Parrot finches.. No win

[Tiaris]

Agree with finchman re wet floors & parrotfinches' susceptability to worms & coccidia especially if wet floors are an issue in your aviary.
Given this, I would avoid any organic mulch on the floor as it will hold moisture and allow fungal and other nasties to proliferate as it begins to break down & becomes soiled with bird droppings - bad combo. Inorganic floor covers such as coarse sand or fine gravel would be less hazardous.
Don't know which PF you have but all PFs are definitely warm weather breeders so I'd put them out to breed only as the spring weather is obviously warming up - forget the calendar, just go by what's going on outside.
You have them very highly stocked for a colony of parrotfinches aimed at breeding. At this rate when any breeding interest does commence your hens will be under immense pressure and stress by permanent harassment by the cocks & further losses are likely. With your aviary I'd recommend 2 cocks & 3 hens.
Good luck.

[Myzomela]

I agree with Tiaris.

Organic substrates ( eg mulch) + moisture= disaster waiting to happen. Looks great but potentially causes too many problems IMO.

[gomer]

Bad luck with your loss.Thats serious loses in a short time.

The only way I could stop my B/F from breeding at the moment is by separating them.Which I dont like to do.Too many birds to separate and keep track of is my problem But i will do it only to give a suspect hen a rest from the cock bird.I keep them as a single pr per aviary, As mentioned you need to keep an eye on the hens this way,as they can get run down a bit by the cock birds,If this happens remove the hen for a rest you will know if she is run down. Tail feathers over ruffled and missing and generally poor flight caused by the loss of feathers and weakness.A few weeks rest and the hen is normally fit as a fiddle again. I also agree that they can suffer easily from damp unhygienic conditions So a well drained floor is important to them more so than most finches. If you want to take no chances and have the resources the previous three posts are the ideal way to go.

[Mickp]

funny to hear others mention PF's as being warm weather breeders.
My birds are more prolific during winter. Night time temps here for the past few weeks have been between 0C & 5C.
Daytimes 12C to 16C.

[Diane]

I have two pair BFPF in two separate aviaries, one pair have one fledged young and seem to be working on a second clutch, the other pair have babies in the nest, they must be due out soon ans they are making quite a racket when being fed now.

[jusdeb]

So is mulch alright in an aviary with good drainage ?

Dont want to spread my lot if its no good seeing that I want Blue face PFs in the same aviary .

Sheesh its hard isn't it ?

[toothlessjaws]

i personally find coarse mulch a great way of keeping the top layer of aviary substrate dry and i have never had drainage problems.

however my aviary is fully roofed and i have around half mulched and the other half coarse sand which i purposefully avoid watering.

[shox]

deb, i wouldnt,
Instead of wasting make a cylindrical hanger and put the tea tree inside.

[jusdeb]

Thanks Shox ..gee its hard to know whats right sometimes with these birds .

[Slick]

You guys are legends good to spread your wisdom.. I lost another bird arrrrr . I feed my birds 6 course meals May til Aug. Give them medicine the usual . But really think it's been a very cold winter & I do live just near MT dandenong.well that's what I hope that killed them:(( iv now put my plastic cover down to half way so the floor can dry quicker. And iv noticed a big difference floor drying.. I will tomorrow separate my PF.. Red & sea green. Take boxes out in both avairys. Like I see that best to keep small numbers in pairs. I'll keep sea greens together 2 pairs & 2 pairs in other.. 6 course meal I feed my birds in winter is ( corn. Leb cucumber .egg & biscuit. meal worms.blue finch mix & sprout. .. ) Ed it's not everyday they get a big meal twice a week