Aussie Finch Forum

Pictorella wrote:I'd be keeping an eye on those butcherbirds. I used to breed Zebras in cabinets set up in the garage. Everyday I'd open the roller door which was at the opposite end of shed. one day a Grey Butcher killed 3 Zebs. Once it knew where there was an easy food source he would return daily despite the guards I had put in place. The news soon spread to the Pied Butcher community and they also tried their luck daily. They had no dramas flying 5m into the shed, brave and cunning sods.

yep, that would kill it for me I double wired the zebs cage, and half enclosed it when it was outside. It didn't stop the harassment, and the birds are still flighty after the experience.

I feel for ya,

Before I had aviaries and back when I was renting all my birds were in similar cages.

Only the zebs bred and everything had a go at the birds! Butchters, maggies, cats and even the mother in law (thats a whole separate post).

They look good and the cages seem spacious enough though I agree with the above comments re sunlight and shelter.

I have enclosed the top part, so that the nest boxes are covered, giving them privacy. Not much else I can do for them for now.

Perhaps put a 3rd nest box on the side furtherest from the roller door and increase the cover down that side? And another cage of a similar or larger size is always good. Good luck.
LML

I'd buy another one of those cages and join them together. Cheap and easy.

thanks, good suggestions

...and the brick backdrop. It clashes. Go a neutralish mid toned grey...perhaps with a violet bias.

...and yes. more room. but it is lovely. just being picky. Like the fru fru on the top shelf.

A butcher bird flew into the garage whilst i was in there, and landed on the front of the gouldians cage. I have covered the cage in small bird wire, looks ugly, but hopefully does the job. I put two extra nest boxes in, down under the other 3, and the birds showed immediate interest. They were even peeping in whilst I was covering the cage in wire, they seem really keen

How the Goulds going?....any chick's

Butcher birds and hawks....had them both attack my avairy...simple solution set up the high pressure hose and hit them with it....for some reason they never came back....I guess they dont like getting smashed with cold water

An all wire cage is a difficult home for a finch. No privacy from prying eyes. Having the sides and back blocked out with timber rather than wire will solve the problem.
Having the water vessel/feeding area blocked off with a privacy screen, be it a sheet, a towel or something else, will help the birds to feel like they have somewhere to be at piece.
Having the nest boxes setup with privacy from all sides will help substancially with breeding attempts/interest and overall results. You may have had success and that is great, however with a few more tweaks you will increase your overall results.

Just my opinion, although opinions are worth their weight in gold if they make sense to you.