Owl Finches

Carmen · Post by **Carmen** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:29 pm

Saturday I bought my first pair Owl Finches!
I'm so glad with them, they are beautyful!
Now, here's my question, how old must they be for considered breeding?
My pair is a half year of age, I think, maybe a bit younger.
That's too young, isn't it?

I'm almost sure someone has an answer for me

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:50 pm

Congratulations on your purchase! Here in South Florida, Owl finches are very rare (pricey) and I am struggling to find another unrelated pair.

As far as age, they are sexually mature but most people say to wait until they are 9mos to one year before breeding.

It was my husband who went nuts for the Owls from the moment he saw a picture but now they are my favorite species of finch, too.

ps to Crystal..Any luck, yet?

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:48 pm

No luck just yet :(

But I have the cage I plan to keep them in almost completely built! I will be posting pictures as soon as it is more complete. It's designed to be a "bugproof" outdoor cage. I hope my future owls can adapt to this summer's heat.

I was hoping to find a pair (or 3? haha) at the Orlando show, though I may also be traveling out to LA in a few weeks and will try contacting some breeders out there to see about availability. I'm not sure how airlines handle birdy carry-on's, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. There are a few overpriced owls for sale at Petsmart here, but they appear to all be from the same clutch. Worst case scenario I can just try purchasing one or two birds from each source I locate any at, then worry about encouraging male-female pairings later.

Congrats, Carmen, on your owls!

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:00 pm

I have a breeder just down the road who has quite a few, but it's taken about 5 emails and a phone call to get a "not this weekend - maybe next week" answer. I'm getting just a little frustrated - they're so close! I heard of a wholesaler up in Maryland who I'll call back tomorrow - I just don't know if he has a minimum purchase requirement. Hilary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:06 pm

How close are you to Richmond?

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:24 pm

Exactly 1 hour 45 minutes. Do you know of somebody down there? That's an easy drive if there is. I'd like to establish a relationship with the breeder, and I think I'll be lucky if I ever even get birds from this guy - much less be able to ask him questions going forward. Hilary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:40 pm

No, unfortunately I don't know any breeders in that area--I have family in Richmond and have been meaning to visit them. If it was not too far from the breeder down the road from you, I was thinking I could stop by and purchase birds sometime on the way to/from visiting family. I have no idea when I'll be able to make it to Virginia, though, but it was a thought.

I'll keep my eyes and ears open for any breeders in your area, though.

Actually I was thinking of starting a Finch Breeders database that allows any individual to create an "about me/my birds" profile (including location, type of birds, prices, and shipping policy)... I'd want it to automatically periodically e-mail the owners of the profiles and remind them to update their listings, and I'd want the database to be searchable so that it would be easy for people seeking birds to find what they are looking for. I would also like for there to be a rating system similar to what Ebay has--so that if someone has a horrible (or great) experience purchasing from a certain breeder, they can give a testimonial to "warn" or "encourage" others to shop with that breeder. Maybe I'd have a three strikes and you're out policy to weed out any fraudulent people. I realize there are tons of "classified ads" pages sprinkled throughout the 'net, but I have never seen anything quite like what I just described done before... I have a feeling it would be difficult for me to implement, but I'll probably look into it anyway.

What's one more project on my plate?

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:16 pm

I just got a "save the date" pre-invitation to a niece's wedding in July. The day after is a bird show in Joiliet, IL. I am very interested in what you find out about carry-on birds for your return flight, Crystal. I'd guess anycontainer that would fit into the overhead storage would work. You couldn't try to sneak them on since everything gets x-ray'd. Would that be harmful to the birds? (incase they insist that everything goes through the conveyor now)

Geez, you'd think we were trying to raise lavendars or something judging by the trouble finding good breeding pairs of owls. It will be worth it down the road, I'm sure.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:18 pm

The database is a great idea Crystal!

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:21 pm

The breeder in Alexandria is Chris Jones (www.featherygems.com). I just can't muster up any enthusiasm on his part - don't know if he's busy or just not interested. I was also told by a non-finch breeder in southern Virginia to try Peggy Duval in Norfolk - that she might have some of the species I'm trying to find. I found Shockingaviary@aol.com online as a Richmond breeder with owls. Good luck! I'll let you know where I end up getting mine! Lucky Sally and Carmen......

