Gave in...Live Mealworms

[danaday]

I finally gave in to giving my red face parrot finches live mealworms since they went into breeding mode. They use to get dry mealworms which they ate with no problem. But since they started breeding I figured I mind as well give them the fresh stuff. So far, they love it. They go nuts for them. So I guess I'm stuck now with giving them live ones, especially if there will be more parrot finches in the near future?! They are first time parents so I've got my fingers crossed(so far two eggs laid)! The only downfall to feeding live mealworms is finding and seeing all the empty shells once they have squeezed them dry like a roll of toothpaste! I try to take pictures of them eating live mealworms but they just wouldn't sit still. lol So I apologize for the blurry pictures.

[Perfex]

They do love them don't they!! Remember though, they are fattening. Think french fries!

[danaday]

Yes, they adore the live mealworms. Since they've gone into breeding mode...I indulge them a little more. lol Other than that they get it in moderation.

[sgolds]

I've never seen those before! They look very cute, and kind of Christmasy. Good luck with the breeding.

[MiaCarter]

Pretty birds! They are rather Christmas-ey, aren't they?

My guys didn't like dry mealworms (most wouldn't even try them), so I have no desire to try the live ones! LOL But they will eat those little nutrient-coated flies. I've thought of trying crickets too, but when I looked, they didn't have dead ones in-store. Only live. (Which I imagine would just hop away through the bars, leaving me to chase crickets!)
But good for you for making the jump to live food! I can't do it myself.

Best of luck with your eggs!

[danaday]

These are red face parrot finches. They are very Christmas like in colors. lol I'm still pretty new to parrot finches. But they are really interesting to keep as they are so active unlike gouldians(I adore by the way). They tend to be a little bit on the flighty side. They are very piggy like when it comes to food. They'll try and accept almost whatever I put in their cage. I really enjoy them. And I really enjoy watching them take baths multiple times throughout the day into the night. As for the eggs....it's a no go. Being first time parents they are still learning the ropes, so I decided to pull the two eggs that actually made it into the nest box. The female was not incubating them at night, only during the day. Eventually, they will get it right.

[MiaCarter]

On the eggs....

Many hens won't begin incubating consistently until they've laid at least 3 eggs. So the lack of consistent incubation with just 2 eggs is actually normal. Possible her incubation urge just hasn't been activated yet, so if you see the same problem in the future, you might pop in a couple dummy eggs to see if it does the trick.

I believe this tendency arose as a way to help limit the age differential between the chicks. If you started incubating straight away and laid 7 eggs, there would be a 7-day age differential, which is quite significant. Whereas if you start incubating on egg 3 or 4, there will be just a few days difference in age.

I would have pulled the eggs too in your situation as incubating during the day likely "activated" the eggs. I know they can remain dormant for several days, but once you start sitting, I believe that "activates" the eggs and you've got to keep them warm or they die.
Though notably, I had a hen who was not a tight sitter at all. She'd spend an hour or two outside the nest and I thought for sure her eggs would be duds. But somehow, she got 3 chicks out of the equation! I have no idea how that happened. She would cover them with nesting, so I can only guess that the nesting kept them warm? And maybe the fact that there were several eggs allowed them to hold heat.

[Smurf]

I love the 'christmassy' reference, with the white avairy floor covering and the dark green foilage in the dish it does look like a christmas photo

looking at the photos i'm just wondering have you heard either of the birds thrilling so you can be sure their a pair and not 2 hens ?

[danaday]

Hi Smurf,

It is a very Christmas like photo/set up. lol
I am positive that it is a true pair. The person I got them from was sure they were a pair too. And yes, I have heard the male trilling. It's actually a very beautiful song. A lot louder than gouldians. He has the white band and the female has the pink/magenta band. I have also witnessed him chasing the female all over the cage and mounting her. Parrot finches courtship are so aggressive. And from what I've read (not always true) the male is a little bigger than the female. Which is true in my case. Also, he built a lovely round nest of coco fibers for her inside a parakeet nest box. I'm hoping in a few weeks, they will become better with parenting. They were 2013 hatched so they didn't do so good with their first clutch. Hopefully, practice makes perfect?!!!

[Corkysgirl]

Practice usually does make perfect. Their colors are magnificent! Perfex I love the Remember though, they are fattening. Think french fries! Can't wait to see babies from these!