Great news to share

[slwatson]

All of the hard work and patience put into my flock is finally paying off

I currently have two owl nests with hatchlings, one nest of red throated parrot finches with hatchlings, and a nest of gouldian hatchlings being cared for by society fosters. I'm not sure what's going on with my blue capped cordon bleu pair....they seem to be taking turns in their nest, so I think they might finally have eggs. I also have a pair of gouldians on eggs. (the yellow and blue pair that have failed on two nests, but now seem to finally have it down) and another pair that look like they're going back to nest.

The only pair that doesn't seem interested in breeding is my strawberry finches, but I think the female might be too young. Maybe I'll have better luck nest year with them.

All in all, it's been a great year so far! I'm hoping to get some pics posted when they start fledging.

[Kelly]

Congrats..can't wait to see pics

[debbie276]

A big congratulations and best of luck

[SocietyBird]

Awww I'm really happy for you. .Congratulations!

[lovezebs]

slwatson

Congratulations Stacie.

Sounds like you can start a birdie maternity ward , lol.

Re. Strawberries, they do better (in my experience) in a cage on their own with a wood nest box, and copious amounts of mealworms (most especially once chicks hatch). No nest checks, just offer good food and privacy.

[slwatson]

lovezebs

Thanks Elana! A wooden nest box is the only type of nest I don't have in the box....I'll try to pick one up this weekend and see if they like it. I've been giving them mealworms every night, and they're leaving some in the bowl. In your experience, what kind of wooden nest box would you suggest? One with just a round hole or one that's half open?

[lovezebs]

slwatson

Hi Stacie.

Sorry, but I must be losing my mind, lol.
I honestly don't know where the wood nest box came from

My Berries actually bred in a bardboard nest box, made from a family sized Granola box. Although, I imagine a wood box would work just as well.

The main thing, was being on their own. I did try to get them to breed n a community flight, but it was a no go. They had a couple of false starts, but nothing came of it. So privacy and no nest checks, are of primary importance.

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

[Babs _Owner]

slwatson

Looks like you got a bunch of frisky finches over there! I know you can't wait for all the fledglings and excitement. Pictures to come?

[Sam007]

Congratulations and good luck!

[Sally]

Congrats on all the hatchlings! Look forward to photos when they are older.

[Spreckles]

maternity ward is right! do you provide love music and candlelight????

[slwatson]

lovezebs

Thanks for the pics of the cardboard box....I'll try that too.

I have some sad news to share

I decided today to check on the owl babies, because I haven't done a nest check on them in a long time, and I haven't heard any peeps. In the first nest, I found a dead owl hatchling. The parents had only hatched that one, and it was pretty large. It looked like it already had it's flight feathers and wasn't that far from fledging. I don't know what happened. They just stopped feeding it I guess. It was kind of buried in the corner of the nest, and they had laid two more eggs, both being cold and infertile.

The other pair had a pretty pinkie at one time, and now it's gone, probably buried somewhere in the nest, but they've laid five new eggs.

I rarely touch their nests, but I do have to change water and food daily. I'm just baffled and feeling pretty sad right now

The gouldian and red throated parrot hatchlings are still going strong. They've got huge lungs for being so little Every time parents go into feed them, they loudly express their excitement.

I attended a bird mart this weekend, sold a couple of finches, bought one, and then came across the cutest love birds I've ever seen. I've always wanted love birds, but they were too expensive whenever I came across any. So Saturday, a breeder was there, selling her love birds for Christmas. She was very knowledgeable and loved her birds, and said she just wanted to make sure they had a great home for Christmas. So, for $45, I got a cage, a pair of lovebirds, and seed. They are the sweetest little things. One of them likes to turn his little head upside down when we talk to him. It's precious

Do any of you have suggestions as far as their diet and habits compared to finches?

Thank you!

[lovezebs]

slwatson

Oh Stacie......you fell for the ' cute pretty Lovebird trap' , did you?

A hesitant congratulations my friend.......

I had Lovebirds, for almost twenty years

[erine]

slwatson I am so jealous. I fell half in love with a love bird this week. And I walked away. Hear that? That's me patting myself on the back for being boring and prudent. Plus, what a deal! One hand raised love bird is $120 here, not to mention buying a cage, etc. Hope you can post a pic of your new love.

[Babs _Owner]

slwatson

Sorry about your owl babies But it seems you have a lot of interesting things with your birds going on to perk you up!

Ohhh, I've heard about those lovebirds. Bill used to own two years ago.
The male almost killed the female he got for him because Bill was working more hours.

Keep and eye on those two. ;) Elana is the go-to on if your lovebirds get not so.....um.... loving