My Natural Aviary!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:43 am

normally I try to allow 2 nests for each pair of birds

EddieNorCal · Post by **EddieNorCal** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:47 pm

Josh,
I think the bird bath is an excellent idea. The birds will enjoy it tremendously and you'll get a kick out of watching them. Just some advice that you probably already thought of but make sure you don't put the bath under any perches or plants since the birds would quickly make a poop soup out of the bath water.

1.) I think for 4 pairs of finches you'd want at least 6 nests, even more. That way it reduces the competition. When I breed though, I usually remove the extra nests that are not in use because I have found that some birds will leave their nests and eggs and move to the other empty nests and all the babies are lost.

2.) I've never had lizards with my birds so I really couldn't speak to that. But if you would like something to dwell on the ground, have you thought about button quail? They are really fun little guys, I highly recommend them. I always thought of them as housekeepers because they forage on the ground eating up all the spilled seed. Plus the babies look like little balls of cotton with legs.

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:10 pm

EddieNorCal wrote:Josh,
I think the bird bath is an excellent idea. The birds will enjoy it tremendously and you'll get a kick out of watching them. Just some advice that you probably already thought of but make sure you don't put the bath under any perches or plants since the birds would quickly make a poop soup out of the bath water.

1.) I think for 4 pairs of finches you'd want at least 6 nests, even more. That way it reduces the competition. When I breed though, I usually remove the extra nests that are not in use because I have found that some birds will leave their nests and eggs and move to the other empty nests and all the babies are lost.

2.) I've never had lizards with my birds so I really couldn't speak to that. But if you would like something to dwell on the ground, have you thought about button quail? They are really fun little guys, I highly recommend them. I always thought of them as housekeepers because they forage on the ground eating up all the spilled seed. Plus the babies look like little balls of cotton with legs.

I'll make sure to keep extra nests in the aviary untill I see breeding going on! Thanks for the tip, I'll keep it in mind.

I didnt put the lizards in intentionally, they live wild around here and many of the small ones can pass in and out of the aviary. It is also breeding season and alot of the babies came in on the fern that I had left on the ground for a night. I want button quail, but cant find a source locally and I'm sure shipping is tremendous.

But, If I did find some locally, I would get a pair.. they are pretty cute!

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:32 pm

What's this Manzanita business?? Don't waste your money...save that for birds.Go lop a couple of branches off a local tree...it's not all palms there is it? Branches will eventually get soiled and want replacing as time goes on.
Paul.

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:14 pm

Yeah, i think thats what I'm going to do poohbear!

Anyway, Now I'm stuck with a decision to make.

After going to the birdstore some of the finches were alot more then I thought they were going to be. The orange cheek waxbills were $55 each and they were the cheapest of the finches there besides the zebras, spice, and societies.
Im wondering what you guys think about maybe this instead since it is much cheaper;

2 pairs of zebras, 1 pair of societies, 1 pair of java finches, 1 pair of diamond doves. I figure these should be able to get along well and I can get a variety of shades of browns, whites, tans and black.
I really want the more colorful finches, but am just wary of spending the money for my first finches. Also, my parents aren't thrilled about the finches and when they see the price they would freak

what do you guys think?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:46 am

You may regret the zebras....while cute,they are very disruptive to other nesting birds and will breed like rabbits.
I don't know the situation where you live,but try to keep birds that you will be able to sell on if you breed them.
It would not be the first time someone has bred loads and loads of zebras to find that they are unable to even give them away when they get crowded.And if you don't they will interbreed like mad.
Your parents aren't thrilled?....you seem to have got your own way up to now

Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:34 am

I would suggest NO ZEBRAS in a mixed aviary. I have one and I had to rehome my zebras. They just cause too much trouble with other birds.

Just get a few, take your time and enjoy them until you can purchase the ones you want. There are some great bird fairs in Florida. If you can come to one of those you can buy them much cheaper than a pet store.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:02 am

I agree. Zebras cause way to much drama in a mixed aviary. When i had mine in a mixed aviary they took all the nest even though there were plenty and none of the other finches wanted to breed except for the societies. Now i have my zebras in there own cage and the mixed aviary is starting to breeding and eggs are starting to appear.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:54 pm

If you lived closer, I would love to donate a pair of Gouldians to your aviary for all your hard work, but transporting them there would be the same cost as finding a pair there already.

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:23 pm

poohbear wrote:You may regret the zebras....while cute,they are very disruptive to other nesting birds and will breed like rabbits.
I don't know the situation where you live,but try to keep birds that you will be able to sell on if you breed them.
It would not be the first time someone has bred loads and loads of zebras to find that they are unable to even give them away when they get crowded.And if you don't they will interbreed like mad.
Your parents aren't thrilled?....you seem to have got your own way up to now
Paul.

