Breeding in a mixed aviary

Tips for successful breeding and troubleshooting breeding problems.
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mrski
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Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by mrski » Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:28 pm

Can I even think about breeding in a mixed aviary?

I have had two Blue-Capped Cordon Bleus for a year. They hatched three clutches early last spring, but tossed every baby, so I took all nesting material out. Initially, I didn't plan on breeding, but I got a pair because I thought they'd be happier. Then it was so fun to watch them build their nest, hear their new songs, see his mating dance, watch them care for their eggs with such dedication, but so disappointing to see them reject the hatchlings. (I knew that was to be expected, but it was still disappointing)

Now, I recently added a pair of Gouldians. They are starting to get used to each other and don't have any trouble, but I'm kinda thinking about letting them all breed again.

I could add a pair of Societies to foster the babies, but does that just complicate the equation too much?

The flight is 42" wide, 23" deep, 37" tall.

Am I just asking for problems? Is it possible to breed together like that?
Pair of Blue-capped Cordon Bleus, Pair of Lady Gouldians

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Sally
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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by Sally » Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:58 pm

Blue-caps are difficult to breed except in large planted aviaries. In cages, they tend to toss. I have never tried breeding them in the same enclosure with Gouldians. You could always give it a try, but don't be surprised if they toss. Putting Societies in the same enclosure doesn't mean they will automatically foster. They still have to be prepped by setting them up with fake eggs on the same schedule with the CBs, so you can then swap out the fake eggs for real ones.
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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by isobea » Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:17 am

mrski - Hi, I've never tried breeding in a cage. Your flight seems to be a pretty good size, though. I have a mixed outdoor aviary (16 feet long) and have always successfully bred several species together (canaries, gouldians, gold breasts, fire finches, owls - usually only one pair of each). The key seems to be to keep the number of birds low and to give each pair enough space and 'privacy'.
Did you provide live food like mini mealworms for your blue caps?
I have a male blue cap right now and have been looking for a female for him hoping to breed them next year.
Iso

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mrski
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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by mrski » Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:06 am

Did you provide live food like mini mealworms for your blue caps?
I did try mini mealworms, but they never touched them. I also offered egg food and fresh greens, but they won't eat anything but seeds. :(

I have real tree branches in the cage with lots of silk leaves that create pretty good privacy and hiding spots.
Pair of Blue-capped Cordon Bleus, Pair of Lady Gouldians

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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by w.l. » Fri Dec 16, 2016 6:43 pm

You can't expect blue-caps to raise successfully without livefood.
If they don't like mini mealworms, you have to keep trying to find something they do.

Societies can be inquisitive about other birds' nest and further reduce chances of successful breeding. When planned to be used as foster parents, they should be in a separate cage. But I am personally against this and prefer to enable parents to raise their own chicks.

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mrski
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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by mrski » Mon Dec 19, 2016 2:02 am

Thanks w.l.

I have read that gouldians don't necessarily eat live food, but maybe, now that I have added the gouldians, I can try some worms again and see if someone will try them and spread the word.
Pair of Blue-capped Cordon Bleus, Pair of Lady Gouldians

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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by lovezebs » Mon Dec 19, 2016 9:40 am

mrski

Gouldians, usually won't eat mealworms (although mine have tried them in the past, without much enthusiasm).

They will however eat homemade egg food, with crushed freeze dried mealworms mixed in, along with crumbled spray millet.

The Cordon Bleus (mine are the red cheek variety), will eat live food with great enthusiasm.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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mrski
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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by mrski » Mon Dec 19, 2016 12:45 pm

lovezebs

Is that just smashed hard boiled egg, w/shells, and then mix in the crushed meal worms and millet? I have tried that (minus the worms) SO many times, it's frustrating. They just pick out the seeds. :)

Earlier this year, I gave them mealworms everyday. We went through hundreds of live mini mealworms, and they went completely untouched.
Pair of Blue-capped Cordon Bleus, Pair of Lady Gouldians

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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by lovezebs » Mon Dec 19, 2016 3:53 pm

mrski

Hello,

I'm posting a link to an older post, where I list the ingredients to my home made egg food recipe.

All of my birdlings eat this without exception.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=31995

And here is a link to the greens, veggies and fruits...

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34938

These can give you an idea of what the kids eat. This is not written in stone, lol, and things can be changed according to what you find that your birds like better. Also, you can def make smaller amounts, if there are only several birds, or if you're not sure if they will eat it or not :D .

Let me know how it works for you.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by w.l. » Mon Dec 19, 2016 4:19 pm

mrski

Gouldians are more likely to teach your blue caps to eat eggfood and veggies than mealworms, but you never know.
I still think you need to find out what livefod the blue caps want if they are to raise their young successfully. If you could get live ant puppae, they should go for it. You could also try mini crickets or flightless fruit flies.
And I am afraid adding more birds to their cage is unlikely to improve their chances of breeding successfully.

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Re: Breeding in a mixed aviary

Post by Dave » Tue Dec 20, 2016 6:17 pm

mrski, try taking the seed away after dark, and just give them eggfood (without seeds in it) in the morning. Maybe for the first 3-4 hours.

Or, add a bird that eats eggfood (Canary? Society Finch? Or a bird that was raised on eggfood) and they'll learn from that bird.
Dave

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