Cordon Bleus question

[Strawblady2000]

Hello All!

I have some questions about my new CB's. I've not had them before (I've only had red-ears and berries).

Generally, do CB's only use/sleep in nests when they are breeding?

I have heard they are difficult to breed and read lots of info saying the same. Have you bred or had difficulty with this? I hadnt really thought of concentrating on their breeding progress until late summer...but I guess if they are adamant, then so be it.

As for fostering, will societies raise them? I heard that the bengies will raise nearly any species that begs in the same manner as their own chicks, but will not raise those who beg differently. Cant remember where I read the info, but it had to do with different species begging with either heads upright or heads tilted.

My new additions are doing well...gobbling up everything alive I put in there, lol. They have built a nest using coco-fiber and a canary nest to make a dome over it. Lots of greenery for them to hide. Last night, the hen slept in it for the first time.

Seems rather quick for them to do this, but then again, I do not know how old they are.

Well, these are just my observations so far. Dont want to jump the gun on any speculations, but these are just questions that have arisen over the past week.

Thanks everyone!


I've yet to hear the male sing. They certainly are shy, though. I have to spy on them without being seen for them to act naturally. Feel kind of silly casing out their cage, lol.
But, as we know, waxbills are a pretty flighty sort.

[Waxbillman]

hello Nikki

your right in what you haver read about bengies to an extent, but at the end of the days is depends hwo good the parents are so will and so raise chicks thats have different skin colour, and/or maegging posture and gape colours, not all of them do it. Cb's can be fostered out if the need arises, i know someone who used to it this way.

As for nesting mine had a chicks in the typical wich nesting pockets, baskets, or whatever the hell they call them, but as always offer a range. be warned though, since they are a long-tailed waxbill they don't hald get wonky tail feathers when using smaller nest recepticles

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

wonky tails, lol...you really do say some cute things, Matthew. (hope I didnt offend you...many guys cringe at the use of the word cute in the same sentence as their names, lol)

I've got an article on the "wonky tails" as a sign of breeding season, lol.

Well, we shall see, shan't we? After all, they will only do what is is they will do, no?

They have a nest selection...both wicker and plastic. Lots of greenery and lots of different food cups to forage in.

Thanks Matthew!

[Waxbillman]

your right Nikki, cute is a nasty word, use it in a sentance to me again and i will have to use my moderation powers. lol

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Hiya!

Well, on a whim, I check the basket this morning...CB's have started laying. Boy, I'm in for it now, lol.

Currently, no matter how many mealworms I give, they are devoured within minutes...I offer about 40-50 each time...and there's none left by the time I'm finished feeding the other birds!

So far, I've read nothing but long-term difficulty in raising these...have those of you that raise them had difficulty or success? I've got fosters on hand just in case, but it will be trial and error with this clutch, I think.

Matthew,

do you keep black-cheeks? They are BEAUTIFUL!! Looking to get a pair to start with...but there's not alot of literature on them. And...kind of pricey.

Also, do you keep sweewaxbills? These are pretty too.

Something about waxbills...gotta luv em.

im guessing they rank right with the other waxbills regarding breeding difficulty.

[Waxbillman]

40 to 50!! cor i wouldn't give them that many, not whilst they have eggs

i don't keep Black-cheeks nor Swees, both are very nice indeed.

Swees are incredibley delicate birds and hate been moved and travelling, they are better though when they are established - to add they are difficult to breed

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Okay...so maybe I'm overfeeding the worms...I have NO problems cutting back!!!

40-50 2-3 times a day...too much? Good...I'll cut back!

Just paranoid about them thinking theres not enough food, I guess.

Do you know anything about melba's?

The blackcheeks, melbas and swees are $140-150 a pair...pretty pricey, but Im determined to add at least one of the sort.

Thanks Matthew, you Charmer!

[Waxbillman]

hello Nikki

you can have too much of a good thing, just look at how fat some people are eating too much fatty foods in certain countries.
there is a few things that can happen if eating that many mealworms, getting fat is one of them. when they have chicks they'll need plenty of livefood, to feed them, rather than just consuming the lot for thenselves.

sorry Nicki i have no experience with melbas.

i'm no charmer

Matthew

[kenny]

hi nikki
i could live on that many mealworms in a day:lol:

ken

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Matthew,

I guess I was running under the assumption that if the dish was empty, they'd not think there was enough for chicks. Glad to hear this though, as it will certainly cut mess and expense, for now at least!

Thanks Matthew


Kenny,

Um...I'd pay good money to see this!

:lol:

[Strawblady2000]

Hello All,

Here's an update and a couple questions.

CB's were moved to a berry flight after their clutch last week turned out to be blank. They started laying again in the new flight. Everyone gets along great so far.

I have some egg and fostering questions.

First, let me say that I believe if a pair isnt allowed to try, they will not gain experience in raising their own. But, at what point do you step in?

I ask because, while I have had to foster goulds in the past, I've not any experience with fostering waxbills. I'm sure it's all one and the same, but there are patterns for incubation that should be tailored to which each species uses...such as incubation starts at day 3 or day 4 for some species...and it starts only when a clutch is complete for others.

I believe CB's sit after the 4th egg is laid...but as of today...there are 4 eggs and no sitting. May considering fostering tomorrow if no signs of sitting. They sit for very short periods, but nothing that remotely resembles starting incubation, lol.

As with the strawberries, I imagine that they will "gather up speed" when it comes to sitting...my berries are casual about it and very nonchalant at first. But when it kicks in, it really kicks in.

Okay...sorry for the long post. I know, lol, I tend to be long-winded.:lol: