Which Weaver to I choose?

[E Orix]

What ratio of male, the amount of male birds is directly related to size of aviary and layout.
Each male tries to set up his breeding area and attract females into his zone.
You could have a 20m long aviary with one tree as a nesting site and only one male would breed,he would set up his territory and the other would simply sulk and weave grass onto the wire mesh. On the other hand, you could have a 5m aviary with a bush at each end and both males would be happy and continually try to attract the females to each ones area.A female could rear a clutch in one males area but then move on and rear another clutch in another area.
How many females, as many as the male birds can handle with regard to how quick he can build nests.
What plants do the like, I have Reeds growing in half 44gallon drums set in the ground,fine Thai Bamboo but once again in half drums so it doesn't take over.
Golden Privets are often used and a real favorite is the new vertical shoots of my Rose Bushes.
I have an example,there was a breeder near hear who had 2 male and 4 female Grenadiers. He did not get a nest in a season and a half just masses of grass woven onto the wire and blue eggs on the aviary floor.He contacted me and my first visit told all.While he had growth in the aviary non could be stripped back to give the birds any vertical growth to weave to. I went out and found 2 small plum trees,cut them down and took them back and put them in drums.
Within 24 hours both males had stripped away the leaves and were busy weaving.There were numerous successful nests even when the plum tree(long dead) didn't have a leaf left and way out in the open.Simply the birds needed a nesting site.
Odds or even numbers don't matter but I really prefer a 2 to 1 ratio females to males as it spreds the pressure one the females.
The weavers we have won't enjoy the close nesting like the Masked Weavers in Africa.
Cawse you have really missed out by not having Weavers even for a few seasons

[MadHatter]

I'd just like to say, I've been following this thread with considerable interest and I would like to thank E Orix for all the effort he's put into it. I should also like to read of our members experiences with Napoleon Weavers (top of my 'someday' list)

[E Orix]

Is there some one else to contribute on the Napoleons.

[shox]

Thanks E orix for the information, i get jealous of the country folk due to the availability of land to build large aviaries. Being in the city and small blocks of 600 squares makes it difficult to have large aviaries. Have had birds for twenty five years, would love the challenge of birds such as weavers or like but dont have the space. Love reading articles on the forum of those type of birds and how to be successful with them, I feel extremely confident in looking after the "norm" finches as pictured on the forum header but get enthralled to learn about the specialist birds. Im sure I speak for most of us thank you for your insight and knowledge. Others please tell of us of your experiences with specilaist breeding birds, us city folk can one day dream of having the opportunity and space to breed these birds.

[Bgould]

Thanks for your comments Eorix. As you stated you have commented mostly on the Grenadears. What has your experiences been with the Nepoleons. I suppose while we are asking what about keeping the Whydahs, can you explain the housing/management requirments you have for these. Also interested on your thoughts in keeping the Golden Song sparrows, colony size and management requirements. Even other forum members with experience with the above birds all comments would be welcome.

[casehulsebosch]

Thanks E Orix for the excellent explanation. I am sure that other and future forum readers will benefit from your extensive knowledge. Thanks for going into a bit more detail and answering my questions. As for missing out on weavers? I have missed out on my Pekin Robins for years now and my wife is bearing the brunt. Cheers, Case

[casehulsebosch]

Hello Shox. No need to be jealous. A lot can be achieved with cage breeding. Europeans have been doing it for a long time and are very good at it. My fairly new cage breeding room still very much looks like the one I had 45 years ago. The only thing that has changed are some of the trimmings like a heatpump and HF lighting. Europeans are doing more and more cage breeding now born out of nessecity with the import restrictions. Birds that were harly bred forty years ago as they were so readily available through imports, are now being succesfully bred in captivity. It is sometimes amazing how little room one needs for some of the what we here would consider exotic species. Ok, I agree, maybe not the weavers but there is plenty of choise out there. Cheers, Case

[Mickp]

If your going to ask for info on the Napoleon weaver, you should perhaps start a new topic so that later on it is easier to find the info.

[E Orix]

If someone will start the topics I will assist but it is quite boring reading the same writers opinions

[BENSONSAN]

great read! And thank you eorix