Feeding waxbills

NDan · Post by **NDan** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:17 am

I recently bought 2 orange breasted waxbills. They are so pretty. But will they thrive on seed. Do they have other specific needs? I read they need insects for breeding. Will the insectivorous mix work for that? Or do they need real worms?
I read also that they need lots of sunlight to keep their deep colors. ??
Lots of questions. I wasn't really planning on getting waxbills but they were so beckoning at the bird sale. It was the first I have been to so was very exciting.
They are getting along well with my societies so far.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:15 pm

Are these orange cheeked waxbills or goldbreasted waxbills? Most of the waxbills thrive on an insectivorous diet, and it is pretty much required for breeding. The commercial insectivorous mixes are good, eggfood provides protein, and most waxbills will eat very small mealworms. Cordon Bleus are supposed to thrive on termite eggs, but I'll be darned if I'm going that route! I have dug up anthills to get at the ant eggs, and my birds seem to love them (what we do for these birds!). I also have a whiteworm culture going, and they finally have started eating those. I will see if I have any success with breeding these CBs this year with all this extra work. If you do decide to breed them, it is easier and cheaper to raise your own mealworms, I think. If they succeed in hatching eggs, they will consume huge quantities per day. If not breeding, many people keep waxbills with a good seed or pellet diet.

Sunlight helps all birds with the colors of their feathers, plus it is needed for good health and breeding. Indoors, full-spectrum lighting gives you the ability to control the lighting. I had believed for a long time that my birds were getting plenty of sunlight coming thru the window. When I did some research, and added full-spectrum lighting, I couldn't believe how much prettier the colors are.

Don't you just love bird marts and sales? They are a test of my self-control, and I usually flunk.

NDan · Post by **NDan** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:18 am

They are gold breasted waxbills. They are very orange. I don't know if they will breed or not. I think I'll see if they settle in and how it goes.
I haven't fed insects to birds before so this should be interesting. I have lots of ant hills in my yard.. hmm. I wonder if I can get my son interested in digging them up.

I also got a button quail from a lady hatching some for herself. She had extras. He is 3 weeks old so I am anxious to try out some mealworms on him. But the Garrie Landry site says to wait until they are 6 weeks old so they don't mistake their toes for the worms. ??

I LOVE bird sales. I hadn't been to one and I want to go to MORE!
But I am maxed out on room already so have to build another flight cage.

I went looking for 2 Shaftails and ended up with 2 waxbills.

I do need another button. And my fawn society lost his mate and is lonely. ..

I will need a larger full spectrum light fixture. I think mine is too small.
My son and I redecorated the whole cage before putting everyone together and back in. It took all day but was fun. I had to modify my door so the button wouldn't get stuck in the cracks.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:31 am

Wow, lucky you to find goldbreasts at a show! Mine are domestically-bred, and I haven't been able to get them very interested in livefood. Tried mini mealworms as well as bigger ones, "bug parts", bugs n' berries, as well as a protein "paste". No go. They seem happy and healthy without, though, so we'll see. They don't get any natural light, but do have a full-spectrum bulb. Please share what works with your little guys!

Post by **Sally** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:55 am

I agree with Hilary, you are so lucky to have found goldbreasts at a show--you just don't see them available that often at all. Our bird mart is really declining--attendance and vendors down--and that is a shame, as it is our best way to get new birds, and supplies too. Keep us posted on how you do with your new birds.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:20 am

Oh, and I agree with waiting before feeding mealies to the button (though maybe not as long as 6 weeks). They're very cute, but seriously are dumber than doorknobs. I've seen them try to eat each other's toes even without having seen a mealie before....

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:56 pm

hi ndan
have a look at this link and see if it can help you with your waxbills

ken

http://www.waxbillfinchsociety.org.uk/profiles.html

Post by **Sally** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:25 pm

Thanks for that link, Kenny - very interesting.

NDan · Post by **NDan** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:25 pm

I posted a pic of my goldbreasted waxbills to the gallery. They are so colorful with an intensity that is amazing under that olive green.

So far they pair up and fly about happily it seems.
I haven't got any nests for them yet. The society's hog the one nest that is still in the cage. I have some on order to add in when they come. The tube kind so they won't incubate eggs.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:23 am

hi n dan
just be careful if you do breed any that the cage bars are small enough as your chicks will fly straight through the gaps

ken

tursiopschic · Post by **tursiopschic** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:09 pm

Dan they are gorgeous. I want one!

NDan · Post by **NDan** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:49 pm

You can see why I didn't want to walk away from them! Even tho... it means I will have to build another flight cage if I get Shaftails.
I'm maxed out. But they are gorgeous.

I was wondering how little their chicks would be. Would they fall out of the 1/2" mesh?

These 2 are unrelated so I could let them breed.