Mixed flight

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:40 am

Hi

I keep (and show) Zebra and Bengalee Finches. I have two flights were I keep my stock birds. Cocks and hens seperated. Each flight is probably 4x2 meters.

I want to breed some other finches in those flights, just for some variation. My question therefore is which finches you guys think will work in this situation? I quite like Parrot Finches, Cordon Blues, Diamond Firetails and Owl Finches. Any advise and further suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks from a sunny South Africa
Thinus

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:34 am

personally I wouldnt try to breed any other type of finch in a cage/aviary with either zebras or bengalese/societies.
I would advise having a seperate home for any new finches that you get.
have a look in the finch info centre, it has a good list of birds that can be housed together successfully. while there are exceptions to what is written there in general it is very accurate.

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:52 am

Hi

I have decided to arrange seperate housing for my mixed collection.

How does this sound?
2 pairs of Gouldians
1 pair of Blue-faced Parrot Finches
1 pair of Owl finches and
1 pair of Cherry finches

Does that sound acceptable? Any other finch that I could possibly add to the list?

Thanks
Thinus

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:33 am

That sounds good. The Gouldians are a slow metabolism bird and do alot of sitting and if the flight is not big enough they may find the parrot finches a bit too much (they are non stop activity). If there is a quiet place to sit however they will be fine.

I have all the above mentioned birds and they all get along well. The only other suggestion would be maybe a pair of Star Finches. It really depends on how much space you have!

Good luck, hope it helps!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:42 am

painted finches, gold breasts and cordons would also get along well with the birds on your list

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:19 am

Thanks for your help; it's good to know that I am on the right track and thanks also for your further suggestions.

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:37 am

Hey just an update:

I now have 1 pair of Owls, 3 pairs of Gouldians, 1 pair of Fire Finches and I'm getting a pair of Blue-faced Parrot Finches and a pair of Blue-breasted Cordons next weekend at our first big show of the year. (One of the members is going to help me out with some of his stock of exotics)

They seem very happy and have settled in very well over the past 24 hours. Anyway I'll keep you posted

williep · Post by **williep** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:32 pm

Congrats on your new birds Thinus they are a nice collection. Where was the bird show? Was it just for Zebs and Bengalese or other finches to? Were there any birds on sale?

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:23 am

Hi

Well what I meant is that it's actually this weekend (the 17th). It's in the Southern regions of Johannesburg; very close to Gold Reef City. Why? Do you want to come and take a look?

The show is for Zebras, Bengalese and Gouldians. It is the Gouldian Society's annual Supreme show and they invite us from the Zebra Society and then we do the same in August when our Supreme show takes place.

The entries for this year have apparently broken a few records. The auction also sounds as if it is going to be quite big: 2 lots of Bengas, 3 lots of Zebras , 23 lots of exotics and 70 (yes 70!) lots of Gouldians.

I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll let you know how it goes...

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:05 pm

Thinus wrote:I'll let you know how it goes...

yes, please do! Sounds like lots of fun!

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:45 am

Hi Thinus and Willie

Im really jealous, the shows are just too far for me to attend but would love to. Do you know of any shows or clubs that are down here in the EC?

Also, do you guys have any contacts for owl and parrot finches and what are their prices. There is a local guy that I can get owls for R420 pp is that a fair price? But have no contacts for parrots. If you could get me some contacts for these sort of birds while you are at the show (with their consent obviously) I would appreciate it.

Nice to see some SA guys on here!

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:59 am

Hi Thinus and Willie

Im really jealous, the shows are just too far for me to attend but would love to. Do you know of any shows or clubs that are down here in the EC?

Also, do you guys have any contacts for owl and parrot finches and what are their prices. There is a local guy that I can get owls for R420 pp is that a fair price? But have no contacts for parrots. If you could get me some contacts for these sort of birds while you are at the show (with their consent obviously) I would appreciate it.

Nice to see some SA guys on here!

Thinus · Post by **Thinus** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:05 am

Hi Shane

That is a very fair price. I don't have any contacts down your way, but you could try www.birdtrader.co.za to source birds.

As promised, here is an update on that show:
My dad and I show as a team and we won best Orangebreasted, best Blackfaced and best Isabel Zebra on show as well as best Chestnut or Fawn self Society on show.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:36 am

Thinus wrote:As promised, here is an update on that show:
My dad and I show as a team and we won best Orangebreasted, best Blackfaced and best Isabel Zebra on show as well as best Chestnut or Fawn self Society on show.

WoW - CONGRATULATIONS!!

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:41 am

congrats!!!

thanks for that link, its exactly what I've been looking for