Aussie Finch Forum

Can anyone possibly give me some ideas on what foster parents I can use to help raise Cutthroat chicks as I have an all Black Cockbird that I want to try to get as many chicks as I can. And yes you read it right ALL BLACK as I have found Cutthroats to be a pain even though they get live food to help raise their chicks. Please dont say to use mannikins or canaries as I have been there done that with not much success when trying to establish my Pied Mutation. Or any ideas on how to better use breeding recepticles for them too to get them motivated. Getting them to breed is easy as breeding zebras but to get them to raise chicks is another story. Im happy to email pics if anyone is interested. I also have an olive mutation in Orange Breasteds with some showing signs of Pied as well and these are doing well . Plus Im chasing mutations in Masked Doves so would be gratefull if their is any information on any availability in these Masked Doves Thanks Kosy1957

How long has it been black for?? I have seen a couple of melanistic specimens that have moulted out over 6 months or so back to normal coloured birds.

I did read that the mouth markings need to be similar in some species for them to accept chicks as fosters. So maybe using a finch with similar marking may help. There is a page of mouth markings here.
http://www.efinch.com/gape.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It sounds to me like your Cutthroats and Orangebreasts have induced melanism. I hope I'm wrong but I'd bet on it at short odds.

You'd need to use an estrildid finch as a foster parent. Canaries feed their young in a completely different method to non cup-nesting finches. Another Cutthroat would be best or bengalese if fostering is absolutely necessary??

Thanks for the web page Dianne it was very interesting to read the article. Thanks

Any chance of posting pics here? I would have thought Bengos or Zebs myself. Definately not canarys for the reason already mentioned. But Cutthroats to raise Cutthroats are always best to encourage the parents to learn what to do. Your call, and I understand your reasoning.
LML

Thanks for your feed back people but you cant seem to understand the problem. That is if I could find Cutthroats that raised chicks dont you think that I would prefer them to do it???? Problem is 75% of all my pairs DO NOT raised chicks past two weeks of age and in answer to your next 2 question???? Yes they get LiveFood and soft food and yes I have handraised Cutthroats before. The problem is not in the Mouth Markings the problem lies in the fact of the way they feed with open mouth to the top like Canaries. But look any ideas would we great to try. I have tried to put pics on here for those that are interested but the site wont let me download them so Im happy to email pics to anyone thast wants a noisy at Cutthroats and Orangebreast pics Thanks

2 more approved posts and the rest of the Forum will open up, You'll be able to post pic.s + more.
As for fostering the Bangalese are the best all-rounders I understand your dilemma.

hi am new zealand finch breeder and i have a fully black cutthroat hen and its been black since its a chick and its brothers and sisters are very dark to i think its a mutation because went through a moult and the black has never left