Hilary

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:39 pm

Hilary,

I emailed this guy Chris about me coming to look at his Owls. We'll see if he's giving you the run around or what. ;)

If I get a reply, I'll let you know what he said.

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:55 pm

Thanks Tammie! Where are you located? You must be close! I'm in Arlington. I'm sure Chris is great, but I've been trying for a couple of weeks to see the birds! BTW, the database is an excellent idea, Crystal. I've spent a LOT of time combing through the internet trying to find local breeders - it would be a great resource! Oh, and let me rephrase - the non-finch breeder who recommended Peggy was actually an extremely nice lady who breeds a TON of different zebra mutations - she just no longer breeds any other species (if I remember correctly). Hilary

Carmen · Post by **Carmen** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:09 am

OK thanx,
So they are sexually mature, but I don't want to take the risk.
I'm afraid that when I put them in the aviary they start nestling and laying. And I don't want a dead hen! Anyone an idea if it's save to put them outside? Now they are inside in a breeding cage (without a box of course

)

I'm a bit surprised the Owlfinches are so rare in the US. Why is that?
Here in the Netherlands they aren't, they are demanded, but they are much breeded birds here.

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:00 am

It's a mystery to me too, Carmen. I wonder if people have trouble breeding them, or if maybe some of us have just gotten the itch to purchase owls at a time when there aren't many available because they are "out of season." The person I spoke with in LA regarding owl finches said his breed around August/September here. If a majority of owls get the itch to breed in late summer, chicks would be available a few months after that (throughout late fall and early spring), and already sold out (more or less) by the time summer came around again (which it has).

What is the weather like where you are? It's safe to place finches outside if you give them time to get used to the outside weather--they can become comfortable living in any conditions you would be comfortable living in (temperature wise), and they will need sufficient protection from the elements (like rain, too much direct sun, and wind). Now with avian influenza and other scary potential illnesses spreading across the globe, it becomes especially important to keep your owls outside in such a way that they cannot come into contact with mosquitoes, wild birds, or wild bird feces. Safeguarding the cage against predators is also important--you need to consider the possibility of mice/rats, snakes, cats, dogs, hawks, etc. trying to make a meal out of your birds. You will also want to make sure that their cage bottom stays dry (no standing water), and that you treat for certain illnesses such as coccidia (protozoan parasite) on a regular basis, since birds housed outdoors are at a somewhat higher risk for contracting illnesses such as these. One additional thing to think about is potential escapes during routine feeding and watering of the birds--any cage you place your finches in outdoors will need to have some design elements which discourage escape. If the cage is poorly designed, birds can fly past you when you open the door and since they are flying into the outdoors... it may be impossible to catch them.

I will be housing my owls outdoors, provided that this summer does not become unusually hot. If I notice any panting birds, I will have to pull the entire cage inside. I have designed a cage which is screened in to prevent entry by mosquitos, and the cage is kept on my balcony where predators cannot really reach. The bottom drains easily and a partial roof help prevent the cage from becoming very wet during the heavy rainstorms we get here. The cage is designed to minimize escapes since the main access door is located near the floor of the cage (finches tend to fly upwards when startled) and strategically placed live plants inside will help to fill the gaps between my arm and the cage door opening as I reach inside to refill seed and water dishes.

In the past I simply placed a sturdy cage on a screened in patio, but the apartment I live in now does not have a screened in patio (so I had to screen the cage in instead). A screened in patio would have been preferable since birds that escape will still be confined to the patio [as long as the patio door is not open] and are easier to catch.

Good luck!

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:00 pm

Well, I contacted United about their policy for bird carry ons. Finches and canaries (but not parrots) can be carried on in a cage that can fit under the seat in front of you, however, you have to pay an $80 fee to "carry on a pet."

I think this is ridiculous considering they do not charge me $80 to carry on a purse, and i would be carrying a purse-sized cage in place of a purse...

But airlines have to make a buck somehow, I guess.

It's cheaper to ship USPS so I might just end up buying the birds and shipping them to Florida USPS instead of carrying them on the plane with me.

Grr!