nests

[Sally]

I have rarely seen Societies that were as difficult about using a nestbox as yours have been. However, I recently got some self Societies to set up as fosters, and some of them have been very slow to use a nestbox. They also have been slow to develop as fosters, though I have 3 males in one cage that are in the process of raising a single Owl finch (which was given to them early on, so that is quite an accomplishment, they didn't actually incubate this baby). What is strange is that they didn't brood this baby after a couple of days, just at night.

The pied Societies that I have had will hop in a nestbox the first night, and every night thereafter. I read somewhere that pied Societies make better fosters than selfs, and I'm beginning to believe it.

[BillD]

Thanks Sally,

I wonder why the selfs are so different than the pieds in their nesting behaviour.

When I went in to change their bath water, I noticed that they had removed all the coco fiber from the food cup that I placed in the nest box and looks like they are trying to build a nest on the floor of the cage. Guess my idea didn't work.

I still have several new woven bamboo/wicker nest boxes that I'm going to try and cut a lid on. I want to keep them structurally sound but make it easier for me to access the inside. I'll let you know what happens.

[BillD]

well.. I gave up. Couldn't figure out how I could carve up those bamboo/wicker nest boxes, so I placed a new one in the flight cage.

Guess you all know the outcome. They are inside it tonight. I think they are happy now, despite my efforts to try and change things.

I'll deal with it and I'm glad they feel safe now. Hopefully I'll have a few offspring in the future. I think they know how to do it now.

I will need advice on how to put split rings on them. I don't want to murder another chick (sorry. I feel that I did that) with the closed band.

Appreciate all your help.

[ac12]

Bill here are instructions for doing the split band.
http://www.finchinfo.com/breeding/leg_b ... eeping.php
http://www.efinch.com/banding2.htm

For me the hardest part was not shaking, as I was VERY nervous. But after a few times it gots easier. To me, the trick seems to be to properly hold the bird in the left hand, so you can easily get to the leg. Took a few times for me to get the "hold" right.