Cordon Bleus

[cntrymeadow]

The local pet store here has had two CB's forever.
Price was $99.00 each.
Now have been reduced to $89.00 each.

Questions:

What is the average price per?
Ive seen online where they are $100.00 for a pair not per each.
Was thinking of going in and offering a price for the both.

We have an aviary 6x6x2 with zebra, society and gouldians.
Im assuming CB's will be ok with these?

One CB appears to be a red cheek the other has no red on the face.
No idea of sex (not that it matters).

Ive read CB's are insectivores however there appears to be just seed in the cage.

What specifically do CB's eat?
Ive read seed is ok but they also need insects (live or dead?).

Anything else I need to know while I consider what to do?

[Animal Quackers]

I can only tell you that one of the local breeders here charges $150 a pair. $89 each seems high to me, but that is here in Massachusetts.

[monotwine]

Sounds like a pair of Red Cheeked cordon bleu. The male has the red cheek patch the female not. the Finch information Centre and other sites like E finch.com have great write ups about all the different species. The link on here to FIC site is on the left of your screen.

I cannot comment of pricing as your prices are outrageos compared to here. Although as to food I can help. Yes they can survive on a good seed mix, but definately need live food and/or dried insects and commercial egg food to breed. They need a diet with much higher levels of protein. Some brands of seed mixes specifically make seed/insect mixes for african finches. Others on this site would be able to name brands etc.
My personal experience is that with lots of egg food and dried insects the birds colours are exquisite even if they have never successfully bred for me! Breeding them is not easy from all I have heard/read.

I find they can get territorial but are not agressive birds. They usually only display agression towards their own species and its all aerial "fighting" with a lot of noise and no damage.

They have beautiful songs and courtship dances and are a fantastic addition to a avid finch keeper. (in my opinion )

[Sally]

Prices at pet stores are always high, due to their overhead. CB prices are determined by the area. Here in Texas, they sell at the marts for about $50 each. In Atlanta and Orlando, they go for as cheap as $25 each. Of course, that doesn't help you in Washington! I would be willing to bet there are marts in Washington, it's just hard to find out about them. And most marts in winter are in southern areas.

Another thing about pet store birds--unless they have closed bands, you have no idea of their age. But that is also true about many birds that are sold at marts--no bands, no history.

The red cheek patch tells me that it is a Red-cheeked CB male. The hens do not have the cheek patch. Red-cheeked CB females should have a dark tip to their beak. They are insectivores, but you can supply the extra protein they need by giving them (and all your birds) some eggfood. They may not breed in your mixed aviary, as the Zebras and Societies may interfere with their nest too much.

I happen to love CBs, for their color, their song, their personalities. They are sweet little birds, as long as you don't have two males in the same flight--then they will fight. You can read all about them at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, and that may help you with your decision.

[cindy]

At bird fairs BCCB go for $35 each and RCCB $45 each. The PetSmart here has the BCCB for $89 each. Rather high!

[cntrymeadow]

Thank you for the info!

Im not interested in breeding them as we have enough finch as it is and I want to concentrate on the gouldians.

I can do dead bugs but not live! Wanted to verify dead bugs are ok. I already give the flock eggfood so we are good on that!

Right now I feed all finch the ABBA finch food and I dont see any point in having to buy special food just for the cb's? Or should I then mix the two seeds together? I would want to make sure all birds are getting the proper seed but in an aviary it seems like they would just eat what they want anyway!

[Domenic]

I got my pair at $80. Red cheeks are about the same price as blue caps, sometimes you will find one priced higher than the other but there isn't an exact science as to the prices of Cordon Bleus.

[franny]

...
I can do dead bugs but not live! Wanted to verify dead bugs are ok. I already give the flock eggfood so we are good on that!

Right now I feed all finch the ABBA finch food and I dont see any point in having to buy special food just for the cb's? ...

No need to get different seed. They will do well on the Abba seed I think. I have a goldbreasted waxbill and she (and my society finch) both love freeze dried bloodworms - the kind you usually feed to fish. I won't fee live food either! I also get canned mealworms (available in the reptile section of most pet stores, but only the goldbreast will eat them. Other types of insect food for finches are available online - but you won't find them in most pet stores unless they are a bird specialty store.

I think if you aren't intending to breed them, then keep it simple. Seed, eggfood, some dried bloodworms, and they'll be happy.

[jimlas43]

I just bought some freeze dried blood worms and I sprinkle them over the egg food. So far so good.

The only reason I don't like to buy a female and male of the same species at the pet store is because I like to breed them and it worries me that they could be related.

If your not breeding them I would go for it. Check out the birds carefully for any signs of health issues. I saw a female Red Cheek once at Petsmart with an over grown beak.