More Weavers!

[dave85]

hey all,

As you all know im going to be recieving soon some new birds -

of these im getting a Trio of Orange Bishops, 1 cock & 2 hens.

Also ive spoke to karl of cbia, with some excitedness i may be getting his 4 red billed weavers (quelea quelea) :P

1 cock & 3 hens, if we can work out a way of getting them to stafford.

HEN
http://www.wildlifephotography.co.za/image/21605_a.jpg

COCK
http://www.wildlifephotography.co.za/image/21661_a.jpg

Anyone got anymore info on this species?

On like pairing? compatability?

Would they be ok with the other weavers in a planted flight?

Thanks
Dave H

[chris]

Hi dave,

generally speaking i think the red billed weavers from karl that your getting should be OK with the Orange bishops, but it does depend moreso on the temprement of the individual birds so could be different for different people.

as for the housing etc, this is the same for most weavers, lots of plants including bamboo, tall grasses (Miscanthus/elephant grasses), russian vine, passion flowers, hops and bushes such as budleia. a twisted hazel tree would be good in there as they grow to a maximum of 2 metres tall, and the twisted branches will provide excellent nesting sites.

as for the diet, millet sprays, cuttlefish bone, mealworm, waxworm, fruitfly, foreign finch (mine like soaked canary also), and a few greens

good luck, i would have contacted karl about the weavers he had but it was too much of a distance and i didn't know i might be going to stafford at the time.

Chris:wink:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Dave,

Congratulations on your soon to be new Birds:grin:, as far as compatability goes it all depends on the size of the aviary, how much cover is available and what other Birds share the aviary?

Paul.:wink:

[kenny]

hi dave
i would agree with paul it depends on the size of your aviary and what other birds you are keeping as,weavers can be really nasty especially when they are breeding or decide to pick a corner of your aviary for thamselves the red bills especially are very industrious when it comes to nest buiding

ken

[chris]

Hi dave,


i would try them out together if the aviary is large enough, and well planted, the more cover the better! in my aviary the weavers seem to have chosen a holy tree we cut down last year and placed upright in the aviary. all the little twigs and branches provide loads of options for nesting so this could be something for you to try out with your aviary... if you can get hold of a tree top or small tree! for extra cover i'm planting a few climbers to grow around it for next year and will let you know if this boosts the breeding

if they don't get on you could always divide the aviary or build another if you have the space:grin:

Chris;-)

[dave85]

hey all,

just thought id find out before i get them, I'm hoping my planted flight will be of a nice size but unsure as yet.

My flights are all being redone, with 4/5 flights being erected - work has only just started on constructing panels but unsure of how it is going to be divided up as yet.

Thanks all, btw i have numerous buddleia growing in garden various sizes so plan to add those and ill add as many plants as i can.

The only other birds i was going to house in their at present were - 1 pr greensingers, 1pr star finches, 1 pr of red head finches - with the orange bishops and then with the red bills if i manage to get them that mix sound ok?

Also what pairing do red bills need? as ive read somewhere they form pairs? and arent as polygamous as other weavers? anyone know for sure.

Thanks
Dave H

[chris]

Hi dave,

i'd just place all the red billed weavers together and let them pair up themselves, assuming they don't all share the same cock like most weavers. as for planting up your aviary, cram as many plants as you can into there, the more there are the harder it will be for the birds to eat them all, so they should keep on growing!

Chris;-)

[dave85]

hey chris,

If i place all the red billed in it if i get them, then there will be 1 cock & 3 hens, so if my thoughts on 1 cock x 1 hen is right then ill have 2 spare hens - at least he'll get a choice lol.

Also my Orange bishop cock has got 2 hens to have fun with lol

Thanks
Dave H

p.s - ill try - be sure to find me asking u all the plants i can find n checking they are safe.

Btw you on msn?

[chris]

Hi dave,

no probs, if you have the chance you might get better results with an extra cock bird and a few more hens, this way the cocks will compete with each other which should boost breeding success

i am on msn, i don't think your on my list..

Chris:wink:

[dave85]

hey chris,

Once i recieve them i'll get these established but ill still look to pick up more hens for each and maybe another cock of each.

Time will tell.

If its densely planted do you think they will all get on? and will find natural livefood within the plants?

Add me then - nottm_dave85@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks
Dave H

[chris]

Hi dave,

if the flight is densely planted and has plenty of possible hiding places and nest sites then you should be fine housing them together. you will get some livefood on the plants, but not enought to sustain and weaver chichs so you will still need to add some livefood for the weavers.

Chris:wink:

[Waxbill_ash]

Chris is right there will need to be a constant supply of live food mate. not only is it a high protein food source it is also a breeding stimulant and the higher the protein count the more the cock bird will want to fertalise the hen with its semen. i suggest to any breeders a constant supply of live food is essential to any aviary. it also will give you a lot of stronger fledgelings they will be healthier hardier and some birds that dont survive their first moult will get through it without a problem.

i will add a paper i have been writing on the studies of live food and results of breeding tests. Waxbills are the main example once there is live food present in the flight the cock started building a nest.


ALL THE BEST------ASH:)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Dave,

You still haven't mentioned the size of the aviary you intend on housing the Weavers in, it is important that the aviary is large enough to house both Species due to the aggressive courtship and territorial behaviour of Weaver Species.

As for the Buddleia, obviously these Plants are great for attracting Insects while they are in flower, but they aren't all that great for providing suitable nest building sites, you would also need to provide more densely growing Plants, such as, Privet, Bamboo, Conifer, various Climbers etc. It may be a good idea to grow the Climber Plants through the Buddleia to provide better nest building sites.

Livefood in the form of Regular Mealworms to bring the adults into breeding condition will be fine, but for rearing chicks, Mini Mealworms, Fruit Flies, small Crickets and Bufalloworms etc will help a great deal in ensuring any chicks will be reared.

Paul.:wink: