Comments on housing and feeding
Erythrura
Comments which apply to all the more common Parrot finches
Housing
4 different size cages
all 600mm deep - important for feeling of security
1 metre by 1 metre
900mm by 600mm
600mm by 900mm
600mm by 500mm
all 600mm deep - important for feeling of security
1 metre by 1 metre
900mm by 600mm
600mm by 900mm
600mm by 500mm
bottom of cages have Aurbeoise
(a very absorbent horse bedding product)
moisture in air is around 60 %
(any lower increases possibility of dead in shell)
baths used and changed daily, as is fresh water, (nothing added)
temperature around 18 -20° C (64 - 68° F)
(a very absorbent horse bedding product)
moisture in air is around 60 %
(any lower increases possibility of dead in shell)
baths used and changed daily, as is fresh water, (nothing added)
temperature around 18 -20° C (64 - 68° F)
Feeding
8 kg White Millet
7 kg Plain Canary seed
4 kg Yellow Millet
3 kg Jap Millet
1 kg crushed Groats
1 kg Niger seed
1 kg Grass seed
7 kg Plain Canary seed
4 kg Yellow Millet
3 kg Jap Millet
1 kg crushed Groats
1 kg Niger seed
1 kg Grass seed
also use Jos van Himbergen Code No. 4 seed mixture
email re availability of this excellent mix
(and mix code number 3 with smaller seeds which suit Waxbills)
during the breeding season and when birds are moulting
I give them a small quantity of Kanaus grass
email re availability of this excellent mix
(and mix code number 3 with smaller seeds which suit Waxbills)
during the breeding season and when birds are moulting
I give them a small quantity of Kanaus grass
Soft food Mix
5 kilo of plain Cede
5 kilo of Tropical CeDe - contains dry shrimp
3 kilo of CeDe protein mix
mixed herbs - 150 gms
vitamins - 50 gms of grey calca and 50 gms of pink mineral
(add livefood in daily according to species, whether breeding etc.)
frozen Pinkies - 1 tablespoon per 100-150 gms of soft food
buffalo worms - 1 tablespoon per 100-150 gms of soft food
(amount varies by species and is a matter of trial and error)
when add frozen livefood to basic softfood mix daily add
1 gm of spirulina per 250gms of softfood mixture
5 kilo of Tropical CeDe - contains dry shrimp
3 kilo of CeDe protein mix
mixed herbs - 150 gms
vitamins - 50 gms of grey calca and 50 gms of pink mineral
(add livefood in daily according to species, whether breeding etc.)
frozen Pinkies - 1 tablespoon per 100-150 gms of soft food
buffalo worms - 1 tablespoon per 100-150 gms of soft food
(amount varies by species and is a matter of trial and error)
when add frozen livefood to basic softfood mix daily add
1 gm of spirulina per 250gms of softfood mixture
for about 100 birds with much breeding occurring..
I use approximately 500 gm of the mix
to this mix each day I add finely chopped chicory (one bulb)
plus two pre-frozen ice cubes of carrot juice
I divide the mix into halves and feed the softfood twice a day
(twice a week outside of the breeding season)
use soft food prior, during and after breeding season
soft food mix is good for moults and rearing
also for bringing birds into breeding condition
5 months per year of no soft food, giving dry seed only
(austerity diet)
I use approximately 500 gm of the mix
to this mix each day I add finely chopped chicory (one bulb)
plus two pre-frozen ice cubes of carrot juice
I divide the mix into halves and feed the softfood twice a day
(twice a week outside of the breeding season)
use soft food prior, during and after breeding season
soft food mix is good for moults and rearing
also for bringing birds into breeding condition
5 months per year of no soft food, giving dry seed only
(austerity diet)
Nest boxes
simple half-fronted - 100mm square (4.5 by 4.5 inches)
are placed inside at different heights which vary
according to the size of cage and species
bottom of next boxes is made of fine mesh
are placed inside at different heights which vary
according to the size of cage and species
bottom of next boxes is made of fine mesh
place a chamomile tea bag in bottom before adding material
(a tip from Johan Norde which seems to stop mites)
nesting material - both normal and bleached coconut fibre
plus small quantity of goat hair
(a tip from Johan Norde which seems to stop mites)
nesting material - both normal and bleached coconut fibre
plus small quantity of goat hair
External links
Interested in Blue-Capped Waxbills? Photos of chick development plus recipe for Paul de Nil's rearing food
www.blue-capped-waxbill.com/
Interested in Lavender Waxbills? Housing, feeding and breeding but particularly determining gender from calls - includes recordings
www.lavender-waxbill.com/
Are you a member of The Waxbill Finch Society? An excellent Society for advice, booklets and videos
www.waxbillfinchsociety.org.uk/
Live in the UK? Interested in helping wildlife? This site deals with creating a wildlife-friendly garden
www.welcomewildlife.co.uk
Birds and snorkelling photography? Both are great fun. Holiday places, info. on cameras and snorkelling
www.snorkellingphotography.com