Shaftails and RCCB more pics 10/12

[CandoAviary]

I usually attach the silk plants to the outside of the cage....still gives privacy and security but they stay cleaner
Some that have had breeding birds in and now are being used as grow out cages for young gouldians...minus plants now





Cindy, love the colors Now what you gonna get to put in there?

[JohnBoy]

Curious; for anyone using artificial plants.. how often do you clean them and how do you go about it? I'd imagine most are not dishwasher safe.
I've always toyed with the idea of adding some but the cleaniness factor has always made me shy away from doing it.

I use the plastic vines and plants that are sold for reptile terrariums. They clean easily and don't stain like the silk ones do. Also the birds shred the silk and they can't shred the plastic. I clean them when they start looking too dirty. Also Hobby Lobby has a great selection of plastic plants. All sizes. I bought some exotic ferns that are almost 3' tall.

[cindy]

JohnBoy..the trick to securing branches...hubby's hand drill and zip ties. On the thick part of the branch I drill 2 holes and fish a heavy duty zip tie through the two hole and secure it tighly to the cage. I use a pair of needle nose pilers to pull hard so little toes and legs can't get stuck. The branches that are to small I lay the end of the branch on a thick cage bar and cross 2 zip ties in an "x" fashion to secure it tightly to the bars.

I am a big Pier 1 silks fan, but I wait until they are really marked down especially if they are going into a cage. The silks are secured with thinner zip ties. First I clothespin the stalks into place and check that they can not be pooped on from an above branch or on the way of flight or over food. I secure everything and pull the zip tie tight (from the outside of the cage) so they can't get caught in it then trim all the excess pieces off the end of the zip tie.

As far as washing them off, there are only a few spots, like were they roost that I clean off once a week with a very diluted white vinegar and water and a paper towel. For the most part they sit on perches that are under the silks or the bounce off of the thicker stems. I always make sure the center of the cage is free of obstacles so thay have flying space and can get from perch to perch easily.

For a deeper clean I fill a bucket up with water and add about 2 capfuls of bleach and Lysol (kills what bleach can't), scrub rinse about two time very well and sun dry for a day or two. Do not put the silk back into a cage until completely dry. The sun breaks the bleach and Lysol down. Most silks are color fast, avoid the ones that have fake moss or flocking, it comes off when wet. I also wash silks prior to using and sun dry. I am not sure how clean they would get in the dishwasher, I would be afraid one of the flowers would fall off and land on a hot coil at the bottom.

In regards to what is going in there, it depends on what we find this weekend. I have always wanted a pair of shaftails, 1 fawn and one normal. I am keeping an open mind.

[cindy]

Forgot to add, on the small skinny part of the branches if you want to drill through, hold the drill lightly on the branch, apply a little pressure and slowly make an indent in the branch. Once you can feel the drill bit is not going to slide off and is secure in the indent then speed the drill up slowly. Be careful with the drilling on really skinny branches if you go to fast the drill bit slides off and will either ruin the branch or could nick you if you are holding the branch.

[cindy]

I set up a extra cage (ya know just in case there is something at the show and well you know how it goes ).

It has fine accommodations, a bamboo nest on the upper floor and a open twig nest just a step down. Lush green plants, bathroom pretty much anywhere you care to go, dining area with snack area, pool (commonly know as a water cup).

So what shall go in this prime piece of real estate?

[JohnBoy]

I set up a extra cage (ya know just in case there is something at the show and well you know how it goes ).
So what shall go in this prime piece of real estate?

Only Prime Birds!

Very nice Cindy, We are all excited to see what you wind up with.

[cindy]

How about this shaftails definitely in the large cage. In the other 30x18 either Red Faced Stars, Cordon Bleus, Diamonds, Black Cheek Zebras, Fires (if he has them) or I am toying with the idea of a pair of Gouldians, not sure yet.

[CandoAviary]

Sounds to me like you may need even more lovely decorated cages so you can accomadate them all
All your cages look fabulous. Any finch will be thrilled to move in.

[cindy]

Getting new birds tomorrow!!! I'M SO EGG-cited!!!!!!

[dfcauley]

How about this shaftails definitely in the large cage. In the other 30x18 either Red Faced Stars, Cordon Bleus, Diamonds, Black Cheek Zebras, Fires (if he has them) or I am toying with the idea of a pair of Gouldians, not sure yet.

Well.... there is going to be a really BIG price difference in something like zebras and Diamonds......
I would say.....courdons. They are beautiful, but very shy. I love the BCCB's!

[cindy]

Originally when I first got back into finches I wanted cordon bleus. I knew I wanted at least 2 pairs of owls in the future. I fell in love with the little Gold Breast. My husband made a deal with the breeder for the 1 pairs of GB but also asked about the Helenas. He made a deal on the them also. We got our little busy Orange cheek also. So I decided to wait on the Cordon Bleus.

I may decide to get a pair tomorrow, so I if we do I will need to give them a little more of a privacy screen. I have very wide silk fern leaves and I'll add them to the outside front and back to help them feel more secure.

The second time I met with the breeder he had held 2 pairs of owls for me and I got another pair of Gold Breast. This time all three of us want shaftails. Our daughter loves the look, she thinks there is a smoothness about them. Perhaps we will get a pair of cordon, now which one ~ red cheek or blue cap, we will have to see what the breeder has.

[CandoAviary]

I like the blue breasted cordon bleus the best
They are very simular to the blue caps but they are a much brighter, richer blue.

[cindy]

I'm not sure what will be available, one time he had both red cheek and blue cap. The next only blue cap. I will take my BlackBerry with me and post what I got while I am on the way home, hubby is driving.

[Pukasand]

I'm anxious to see what you get, also. I, too, love the look of the Shaftails. And, the Cordons are so lovely. Any bird would love the new estate!

[lovemyfinch]

Can't wait for tonight to see who ends up in those beautiful homes.