I'm giving up on them

[Ivann 97]

After 9th day of sitting, they tossed 3 eggs, all fertile. I decided to inspect the nest and found only one egg in there. I put it in societies nest, but they are already sitting on star eggs.
I'm going to rehome my fires. They tried it 4 times and nothing. I'm so disappointed. I was hoping that this time they'll do their best.

[debbie276]

So sorry it didn't work out for you.
very disappointing

[birdclaws]

Sorry to hear that Ivann.

I breed mostly gouldians, which I have had minimal problems with doing. Now that I am trying to work more with some other species, it seems some pairs just don't "get it".

I have a pair of fires that have been great and I have a few young ones now. I went out and got an unrelated pair to eventually pair with the ones I bred... well, I set them up with the same exact setup, provide the same foods etc... only to find that this pair will not even go inside of a nest. They devour eggfood and have been mating, but will then lay the eggs on the bottom of the cage. I've had to of pulled out at least 15 eggs since I've gotten them, not a single one in a nest, or even in any consistent place.

Is there any chance of acquiring a new pair? I really think these birds need to be in a colony type setting..

[Ivann 97]

I can get only wild caught fires. Captive bred are rare. Serbia is mostly canary breedign country.

[birdclaws]

I can get only wild caught fires. Captive bred are rare. Serbia is mostly canary breedign country.

I was in Serbia a couple years ago and remember seeing a small place completely packed with birds. I wish I could remember where exactly it was...

[Sally]

Sorry you have been having so much trouble with your Fires, but I agree completely with birdclaws. Waxbills are not the easiest to breed, and some pairs will be wonderful, while another pair drives you to distraction. They are definitely a challenge to your patience. Do you have any Society or Zebra fosters you could use?

[Ivann 97]

I don't use the societies much. All my birds usually rear their chicks without problems. I have only 3 pairs. One pair is sitting on star eggs, 2nd have built the nest and 3rd is doing nothing right now. I put egg in nest of 1st pair and it is far developed. I put some plastic eggs to my 2nd pair and they are sitting in the nest right now. If the baby hatch, I'll try to put him under them.
I'm indifferent this time. I won't hand feed it, if I must.

[elepaio4]

Ivan

Sorry this so frustrating. I was wondering if you could share some details about the situation here.

How long have you had the birds? Also, what is their daily diet?

Matt

[Ivann 97]

I have them since the summer.
They are in large indoor aviary with one pair of stars. Daily diet contains:
Seed mix, chickweed, broccoli, commercial eggfood, homemade eggfood, mini mealworms, freeze dried fruit flies and sprouted seeds. I don't think that diet is problem.
However, I changed my mind. I'll keep them because they're stunning birds.

[elepaio4]

Yeah, I agree. The diet seems quite adequate. I have had tricky pairs of "waxbills" turn into reliable breeders overtime. I am not sure whether this was age-related, or they just became accustomed to their aviary environment. Glad you decided to keep them! Give them some time off, and then try again in the future. They may surprise you!

[Martie]

I, too, am glad you decided to keep them. Some pairs can so try our patience! For now, you get to enjoy their beauty - and who knows what the future may hold for them. Seems a good outcome.