Breeding Shaft-Tails in cages

[jimenezl]

Does anyone have experience breeding shaft tails in cages? I have a male/female pair in a 30" L x 20" D x 40" H. It's my only pair, so they're stuck w each other. I think they're just going thru a molt. He's been building a nest and has 'tried' to mount her... She's still not convinced.

Seems to me it could be too early, since I just bought them a month ago. They do seem to have acclimated just fine.

If, and I think they are, wild-caught, it's winter in Australia. When's their breeding season?

Thanks,
Luis

[Sheather]

No experience breeding this species - but Australian birds are no longer exported, so all shafttails come from captivity and have since the 80's.

[jimenezl]

Right you are about Australian wild-caught. Can they export birds raised in captivity?

The broker I bought these from had a large quantity of birds, hundreds, many, many different species, some (I thought all) he said that were imported, like the fifty or so European Goldfinches he has.

[Ziggy]

I have shaft-tails sitting on 8 eggs right now in a cage. I should know by the end of the week if they will hatch. Though it is summer here in Ontario.

[jimenezl]

Thanks, Ziggy

Summer here also. What size cage? What nesting box did they choose?
Is this your only pair of shattails?

Please keep us updated, and good luck.

[Ziggy]

I took them out of my big cage as they were chasing the owl finches and plucking their leg feathers. They are in the big Hagen vision cage and they chose to use the open nest basket. Though I rarely see the bottom due to all the nesting material they hide under. I thought there were five eggs, but this morning I saw at least 8. I am not even sure if they are a pair, I thought I had two males. I had asked the breeder for a male to keep my older shaft tail company. I guess my older one was a female. Time will tell.....

[jimenezl]

What kind of nesting material did you give them? I tried the orchard hay but it seems they prefer something longer.

[Ziggy]

I tried the orchard hay too, they didn't like it, just carried it around. They have used the ecotriton nesting stuff. They pull it right over themselves when they are inside.

[Ziggy]

Ok, I am excited, they are hatching right now, so far two little heads peaking out of the eggs. I want to do everything right. Just want to double check everything the parents should be eating. I offer egg food, mealworms I chop in half, hard boiled eggs and greens and of course seeds, millet and water. Is there anything I should be doing or not doing. Thanks in advance for your help.

[jimenezl]

don't forget the cuttle bone and eggshell for calcium

[Ziggy]

Thanks there is cuttlebone in the cage. I had been giving them egg shells but wasn't sure they were supposed to have it when the chicks were tiny.

[Ziggy]

There were three now, both on the nest so I haven't checked in a while There were six more eggs last time I saw.

[Sally]

Ziggy Congrats on the hatchlings! Now you know you have a male/female pair, lol. The only advice I'd offer is don't check too often. Some birds will tolerate nest checks quite well, others will abandon if they feel they have no privacy or their babies may be threatened.

[Ziggy]

Ok, I just put a few more mealworms in the cage, and I left. They are just in an open nest basket so when they don't cover them up I can see, last time I couldn't. I have the door partially shut on the room, my grandson is over today with a friend and I am not letting anyone in. If indeed lots hatch, how will they fit as they grow? I promise to be patient and not bother them.

[jimenezl]

it's been a while.. how are the birds?