprised though as I have studied ornithology extensively here in the States as an undergraduate in a naturalist program. That said, I LOVE reading about what other birds are causing you problems in outside aviaries, looking them up, to find a whole range of Australian birds I knew nothing about.

I have been to Europe to study (landscape architecture) but I have always dreamed of visiting Australia. One of these years, I will make it.

[USAFinch]

Hi Jane,
I live in Houston & have raised all kinds of finches here for almost 20 years- will be happy to give any pointers that you may need raising them in our climate. This is a wonderful format for advice & you're in good company

[flywhoaman]

Ha! Thanks for the response, USAFinch. We aren't that far apart so I will welcome your advice, too! It is only 24F here in the Hill Country today, probably won't go above freezing, so my planned aviary is going to be an inside one. It gets too hot in the summer here,unless you have misters, (especially in the latest drought) and definitely too cold in the winter. Do you hang grasses like many of these Aussies or, like me, are you currently raising finches in flight cages? My cages are large enough that I am considering gathering grasses and pinning them to the side of the cage where the selected nest has been made to make my birds (obviously caged for generations) "feel more at home".

I am so grateful to have found this forum!

[finchbreeder]

Here in Australia, cages the size you currently have are refered to as breeding cages/boxes. And are used for 1 pair of birds, or a pair each of 2 different types of birds.
LML

[flywhoaman]

That is exactly my plan, FInchbreeder. Two pairs only. In the meantime, I am designing an aviary which will be where they will ultimately reside, except for the breeding birds that need more privacy. I will still be using those flight cages for them. I consulted a breeder here in the States about the density and this is what she recommended. Thanks for the advice!

[flywhoaman]

Finchbreeder... does your response indicate that you would NOT use any brush in a (considered small) flight cage? I was wondering if it would not help the more timid star finches for example. What I read about parrot finches, this would especially be true. Or not?

Just axin'.

[Rosco]

We love Texans.

Can't help you though. Just joined myself, pretty much know nothing and felt compelled to say that I've never met a Texan I didn't like...

[finchbreeder]

Tend to use lots of bushing in the avairys to encourage those that breed best by building their own nests in them, like the doublebars (owls) and stars to breed. But don't use it in the breeding box/cages, which are just fine for Gouldians, Zebs and Bengos, who are more box nesters (eg you put a box nest in for them) ((sorry aussie terminology/ breeding box in a breeding box)) and this allows you to choose which colours/types you wish to breed together in the boxs too.
LML