Starting the next step

[Greg41]

Back in October I built my first avairy, 5.30mts by 1.8 by 1.8 without knowing much at all about keeping finches. I put in various types
of nests/perches etc and then put in the birds.While none of the original birds have died there has been no success at raising young, they
build nests and lay eggs but never fledge any which is stressful for us and I guess the birds as well.I have just bought a second avairy
2by 1.8 by 1.8 and hope to soon get another of the same size, the size is dictated by the room and shape of our yard.
This is a list of the birds we have in our biggest avairy.
1pr Painted
1pr Stars
2pr African Fire
1pr Canaries
3 young as yet uncoloured Gouldians which will be matched to 3 more yet to be purchased when coloured
I also hope to buy at the Finch Auction next sunday.
1pr D/B
1pr O/b.
My question is, which will be the best way to split the above amongst the 3 avairies.
All input will be much appreciated.
Cheers Greg

[garymc]

Greg,

Reallistically I would think all those birds would do ok as they are now in the one aviary - however thinning them out certainly wouldn't hurt. All up that would be 10pr of birds. Apart from separating the fires into individual pairs and even the gouldians if so desired any combo would probably be ok - you have a pretty compatable collection, on paper at least.

Personally - Big aviary Double Bars, Stars, Painteds, fires and gouldians
new smaller aviary ob, fires, goulds
other aviary canaries and pair gould

but there are probably 100 different combos that would all in theory be ok.

Any chance of a few pictures of how the aviary is currently set up? Also does the birds complete diet consist of? The answers to these may help
in trying to solve some of your problems

Cheers
Gary

[jusdeb]

I agree you have a pretty good bunch of birds there so any combo should work however if you get d/bars just watch them because I found mine to be such sticky beaks that they drove birds out of their nests ....they didnt mean any harm they are just pains in the bums , having said that I did have 6 and it may never happen to your birds and you cant resist loving them , they are gawjus little birds.

[Diane]

You can always write an article for the newsletter with some pics about your aviaries

[Greg41]

Thanks for replys, I think my main mistake was the way I set up the avairy, nests and perches to close together. Birds would build a nest and
other birds were perching too close which caused a lot of agro. When the other 2 avaires are set up I will take everything out
and set each one up to suit the birds in them.
I think the food supply while not perfect should have been sufficient, Finch Mix always avaiable :seperate containers that had at various times
Aniseed Mix, buscuit mix, large and small meal worms,crushed shell and charcoal,sunflower, linseed and white millet seed, seeding grasses
and greens out of the garden.
Di, if you knew how long it has taken me to write this much you wouldn't want to be holding your breath waiting for an article
but when all is finished I will look at it.
Cheers Greg.

[flap]

Hi Bushranger, if it is any consolation we made the same mistake putting nests too close together, also not having any natural brush for them to perch/hide in or provide some privacy between nests. We are slowly rectifying things, with better results. Have fun setting up the new aviaries.

[Diane]

Di, if you knew how long it has taken me to write this much you wouldn't want to be holding your breath waiting for an article
but when all is finished I will look at it.

Im very patient

I think my main mistake was the way I set up the avairy, nests and perches to close together

I found I can place two nests touching each other as long as the openings face in different directions. So I have nestboxes that are back to back, two with back and side touching, even one on top of the other with the openings facing different ways.

double up nests.jpg

The nest second from the left has five emblema young just about ready to fledge.

[Greg41]

Went out to feed the birds this morning and lo & behold there are 2 just fledged A/F sitting on a perch, they are almost as big as the parents.
The other pair of A/F have also built a nest , so have the Painted and the Stars are still trying [ very trying] so all my plans of reorganising
the avairy will have to go on hold. The photos of your nests gives me more options, thanks Di.
Cheers Greg

[finchbreeder]

Bushranger, always remember that instead of re arranging completely, you can take a nest that is not being used and too close to others and just re locate that nest further away. While leaving those that are working. Or just add a few more in different locations. I have found trial and error is a great teacher. Still use it after all these years, because different combinations work with differnet birds and personallities.
LML

[TheChemist]

All sounds good dad, bit jealous about the African Fires as you have known i've been trying for years to breed mine, used to lay and sit but nothing. Even added in a new pair to try and spice things up before the poor tired female moved on. The only thing i'm having success with at the moment now my Painted baby and Ghouldian baby are grown is Rats. Have rats, rats and more bloody rats. They love Talon, Ratsak and the Green waxy blocks. They're conscious of the two rat traps, only thing that works at the moment is the Possum trap. One or two a day everyday.
Will come and check out those babies and the new watering system though.
All the Best, Rhett