Aussie Finch Forum

Hi All

as I am a new bee I am not sure that this question has been asked and answered before.

Are there any forumers that raise a few other species under Bengelese finches, I know it is a popular method here in South Africa, however I was wondering if there is any infomation regarding this method in Australia and any where else on the forum.

Much appreciate

Glen

I don't do it but am considering it myself as a bit of an emergency stop-gap measure for some of the rare finches . There are a couple good articles by Mike Fiedler on the save the Gouldian Fund site at http://savethegouldian.org/articles/Mik ... r/fost.htm and http://savethegouldian.org/articles/fostering.html that may interest you.

I dont have Bengalese, but when reading different articles it seems like the Bengalese can pass a disease onto gouldians, so you have to make sure you have "clean" birds before starting the fostering. Its something to do with the Gouldians being from a dry climate and the Bengalese from a damp climate.
There seems to be a lot organization that has to be done prior to the fostering, getting both species in sync.
With my limited space, having yet another species to set up and keep in sync with the gouldians on the off chance they might be needed is too much for me. It does seem a popular thing though especially in the USA.
I choose not to foster, but I will try everything in my power to help a chick that needs it, even if that meant trying to put it in another nest if all else fails.
I feel better just letting the gouldians do their thing naturally.
It seems to me that over a long time you might just end up rearing a species of bird that cant raise its own young or because the eggs or young keep disappearing the birds just dont bother anymore.

Hi Glen,

Like Di said, Bengalese carry Cochlosomsa and will pass it on to birds they foster. Many of the top breeders here use Java Munias (White Bellied Munia - Lonchura leucogastroides) as they prove to be far superior to any other foster bird parents.

There are a couple of breeders here in Australia who use Bengalese in a big way but they are in the minority.
If you want good advice I would concentrate my research from the European countries.
They are the real experts in that field.From my observations the Australians are the leaders in breeding birds in outside aviaries.

welcome to the forum Glen
there was an article by Mike Fidler in one of the recent just-finches magazines wasn't there?