Guess who got new birds last night?! UPDATE: Jan 29, 2011

[annague]

I guess I should admit that I don't count them -- too many -- I buy 10,000 about once a month for my insectivores during breeding season. I would estimate that they eat 3-400 a day on average.

[L in Ontario]

I guess I should admit that I don't count them -- too many -- I buy 10,000 about once a month for my insectivores during breeding season. I would estimate that they eat 3-400 a day on average.

That's waaaaaaaaaaaaay over my head. I'd have to work to keep them in mealies. Holy cow should be holy mealies!! I buy 2,000 about once every 4 or 5 months! How many insectivores are you feeding - an army's worth?

[Sally]

So sorry your Lavenders didn't care for their babies, but at least you know they are a true pair--maybe they will do better next time. My Lavenders aren't doing anything at all. I lost one (think it was a hen, but not sure), and I have one pair set up, but they don't even look at their nesting material. I will have to start feeding them mealies to try to get them in the mood.

I have not had good luck with the RCCBs, they usually toss. However, I have two pairs sitting now, and with one pair, the hen has parent-raised without live food, so I'm hoping she will be able to teach her mate to be a good parent. They are currently going thru LOTS of eggfood.

[annague]

Feels like I'm feeding an army, too, at times! But, remember, although the Cordons and my Black Rumps/Orange Cheeks LOVE mealies, so do my other birds and they are all together -- so, to keep the cups full for the Cordons I have to calculate enough mealies to feed them all.

I estimate that JUST the Cordons actually utilize about 3-400 mealies each day (each pair) at the height of their chick rearing if they have a good sized clutch (4, 5 or 6).

On normal days they don't eat nearly that much -- but they eat them all within 5 minutes of me putting them in the cup usually -- I would say whatever I give them (probably about 50 or so) they will try to eat within a few minutes. If I gave them more they would probably try to eat them, too. But all the birds are digging in so they are gone quick.

[L in Ontario]

So sorry your Lavenders didn't care for their babies, but at least you know they are a true pair--maybe they will do better next time. My Lavenders aren't doing anything at all. I lost one (think it was a hen, but not sure), and I have one pair set up, but they don't even look at their nesting material. I will have to start feeding them mealies to try to get them in the mood.

I have not had good luck with the RCCBs, they usually toss. However, I have two pairs sitting now, and with one pair, the hen has parent-raised without live food, so I'm hoping she will be able to teach her mate to be a good parent. They are currently going thru LOTS of eggfood.

I'd be interested to hear if your Lavenders do eat any mealies, Sally; as mine won't touch them.

Best wishes for your two pairs of RCCB's sitting!! I hope they both are good parents!

[L in Ontario]

Feels like I'm feeding an army, too, at times! But, remember, although the Cordons and my Black Rumps/Orange Cheeks LOVE mealies, so do my other birds and they are all together -- so, to keep the cups full for the Cordons I have to calculate enough mealies to feed them all.

I estimate that JUST the Cordons actually utilize about 3-400 mealies each day (each pair) at the height of their chick rearing if they have a good sized clutch (4, 5 or 6).

On normal days they don't eat nearly that much -- but they eat them all within 5 minutes of me putting them in the cup usually -- I would say whatever I give them (probably about 50 or so) they will try to eat within a few minutes. If I gave them more they would probably try to eat them, too. But all the birds are digging in so they are gone quick.

Sounds like you should buy shares in the mealworm industry! That's quite a lot of mealies for each pair of your CB's to go through! Amazing! Obviously all your birds are very well fed!

[annague]

Yeah -- I probably should buy into the mealworm industry!

But I don't think thats an unusual amount for CB's -- from other folks who live feed their CB's I've heard the same thing.

I fell in love with finches because of CB's... they dance, they sing beautifully, they have really funny little personalities, I like their spunkiness and their charming quirkiness and their beauty -- I guess I'm scared to try to breed them without live food -- they really seem to rely on it.

Other people have done it -- let me know if you do it and how it works -- I tried egg "worms" but mine weren't fooled.

[LordDeathcon]

What beauties

Yes i agree they are nice

[dfcauley]

My birds would eat 5,000 a day if I provided them. My lavenders
always LOVED them. I had to stop feeding them because of the expense and the fact that all the other birds wanted to eat them....even the gouldians.

[L in Ontario]

Well I had a dish of live mealies in the Lavenders' cage for the past few days and they are all still alive... I put the mealies ontop of the eggfood to entice them but still they do not eat them.

Any ideas on how I can get the Lavenders to eat the mealworms? If they need livefood they should eat them.

[annague]

That is so surprising! Even my baby CB's -- I call them Bluebies -- are very interested and learn to scarf the mealies up rapidly.

Maybe you could try to put the 2 girls together (Lavender lady and CB lady) for a few days and let the CB lady teach the Lavender lady to eat mealies and then the Lavender lady can teach her mate after she learns?

All my birds have learned to love mealies because of my Blues. It IS pretty expensive (not to mention the de-heading and flinging that mine get into at times). Wish I could train mine to just like eggfood.

[L in Ontario]

That is so surprising! Even my baby CB's -- I call them Bluebies -- are very interested and learn to scarf the mealies up rapidly.

Maybe you could try to put the 2 girls together (Lavender lady and CB lady) for a few days and let the CB lady teach the Lavender lady to eat mealies and then the Lavender lady can teach her mate after she learns?

I can't right now as the RCCB's are sitting tight. And I am hoping beyond hope...

[annague]

So true... forgot about that.

Do you have another bird that would/could show the Lavendars how to eat mealworms? I think they are more willing to try something that appears scary and new to them if they see another bird do it first... my Societies like the mealies...

[L in Ontario]

Oooh yes my Socs love mealies. I could put a young Soc in with them for a few days! Great idea - thank you so much! I do believe I'll try that!

[annague]

I can't believe I actually helped YOU with something -- you've helped me with so much!

Let us know how it goes!