Aussie Finch Forum

Only have stars and cordons sitting on eggs at the moment. This morning they did take a bit more and the faintest begging sounds. Will just have keep doing what I am doing. Trouble is I'm worried when I have to go out for day but will deal with it when the occasion arises. My husband thinks it's good they have to be fed every 1 1/2 hours as I cannot get to the shops and he likes that CAUSE I can't spend money.

Remind him about ebay ..that will take his smile away

Great pics lynn! Hope you do well with your cordons keep up the mealworms or lotsa eggfood. Let me know how you go Ive got some aswell there a top bird. Hows your red face parrots going?

don't forget - red cheeks give their babies get from their parents a mix about 95% seed, 5% insect food/other food and blue caps give 95% live food, 5% other food/seed but the babies do better when swapped

Hi Ben,
The Red Faced Parrot finches have not done anythink I only have 2 pairs. One pair built a nest in a breeding box was stuffed with so much it's a wonder she got in the nest. Layed eggs but nothing ever happened I am wondering if I really have two pairs, as you know all the birds I have are my original pairs I never get rid of a bird only the babies. I think maybe some of my birds are getting a bit old but I don't like spliting them up. Oranged breasted have only made nests nothing else. Only ones that breed have been my painted and Stars. I have moved the Cordons and Oranges Breasted to another aviary which only have painted I think they feel more comfortable away from the Red Parrot finches which are a bit to lively. If the Cordons hatched how many mealyworms will I give them a day, I am going to see if I can get mini ones this weekend. Do you mean egg and biscuilt mix or mashed boiled eggs? Sent you a PM about some stars.

Hi Lyn don't know if this may make it a little easier for you, but if you've got a hot pack and zap it till it's just warm and then make a little dip in it for them to sit in they'll find it easier to beg and will "trigger" each other. Also will stay warmer while you feed as I know how slow they are at this stage and they need to be warm to beg. Also if you just tap gently to simulate a parent landing on the nest this may help trigger their begging reflex. Sounds like you've done amazing though to get them through the first 24 hours and sorry to hear about your ungratefull escapee.

Thanks Redwing, I have them on a heating pad (it's the old dogs we put in his kennel for winter). They are keeping very warm but I will try your method also,they do beg alot louder now I started feeding them last Tuesday (5 days) I can see a difference in them. The biggest of the 3 does not beg very much and hardly takes any I have made a little nest with tissues which I change every time I feed them a soft cloth makes a little roof over them. When I move that cloth they start begging. They are ugly cute and really enjoy looking after them.

That sounds good Lyn have you got them in something on the heat pad eg a little cane basket or just sitting not contained in anything? They like to be all squashed up with something rigid to contain them not on something flat, as close as possible to how they would be in a nest. Also important for their hips. You've got the right idea by just covering them up loosley then as soon as you take the cover off you poke the first mouthfulls into the weakest one as the others will beg a bit longer. If you've got them this far though you must be getting enough food into them and their droppings will tell you. Love this stage as their eyes open and they start begging as soon as they see you.