Giving up on Cordon Bleus breeding

[mrski]

After three unsuccessful clutches, all tossed out of the nest shortly after hatching, I've decided to give up on breeding my blue caps for now. It's very disappointing finding hatchlings dead or struggling for life on the ground after waiting for weeks. Besides they're much more enjoyable to watch when they're not on the nest all day.

[Sally]

Breeding Cordon Bleus can be so frustrating, as they are very difficult. They are known tossers, especially when cage breeding. Those who have success with them usually have them in large planted outside aviaries. They simply aren't domesticated enough yet to overcome their natural instincts to toss babies if they don't have as natural a set-up as possible. In the wild, they feed insects almost exclusively for the first week or so, and it is hard for us to replicate that diet.

[wildbill]

ive been thinking lately about buying some of the pied mutation of the red cheeked cordons but I know If I want to breed them I MUST have live food and plenty of it. here in oz only one choice or the very best choice -termites!

[Sally]

wildbill If you can get a good supply of termites, you should be able to breed Cordon Bleus.

[Jen]

wildbill
I wish you would jump into breeding these guys. You have lots of experience and I would LOVE to see more photos of these beautiful birds. The photos you posted a while back were the first ones I've ever seen of the pied CB's. If I ever come across any here I will definitely jump at the chance to try and breed them. I've had some success breeding my Red Cheeks and you are very correct, termites are the trick. My last hatchlings turned out to be all males so I need to find a hen to set up another breeding pair.

@mrski Take a break but don't give up! You are doing something right to get them to lay and hatch. They need lots of live food and LOTS of privacy to be successful. Best of luck with them!

[OAvila1986]

Have you try having sotciety finches foster the bleus?