Owl Finches

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:13 pm

Psst.. Crystal.. Put the finch in your purse.. hee hee..

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:45 pm

Yea - little happy dance in Arlington! I emailed the breeder in Norfolk, and she's going to pull and sex my pair of owls!!! I'm waiting to hear back, but am hoping that I can drive down this weekend to get them! She also has a mate for my cuddle-bunny black headed nun, who's been singing his little heart out with nobody to appreciate him!

Hilary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:48 pm

I considered it Jeannette, but I don't think it would be safe putting them through the x-ray machine... and if it were safe, I am pretty sure the little mobile finch skeletons would give me away :(

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:49 pm

That's wonderful Hilary! Does she ship? hee hee

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:10 pm

Not that I'm an enabler, but you can always check! Her email is finchbreeder@earthlink.net.

Hilary

Carmen · Post by **Carmen** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:47 am

Thank you, Crystal!
Your information has really convinces me that I'm treating my birds well.
And I'm sorry I didn't explain my self good enough

It's clear I'm not yet be used to the way you are keeping your birds. Here it's so different, you know! We haven't very warm summers and not very cold winters. So it's normal here to have an outside aviary. My one is covered over and has a sleeping place where they can sit without becoming wet and sitting in wind. All my birds except for the Swees (and my new Owls) are outside.
My real issue is that I'm afraid I can't controll the Owls anymore when I put them outside. And then start breeding with the chance the hen is too young. But when I'm correct, you guys haven't experienced this sort of things?

Oh and yes when you have an aviary outside you need a very low door, I've noticed

I thought distinguishing the Owls was easy?

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 11:06 pm

It's not necessarily easy to tell the difference between the sexes - markings and coloring seem to be exactly the same. I picked up my pair today (the breeder swears they're unrelated - I sure hope so after 6 hours on the road!) and the male when compared to the female does have a broader head. I'm lucky - she thinks the male is 3 years old and the female a little younger, so if I decide to give them a nest they should be fine.

I would think that yours should be fine outside as long as you don't provide nests or nesting material. Of course, where there's a will there's a way, but at least you can make it a little more difficult for them!

Hilary

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:43 am

Grats, Hilary!

Carmen · Post by **Carmen** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:10 am

Hmm, it's a bit of a problem not giving nesting material and boxes...
I have other pairs building nests outside in the aviary.
I think I will keep the Owls inside for a while, than!

The differences from my pair is very big. The cock has a much broader band and the white of the head is brighter.

Hilary congrats with your new Owls!
Hopefully they like their new home

Post by **Hilary** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:30 pm

Thanks all! They are the cutest little things, and REALLY active! The breeder thought I was nuts - I kept clapping my hands. Felt like a kid in a candy store! Also picked up the mate for my black-headed nun and a gorgeous pair of goulds!! Hilary

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:32 pm

I'm taking bets on how long Hilary will keep these birds in quarantine.

a. Two months.
b. One month.
c. Two weeks.
d. none of the above

Any takers? ;)

Post by **Hilary** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:47 pm

Two weeks? It's so funny - I had to put them in the same room as my other nun, but tucked around a corner and on the other side of the room. I went up tonight and my little boy would not stop singing! My new little girl was hopping all over her cage, talking back! They WANT to be together! Hilary

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:53 pm

I'm giving HIlary the benefit of the doubt.... i'm going with D.. None of the above..

Only cause I think she wont last 3 weeks.. hee hee

*ducks and runs*

Jeannette

Post by **Hilary** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:17 pm

I'll let you know when I cave! I'm actually debating what to do with the goulds - I bought them to put in my community flight in the living room where I can see them, but in 3 months they'll be a year old and old enough to try breeding and I know they'll produce wonderful chicks. If I do decide to set them up, I don't want to have to catch them! They're currently in a breeder cage downstairs where I can't see them. So maybe the owls go in the community cage..... I am going to at least run them through wormout and ronivet - they were in a very busy indoor aviary! Hilary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:10 pm

I purchased 2 pairs of owls in LA--one from Mary Delle of http://www.finefinches.com and one from Rob at http://www.socalfinches.com

All the birds were bright, alert, and seemed very healthy and well taken care of. I highly recommend them as breeders if you can make it out to the LA area.