How many breeding cages?

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:13 pm

I have had mixed avairies outdoors now for 5-6 years and want to start breeding in my safe room/ food / prep area. Space is a little tight, but I do have a maximum area of 7' x 2' for cages. Should I go with two rows of 7' x 2', with dividers of coarse. Or, one row and a work bench? I'm looking at Goulds, owls, stars, and strawberries so far. What do you think?

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:15 pm

I would start out with the one row and a work bench, but I know many people on here, myself included, would do two rows, becuase thats all the more cage space to have more finches!!! I like the idea of having the work bench because you can use it to store you supplies and prepare food and other items as well.

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:18 pm

If you take over this space, how much space are you loosing for food prep? What will inevitably be displaced? I know that even with my one flight cage with 2 GBs in it, I have tons of STUFF, that I collect...feeders, medications, etc. Where will yours go? I'd vote for one row of cages, and one work bench!

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:20 pm

I have a smaller work bench on the other side of the 7' x 2', but I don't want to get too much too fast going. I could always add later. How long can I keep the birds in this non lite area? Maybe a pair of aggressive finches could go in the second row.

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:21 pm

For breeding gouldians we have had the best luck using 30x18x18 divided breeding cages with out the divider. Only one pair per cage. Years ago we tried dividing the cages and found that the breeding pairs just did not seem to be as healthy since they could not get as much exercise by being able to fly around. The cages also got pretty crowded when the babies fledged the nest.

Having the work space would be best for keeping things organized, but I guess it really depends on how many pairs you want to set up.

Sean

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:28 pm

I would start with one row and work up from there as needed. Sounds like fun!

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:31 pm

So, if I use a 18" x 18" x 60" cage and divide it in half for the mating pair to start with I'll be good. Then, wait until the clutch hatches, fledges and is weaned from parents I can move them next door to the other 30" cage. That sounds like a cycle. Then I can release the pair back to the nestless avairy until I decide to breed them again or try another match. Will this work for most pairs of finches?

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:14 am

That sounds like a plan to me. From what I know, it should work fine for most passive species of finches like gouldians and socities and zebras and such. Other more seasoned people will chime in here though to give you more info on other species, I am sure.

MalditoGorrion · Post by **MalditoGorrion** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:38 am

Wow this thread is so useful I am planning to breed goulds too

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:10 am

first thing I would be trying to do is make the room bigger so you could have as many breeding cages as you want.
any kids that you could kick out of their bedroom?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:45 am

I think the main thing with gouldians in breeding them is that they are comfortable enough in their enviroment. My gouldians have gone crazy thing year. I need them to STOP breeding.

Good luck.

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:37 am

I'm thinking of taking notes on each species and laminating them to hang on the in my prep area for quick info. I've been keeping a calender handy for notes such as hatching, fledges, meds , when I wrap the aviary in plastic for winter, etc. I know owls like more privacy during breeding and so do CB - thus foliage would be good. All these notes are good to pin up on the walls for quick info.

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:02 pm

Sounds like you have it pretty good so far, excellent idea on the notes and laminating them so flying poop and bath water doesnt destroy them!