New Strawberries

[Sally]

I'll add those auctions to the calendar. There is one in May and one in October.

[tom lambert]

Found out why the Fire finches were feeding the Strawberry babies. There are more in the nest. Yesterday we came home to find a new, much younger one on a perch. Eventually it found its way back into the nest. I find it odd that they would have another clutch before the first clutch was weaned.

To those of you interested in acquiring our Strawberries. We are holding off on any decisions regarding them. With multiple inquiries coming in, and not truly knowing the value of them. We will most likely be holding them for the local bird fair and auction in May. I don't have any concrete info about the fair as of yet. I suggest those interested contact Bernie DeSalvo at the Sugarcreek Bird Farm in Bellbrook, Ohio. They are the ones that sponsor the fair and auction. Use a search engine to find them.

There was no fair last fall due to the bird flu and there are still concerns about the May event. Bernie told me that some cases had re-appeared in Indiana that may effect the show. The Ohio Dept. of Agriculture makes the decisions regarding the open sale of birds. As far as I know, the ban has been lifted. Last year the county fairs in Ohio were prohibited from displaying any and all foul.

[lovezebs]

tom lambert

Like I said, Berry Babies are ADORABLE! (Love the pictures ). Congrats on the Doves as well.

How on earth did you come up with the aviary in the wall idea? That's quite amazing. Are all your walls that thick???

[tom lambert]

No, The walls are standard. Cut a hole as if installing a window and built a shelf in the room behind. Added a box like frame. Made rear doors from peg board. Allows full access (after removing birds) for cleaning and redecorating. Interior walls are lined with cedar. Side access was built using old cage parts. The large glass pane came from a local salvage yard. It was from an old store front. 1/4" thick.

If I were to build another, the only major change I would make would be to change the area above the glass by removing the wood frame piece and make the transition from glass to cage more flush. The birds can perch on the wooden frame and dirty the glass sooner than need be. I've also considered using a one way mirror. Traffic passing by tends to unsettle them. But I'm unsure how they would react to a mirror of that size.

While I don't have actual plans on paper, I would be happy to assist any way I can if anyone is considering a similar project. Biggest thing to consider is what it will do to you resale value. Holes in walls are not a strong selling point. We are in our home for the duration. A hole in our wall is no different than the hole in my head for conceiving this. lol

[Davally]

Lovely aviary, nice feature.
Cute babies too

[Sally]

tom lambert If you decide to sell your Strawberry babies, I can tell you what prices are like. Strawberries were not available in the U.S. for quite a few years, so when we had some imported Strawberries recently, the prices started at about $100 each (or maybe even more), if I remember right. The prices gradually came down to about $75 each. Now, they are getting harder to find again, in that the sources that had quite a few of them are now sold out. Personally, I wouldn't let them go for less than $75 each.

[tom lambert]

Thanks for the pricing info. $75 each is exactly what I got for each of them.

[peter121378]

I finally figured it out, I hope. If I did this right there should be some pics of the newbys and a pic of the aviary

Wow! Awesome aviary Love how the birds look like they're in their own little island.