Orange Cheek Waxbill question

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:10 pm

Yes, Franny is right - I meant that in the two years that I've HAD my OCs. Actually it's been close to three years. I also applaud your starting with zebras or societies, though. My first birds were zebras (almost all of which I still have), and my second species were societies. My dove and zebras act as my alarm clock, silly little things.

subersibo · Post by **subersibo** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:14 pm

To Hilary and Franny:
Thanks for clearing that up. How big a cage or aviary do you have for your OC waxbills and do you have it heated during the colder months? I am hoping that our house could stay warm even during winter without the use of a heater. The temp in here is from 65 to high 70's even when it's around 50 plus degrees outside but just this summer it reached a high of 90 in here! I'll have to wait and see how cold it gets this winter. Guess an outdoor aviary is out of the question.

I am enjoying my zebra finches very much. I take them out early in the afternoon when the sun isn't that hot and when there are no strong winds blowing and I love watching the 2 of them hop and fly around, they really seem to enjoy it outdoors since they become so active there and have a really nice view. Tried to take some pix but these guys are a little camera shy, couldn't get any decent shots.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:29 pm

Well a outside aviary is good, if you fill out your profile then we would know where you live in the world and could give you a better answear.I have zebs in A outside aviary and they do fine all year they sure are A active finch

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:46 pm

We get cold winters here so all of my birds are indoors. My OCs are in cages (maybe 30x18x36?), and seem to do just fine. Doubt that I could get them to breed without an aviary with lots of privacy, though.

subersibo · Post by **subersibo** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:56 pm

TO B CAMP: I live in Elk Grove, CA and I'm told it gets quite cold here during the winter I'll just have to wait and see. If the house remains warm inside during winter without the use of a heater, then an indoor aviary would be a nice idea.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:36 am

Well sounds like you will have to wait and see how cold it gets there, is that in the mountains do you get snow.

subersibo · Post by **subersibo** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:57 pm

TO B CAMP:
No, there is no snow here. I guess the nearest place where there is snow is Lake Tahoe which is an hour or 2 away. How cold does winter get in Florida and do you keep your birds in the outside aviary even during winter? Do they have a heated area to retreat to?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:28 pm

I have a small aviary that I keep zebra Finch's in year round outside I don't have heat for it but when it gets real cold i have a cover that I put around the sides then put a heat type lamp against the wire then they can get as close as they want , it has a top on it with A area that the wind can't get to thats where they sleep. I think last year it got down to 35 degrees, but the way its covered they didn't have any problems.
I think the wind is whats the worst on them.
I was out that way a few years ago in a RV it overheated on the way to Tahoe spent a couple hours in a rest area with a lot of very large rocks,very pretty