final decision bird wise:

[Jayburd]

So, I've come to a final conclusion, and here it is:

Here's a basic rundown of how it's going to work: I breed Painteds until I have bred enough to pay for RC cordons. then I breed Those until I have enough money for blue caps. simple? then I just do this with the other species, (for example in the same way ruddies, pay for spices). Then it gets a little bit more complicated. I plan to keep spices in my final set as well as my second set, so any money I get from breeding those will go and help to pay for other top-level birds. so therefore, I don't move up in sets, just bird by bird.

I'm trying to keep numbers down to a maximum of 8 pairs in the aviary. while this is still a lot for an aviary of my size, I think it ought to be alright. (by the way, currently the aviary dimensions are set at 3.5 x 2.5m and somewhere be=tween 2.5 & 2.7m high not including bricks at the bottom, but this is subject to change).

I'd also just like to mention I'm not expecting to be on the top set for at LEAST 5 years and probably a lot longer, but if it comes sooner I welcome it

Set 1:
1pr of Red painteds
2pr of Orange Breasts
2pr of Ruddies
1pr of RH GB PC Goudlians
1pr of Pied Red Faced Parrot Finches

Set 2:
2pr of Red Cheeked Cordons
2pr of Spice Finches
2pr of Saint Helena Waxbills
1pr of Green Singers
1pr of Long Tailed Finches

Set 3:
2pr of Blue Capped Cordons (on the rotational breeding project I mentioned some time ago)
Trio of Grenadier Weavers
2pr of Tri Coloured parrot Finches
2pr of Linnets (will have to enquire about these from the breeder seeing as I have had no reply from anyone here)
1pr (possible) of Black Bellied Crimsons. I'm not sure about these, but MIGHT try them out and see how they go.

anyone see any problems?

[jusdeb]

Nope sounds like a carefully thought out plan and a wise one at that .

[Jayburd]

thanks

[spanna]

Looks pretty good jay. Only problem I can foresee is that having 2 ruddy cocks in together may cause some pretty heavy bickering come breeding season...

[Jayburd]

hmm, yes thanks will figure something out.

[Jayburd]

actually, I might be able to collaborate with a few other breeders with these, and thus only need one pair to be able to sell unrelated pairs.

[Misso]

In threoy sounds good, but what if there's unexpected losses or failed breeding attemps? And also aviary space may be a problem if they all breed and in good numbers do you have space to hold the extra stock? I'd prefer 3-4 pairs in that size aviary, personly found better breeding results with lesser numbers of pairs. Will be intresting to see how your plan goes, sounds like you have put alot of thought into it, jarryd

[gomer]

Sounds like a plan,Stockings rates like you said are heavy,I would also look at four pr per aviary at that size.

[Jayburd]

I have thought about the unexpected loss thing Jarryd,
I will be doing everything possible to make sure they stay healthy, but of course you lose some eventually.I don't think I will make a particularly structured plan for this, as it all depends on what's around, and on the personality of the new bird.

as for breeding failure, if they have several failed attempts, then I guess I would either swap one bird for a different one, because the birds may not necessarily be compatible with one another as a breeding pair.

as for size, yes so would I, in fact 1pr would be ideal, but having a need for a mixed collection, and have it both aesthetically and breeding-wise-ly pleasing, that could be difficult to convince myself of
Plus there's my mother, who very much likes green singers nd longtails, and so since she's paying for the aviary, I feel I need to at least look at keeping some of her favourites which she has requested.

[shox]

Jayburd, if your that keen on having that many pairs, just have one pair of ruddies and one pair of star finches, they'll breed easily, compatible and more importantly get you the income you need.