I know for a fact that I will not be able to sell the extra Zebras and that the aviary would soon become over populated.

My parents arent thrilled because my dog has been sick and throwing up/crapping everywhere. This gets them in a bad mood and everything gets blamed on the animals and "no more animals in this house." Once my dog gets better, I can remind them that the birds are not the problem and are actually just a little extra bird seed per month and thats about all (besides vet bills, but we dont bring those up

)

dfcauley wrote:I would suggest NO ZEBRAS in a mixed aviary. I have one and I had to rehome my zebras. They just cause too much trouble with other birds.

Just get a few, take your time and enjoy them until you can purchase the ones you want. There are some great bird fairs in Florida. If you can come to one of those you can buy them much cheaper than a pet store.

The problem is that the bird fairs are usually like 3 hours away in orlando and the price of getting their outweighs the benefits. -_-

atarasi wrote:If you lived closer, I would love to donate a pair of Gouldians to your aviary for all your hard work, but transporting them there would be the same cost as finding a pair there already.

Wow! thanks for the kind gesture atarasi! I really appreciate it, but your definitely right about the shipping costs

Thanks so much though!

EddieNorCal · Post by **EddieNorCal** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:50 pm

I would have to agree with everyone else on the Zebras. They are quite a pain at times. They will really disrupt your aviary and cause lots of problems, especially when breeding. The Javas can also be problematic. My advice is to stay away from them too. If you go with societies, spice, and diamond doves you will have peace in the aviary. They are passive and when you do eventually add in the more colorful finches that you want, they won't cause any trouble. Societies might be more plain, but they come in different shades and you could even find the crested type. I regularly see cresteds at my local PetsMart. And $55 for orange cheeks is WAY too much. They should be around $25-35 each. The best way to go is to find local breeders if you can. Keep shopping around.

And sorry to hear about the dog problems. I know how you feel, I've got a dog that is high maintenance too!!

Fishfreak218 · Post by **Fishfreak218** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:50 pm

EddieNorCal wrote:I would have to agree with everyone else on the Zebras. They are quite a pain at times. They will really disrupt your aviary and cause lots of problems, especially when breeding. The Javas can also be problematic. My advice is to stay away from them too. If you go with societies, spice, and diamond doves you will have peace in the aviary. They are passive and when you do eventually add in the more colorful finches that you want, they won't cause any trouble. Societies might be more plain, but they come in different shades and you could even find the crested type. I regularly see cresteds at my local PetsMart. And $55 for orange cheeks is WAY too much. They should be around $25-35 each. The best way to go is to find local breeders if you can. Keep shopping around.

And sorry to hear about the dog problems. I know how you feel, I've got a dog that is high maintenance too!!

I think I'll go with the societies for my first pair of finches (they had the crested variety which were so cute) and they also had some african silver-bills which were very pretty and not expensive. I decided not to get the zebras because of everyones recommendations.
You have a high maintenance dog? Well guess what, I have not one, not two, but THREE high maintenance dogs. A chihuahua named Taco, a Border Collie named Sasha, and a European White Golden Retriever named Codie

spoiled brats! haha

EddieNorCal · Post by **EddieNorCal** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:28 pm

I was also going to recommend Silverbills on my earlier post! I'm glad you mentioned them. They are very nice peaceful birds. You'll enjoy them.

Have you considered spice finches (fairly inexpensive and easy to find) or white-headed or tri-colored nuns? I've had those as well and really enjoyed them.

I'm glad you decided against the Zebras. You saved yourself a bunch of headaches. They are cute birds and there are so many color variations, but they just cause so much trouble, especially in a mixed aviary like the one you're building.

Three dogs???? I can't imagine. My one dog, Ben, is such a handfull. Times that by three and I think I'd move out.

Does Taco run the show? Usually those small dogs do.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:33 pm

Have you looked at any flea markets in your area you have to watch out with some vendors, but I have gotten some from here that were very good birds & healthy no problems I got a pair of silverbill I think they were 10.00 ea. spice finch 10.00 ea. I think they were selling society for15.00 pr.
Have you tried to find out if there are any breeders near you ,call A avian vet. they could tell about any bird clubs or breeders in your area.
The breeders would probaly be best, well good luck

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:04 am

Don't mention flea markets to your parents....they might think you're gonna keep them too

Now you've decided to cover the floor of the aviary with bedding material...may I suggest you take precautions against tramping it all through the house.Otherwise I can see you being put up for adoption

Paul.