Suggestions on aviary setup (occupants & nests)

[Lisa]

Recently bought a double flight aviary and am hoping to spend time this weekend setting it up.

I plan on moving some of my existing birds into it, specifically some of my gouldian hens only, african silverbills (an odd number), and a couple of "single" birds here and there, and possibly a pair of cordon bleus (male/female). I've seen on the forum many times where people post pics of their aviaries and will have many nests along the top. I certainly wouldn't mind if my cordon pair attempted to breed (though I doubt they would - however, my other cordon bleu pair are on eggs again - pray that they don't toss this time ), the silverbills would love if they bred. Another thought are owls - I currently have 3 hens, 2 males. I'm still trying to decide exactly who will go in the aviary and who will remain in individual breeding cages. Would love to have owl babies and allow the birds to choose their own partner but again, should the odd number concern me?

My concern is do you think adding nests would just be asking for trouble? For example, having an odd number of silverbills or that some of the single birds may try to stake claim on the nests (for sleeping quarters). Would you suggest I just stick with separate breeding cages for individual pairs? I just wonder how people do it having multiple species housed together and still have luck with breeding. Miss Edie's setup is a perfect example.

Thoughts?

[Mick M.]

Lisa , no knowledge of gouldians breeding but silverbills yes .
When i first acquired some silverbills I purchased 5 , supposed to be 2 pairs and a spair bird unknown sex .
From that original 5 birds I now have 3 and one hen that they bred .

From my experience with zebras and societies sharing a flight I could not recommend this . Too much disruption with birds vying for dominance and those pilfering zebras taking from everyone .
Headwrecking .

Currently I have 2 breeding pairs of silverbills and very different they are in their breeding needs .
1st pair are free breeding and are currently on their 3rd clutch , fledged about 1 week now , 4 chicks and really going well . this pair have laid eggs in the feeders and on the cage floor before i supplied nest boxes to them , ( half open fronted and wicker ) 2nd pair are very nervous breeders and are only now rearing their own chicks after third attempt this year . Put them in quiet corner of birdroom and just left them alone .
Hope this is'nt too long winded and you get some help from my experience .
Regards , Mick M.
1st clutch fostered under societies , 1 survived to fledge .
2nd clutch under societies fledged 3 and all 4 doing well in flight cage.
3rd clutch of 5 , last one fledged today and all looking fine and fit., Im delighted with results .
Between the 2 pairs I now have 23 offspring , if they all survive .
They did all take egg food sparingly and all chicks look in excellent health .
The one thing i can take from my observations is that my silverbills when accliamitised to my set up just wanted to be left alone to get on with living and breeding , fed and watered they will more than repay their keep .
I breed all my finches in box type cages (24 /16/16inch)with no interference from others and i find it works best for me .
Hope this is some help to you , might not answer your questions directly . Zebras and bengalese cant be trusted not to interfere . Whatever you decide I hope it works for you .
Regards , Mick M.

[Lisa]

Thanks, Mick for responding.

I ended up putting the following birds in together:

Owls
Orange Cheek Waxbills
St. Helena Waxbills
African Silverbills
and 1 pair of Red Cheeked Cordon Bleus.


I had considered at one point trying to add an older pair of zebras but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was asking for trouble so decided against it. Everything has been very harmonious with the birds I've added thus far. I have a pair of Star Finches that I was considering adding at a later date, but they are under quarantine still (just acquired them last week).