TRI COLOURED PARROTFINCHES

[Matt]

Sorry for the loss of the young ones. My last tri-colour nest ended the same but mine only hatched out a single chick. They fed it until about 5 days before fledging then the cock bird wanted to nest again and wouldn't leave the hen alone. It appears to be a common thing with the parrot finch family. I've read that it can be caused by overfeeding mealworms because of too much protein. My young ones are 2 weeks old now and I've just started to see the cock chassing the hen again so I'm a bit worried they will suffer the same fete. At least with parrot finches, they will go straight back to nest and have another go. Hope the next clutch is more successful for you.

[Diane]

I've read that it can be caused by overfeeding mealworms because of too much protein.

I will keep that in mind, my RTPF have just got eggs in the nest. How often should mealworms be offered? I have OB's with young and they dont seem to bother with them very much, but they are always fossicking around on the floor. The RTPF was in the bowl within seconds of me putting it down. The BFPF must eat them but never when Im there watching.

[AMCA26]

3rd Chick is still alive, but have been talking with dad today and we are on the same wave that it mayb the parents are not geting enough seed as i have a seed hopper with 3 compartments or rows which ever and they mayb being kect away from the seed buy other birds which i have 2 other pairs of Tris, 1p Zebs, 1p Gouldians but as dad said you dont see anything when you are not watching and other birds mayb keeping them away.
So last night before dark took out the hopper and put in an open tray with seed and today the young one seems to have a full crop compared to yesterday when i looked before changing the hopper out. So this mayb 1 off my problems.
And yes with mealworms i believe that is true but my Tri Colours, Longtails only get 10 worms and 10 only no more no less every second day. We learnt that mistake early in our years with Blue Face Parrots to many meal worms.

[finchbreeder]

Diane, Orange breasteds being very small birds like very small live food. The best results ever were the year I had a bag of seed with weevils, fed it in a seperate bowl as live food and did those Orange breasteds breed. Also fruit fly trap where they can catch their own seems the go for lots of the smaller finches.
LMNL

[AMCA26]

Had been speaking to a few people over the last week on how they breed most of their finches and all came back as better results with 1 pair to an aviary instead of a colony. So last week i split up my 3 pairs of Tri Colours, 1st pair which are my originals have 5 eggs which i think i interuptered them as was 4 eggs in other aviary no one sitting. And then on saturday i split up the other 2 pairs and by sunday lunch time 1 pair had built a nest and today the other pair in another run have built a nest in respected boxes. I cant believe it wether it was luck or both were looking at going but was no movement when they were all together.
So i have actually split up all my Cream and Fawn Hecks each into a seperate run.

[BOF33]

Had been speaking to a few people over the last week on how they breed most of their finches and all came back as better results with 1 pair to an aviary instead of a colony. So last week i split up my 3 pairs of Tri Colours, 1st pair which are my originals have 5 eggs which i think i interuptered them as was 4 eggs in other aviary no one sitting. And then on saturday i split up the other 2 pairs and by sunday lunch time 1 pair had built a nest and today the other pair in another run have built a nest in respected boxes.

AMCA26, How have you gone breeding the Tri-colours, four years on?

I have a small colony of 2x Cock birds to 3x hens, with 1 pair on eggs atm.

Interested to see whether you persevered with the breeding of these finches?

Did you alter the nest boxes in any way to compensate for the hen leaving the nest at ten days?

[AMCA26]

No we did not keep going Birds of a Feather. Still have been talking to different people about them and may try again soon with dad.

[Spitfire]

Regarding your tri colours, next time you start again, try getting your pairs from a cold climate breeder, and then you don't have to worry about Heated boxes or any other nonsense.
Supply them with plenty of nesting material, including feathers and a good diet and you should not have any worries.

[BOF33]

No worries AMCA. I'll let you know my results. I wont be using heated nest-boxes. I don't know an electrician that is smart enough to heat a dozen nest boxes simultaneously!

[AMCA26]

Thanks Spitfire and no worries BOAF.