Breeding TCPFs

[Jayburd]

hi all
My TCPF has been calling, singing, checking out nests and in general acting as if he wants to breed.
I know I'm getting a hen within the next 6 months (depends on Matt being able to come down or me being able to go up), so how would he react to a new hen in there? would he attack here like RFPF's do when mating? if that's the case I'd have to separate her to give her some calm-down time. I would like her o be with the male as soon as possible so she doesn't get lonely, which I found to be a big problem in my red faces years ago.

Also, he seems to like my home-made flowerpot nesting boxes. I thought TC's always nested in brush??? wouldn't it be nice to be able to breed them first time... ok calming down now
what do people think?
Jay

[dano_68]

Hi Jay,

firstly, mine always build nests in boxes or baskets - I have never had them build in the brush or show any interest in it.

The cock birds are even more vigorous towards hens then RFPF, so I would keep her in a smaller holding cage for quarantine.

I would put the cock in there with here after a few days. He should settle down and just bond.

If however he tries and chases her and mate then get him out! lol

TCPF males will mate with a rubber duck if you let them, but don't get too worried about him chasing the hen around.

Cocks usually give up the chase before the hens does. Mind you, as with all PF species, there is nothing delicate about how the cockbird eventually mates with the hen.

That's when you just have to look the other way and ignore them, otherwise you may think he is trying to kill her! lol

ps. I have 3 new hens right now, so I need some cocks! Strange but true. But they are too young (3 months) so I will not introduce new cockbirds for at least another 3 months, but more likely 6. Hens can be ready to breed from as young as 6 months but I wait until they are 9 months. Most other species is 12 months!

[Matt]

Mine have also never nested in anything but boxes.

Not sure if I agree on tri-colour cocks being more aggresive to their hens then red faced though. I would consider them about the same. They certainly aren't as bad as blue faced in that regard.

Dano, I too have a surplus of hens at present. Out of the last 6 young ones that have coloured up, only 1 is a cock. Have 4 more in the nest at the moment so maybe a couple of cocks there.

And Jay, once you get wire on the aviary I'll make sure you get your hen.

[VR1Ton]

Seems to be the trend at present, 2 cocks, 4 hens here, normally can't give a cock away, even noticed Graham Bull has extra hens available aswell.

[Jayburd]

wow, I also noticed a predominance of hens at the bird sale must be something in the water
Thanks guys, I had no idea they were that aggressive, I thought they were the least aggro of the group
Really???? I have always heard they never nest in boxes....
OK thanks dano, will do ;)

[SamDavis]

My pair have built in brush attached to the wall. They currently have chicks and are the first at the termites each morning. I only have one pair and only got them in January so mine may not be typical of the species. My cock is much less aggresive to the hen than the blue faced.

[Matt]

Just to clarify Jayburd, the cock is only ever aggressive with his mating ritual to the hen. I have never seen any aggression at all to other species.

[dano_68]

Just to clarify Jayburd, the cock is only ever aggressive with his mating ritual to the hen. I have never seen any aggression at all to other species.

lol - ummm, tell that to my Gouldians, RFPF, and Golden SS, but on the other hand the little bully wont pick on any other finches that stands up to him, like my Ruddies, Cordons, Melbas etc. lol

And everyone, I for one am so very glad to hear there is a surplus of hens! For years they were so hard to come by, this is great news!

[Jayburd]

awesome