Spring has Sprung!

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:42 pm

Having nothing to write about and not being online much, I have been absent from here for most of winter but now that spring has arrived, I'm back!
My little RCCB pair took me by surprise when I went to mum's yesterday and found one of thier eggs in the quail nest on the ground. I had ment to put back thier nest at the start of spring but I have been flat out and for this past week sick. Despite still feeling horrible I got to work and cleaned out the entire aviary (the egg was dead, evidenced by the rattling noise it made when I picked it up) I washed everything with water and put it all back and then went shopping. Flute and Talen told me off for taking thier egg but ohh well, I guess quails dont make good fosters for RCCB's.
My next step was the shops. I already had thier basket but I wanted to make changes this time around. I bought some fake plants to drape over the nest, some white feathers (canary nesting material) and of course, some mealworms. Then I went home to finish setting up. The nest basket went up on the back wall this time and I put swamp grass, feathers, fresh greens, and mealworms in thier places and sat back to watch.
Talen was up to the nest like a shot and after checking out the inside he came out, whistled to his mate, selected a feather and started displaying. Flute kept staring at the nest and hovering in front of the entrance. She seems excited. I went back this morning and all the nesting material and mealworms were gone so I added more and left them to it. Fingers crossed that they can make it work all the way to the end this time and I get some healthy little fledglings! Im so excited I had to share.

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:27 pm

That's wonderful! Please let us know how it goes. If you can get them to raise the chicks let me know - that's where my pairs fall short.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:13 am

good luck, hope they nest successfully for you

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:24 am

Goodstuff! sounds exciting, if only my gouldians were a lil more enthusiastic with spring approaching!

Hope it all works out for you!

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:53 am

Thanx everyone! Im pretty sure I have thought of everything for this season. I went to get some more swamp grass for them on the weekend cause I ran out but none of the stores had any. One guy at a store told me to go cut grass and dry it and give it to them. Hope that works or that they had enough swamp grass to finish thier nest cause otherwise the season is not starting off great.

If anyone can think of anything else that RCCB's might need or want while breeding, feel free to suggest.

Post by **Sally** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:04 am

My RCCBs absolutely love coco fiber, and once they have gotten their nest almost finished (and they do this in a matter of days), then I give them white feathers to line the nest with. Many of my finches use dried grasses, but the African species really like coco fiber.

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:03 pm

I tried coco fiber as the first nesting material I gave them and he wouldnt touch the stuff. The little bugger is extraordinarily picky. I would love it if he used it but he wont. He also wouldnt use the cut grass mum gave him. Luckily I finally found a store that has swamp grass and said they stock it all the time.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:33 pm

Sally wrote:My RCCBs absolutely love coco fiber, and once they have gotten their nest almost finished (and they do this in a matter of days), then I give them white feathers to line the nest with. Many of my finches use dried grasses, but the African species really like coco fiber.

What do you provide the feathers in for your birds? I think my finches would make the feathers 'fly away' when they land near the feathes - just by the flapping of their wings.

Everything sounds good from here Annabelle - good luck!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:59 pm

all I do is scatter feathers on the aviary floor. it's fun to watch the birds chasing them around. my firefinches get 3 or 4 each time before flying back to the nest

Post by **Sally** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:43 pm

If you provide the feathers to cages, only give say 4-6 at a time--otherwise, feathers go everywhere, and it looks like there was a pillow fight in the bird room! I read on another forum about using the mesh that oranges come in to corral the feathers, but I wonder if the birds could get their nails hung up in the mesh.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:48 pm

some birds would ignore the feathers Sally and spend hours trying to get the mesh into the nest. I have heard of people who stick the feathers into that flower arrangement stuff you get ( god knows what its real name is, you use it for the base of the flower arrangement) and putting that in. apparently the birds take the feathers but dont touch the other stuff

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:57 am

All I do with the feathers is put them in a spare food dish and for the most part they tend to stay there. The odd one does escape but the waxbills and my quail just gather those ones off the floor.

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:50 am

Well, I think I now have chicks! I heard peeping coming from the nest on saturday and last wednesday would've been day 14 since the estimated commencement of sitting. Im so excited as so far its been good. Parents are still dedicated and my strict rules surrounding the cage are protecting the birds from too much disturbance. How long is it usually from hatch date to fledging? Lol, ive been kinda paranoid and checking the floor of the cage regularly for any signs of thrown babies. I have my fingers crossed so hopefully luck will be on my side.

Annabelle · Post by **Annabelle** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:23 am

Ahhhhh! I just had a scary thought. I was reading another post about RCCB babies determined to fledge before they are comepletely ready. If my babies try that im worried my quail might hurt them cause she is really clucky right now. Looks like little miss quail is getting her own cage tomorrow. She doesnt hurt the parents or even attempt to but they at least can get aways if she tries, Im not so sure the babies would have the same luck. Its best to be safe right?

FINCHforum

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung!

I think they've hatched!