Who Breeds Softbills ????

[HARVEY123456789]

Hi all just wanting some more first hand knowladge about pekin robins and splendid wrens , i would love to keep both breeds , are they hard to care for also are they compatable together any infomation of anyone who bred the or any other inscetivour birds please coment or pm me

thanks guys

[Brett]

Hi Harvey123456789,

You must have acres of room in your back yard to keep all your birds.

Bretto

[HARVEY123456789]

not to many i have scaled down a bit , so the horses have room heheh but were on just over 5

[natamambo]

Harvey get hold of Rosemary Huttons book http://www.birdkeeper.com.au/finch-book ... management.

It's an outstanding read, I've read mine dozens of times and each time I dip back in I learn or re-learn something.

[natamambo]

There's lots to keeping softbills, far more than space and species availability (re your other post). I know I recommended a great book for starters, but thinking more about it you really need to get some practice first. While I jumped straight into softbills without going via the insectivore finch route (against what many here advocated) I have nearly 40 years experience in keeping birds and had a fair idea of what I would be up against.

Start off slowly - get some finches that are omnivores (seed and insect) but that won't breed without live food. Once you have them breeding successfully then get some of the cheaper mainly insectivorous finches and then progress to softbills when the time is right. You'll get to learn who to buy live food from, how to grow your own (if appropriate), what cakes / softfood they like and what ones they don't and so on. While you learn at least the birds will still be healthy even if not in optimum condition.

I don't regret jumping straight in but it's amazing what you don't think of and what you miss even when you have related experience. For example, I couldn't work out why my mealworms were being consumed so much faster all of a sudden. I went from 15-20 a day per pair to 3 - 4 times that. Only when I saw a mealie climbing the side of different bowls did I work out what was happening, put the old bowls back in and hey presto, consumption went back to "normal". For seed eaters the bowl was almost irrelevant.

Softbills create hidden costs too - now when we go away even for a weekend I have to get someone to come and look after my birds whereas before all I had to do was make sure the flights had adequate seed and water. We're having Easter at home this year coz getting someone in to look after them didn't work out so the camping trip is off.

Create a dream and then build up to it, you'll get more satisfaction that way when you "get there". I love my softbills so much now that I'm thinking that in a year or two I'll go out of most of the finches and move over to more softbills (unlike you, I don't have 5 acres to keep both ). But I'm glad I didn't risk the birds' health by taking them on before I was suitably prepared and equipped.

[casehulsebosch]

I am with Natamambo.
You cannot just one day decide you want to go into softbills and make the change. It requires a different way of thnking on your part and there is a large learning curve. If you want to be succesfull with these birds you also require time.
I have had the pleasure of breeding Pekin Robins in Holland when they were still 10 guilders each and came into Europe in large quantities. Now they are up to 350 Euro there.
Ever thought of setting up a breeding room for mealworms, buffelo's, crickets, maggots and other insects? My experience is that these birds need a large variety of live food, and once they have young in the nest decide of their own free will that the mealworms you maintained them on all year are suddenly off the menu.
I see in another post that you inquire to see of they are still in the country. No disrespect but if you have to ask this question are you really ready for them?
I live across the Tasman( at least for another week before i do my 6 months outback trip again) and I know where to start looking for these birds without having to post this question.
Another good book about softbills is by Peter Karsten: Pekin Robins and small softbills, management and breeding.
There is loads of stuff on them on the internet and once you have made a commitment they are a beautiful challenge and will give you lots of pleasure.

cheers, Case

[HARVEY123456789]

what space would you need for them?
live food isnt a big issue , i feed all my finches live food atm

[Tiaris]

I've just started with my first softbills after breeding insectivorous finches for 38 years. I'm not saying that this amount of lead in time is anywhere near necessary, but I would think that a reasonable period of consistent breeding success with a range of highly insectivorous finches would be the ideal pre-requisite for your first foray into keeping softbills. From what I've seen so far you can't just expect them to do well under typical finch stocking rates or less than ideal feeding, habitat & aviary management routines. Thorough preparation prior to purchase & regular observation once you get the birds seem to be absolute necessities.

[Danny]

Softbills are a commitment, not a hobby. Firstly Pekins are incredibly expensive at the moment and a poor beginners choice anyway. I'd suggest you first try silvereyes. These are much easier to feed, less aggressive and happy in with finches. Wrens aren't a bad choice but they have numerous downsides for the beginner that often leave you upset with your choice. Depending on aviary size, wrens can be savage killers - I only keep mine as one pair per aviary as I've been dissapointed too many times at random acts of psychotic rage by a wren in a mood.

[E Orix]

Harvey
You should slow down and try and master what you have already before even thinking about getting anything slightly more difficult than you already have.
Pekin Robins are way out of your scope at the moment and I doubt seriously that they would be sold to you anyway.
Remember it wasn't so long ago you were asking what preditor attacked you Zebra Finch.Would you put Pekins in the same set up.
The Australian Pekin population couldn't afford the loss.Do yourself a favour,slow down and master each step,you and the birds will be far far better off.