For the nesting, the round small one for zebra finch is good they like it, already five clutches, light nesting material, checks will go down after 10 days of fledging, i suggest to give rest after each clutches for a month, such beautiful birds my favorites, nice subject, from Lebanon
Yes those are great nests for sure. For me I wouldn’t have enough time in the summer to allow the birds to rest after one clutch with winter rapidly approaching. So 2 maybe 3 clutches quickly and then winter and cold temps hit and the birds rest for 6 months.
@@birdnerdThat's right Chris. Stars breeding season starts in the wild with the rains here in Oz. They will have as many clutches as possible before the grass seeds dry up. They take a break when you cut off supply.
Oh and I've never had them use artificial nests/boxes if dry/green brush on side wall or long grasses. The Stars will build their nest from scratch every time.
Based on my own experience, which will definitely differ from others’: I had so much success breeding them all by themselves. I provide sprouted seeds all day, half riped seeds , as well as unlimited live food and wild seeds Biggest issue in Hawaii is ants. Once they lose 1 baby, they wouldn’t try to toss out even a dead day old baby, and that attracts a lot of ants that will inevitably kill the rest of the chicks in the nest.
Can relate. Ants steal my live food (termites) a good ant dust helps? Also stars are infamous for deserting eggs or chicks if they believe nest discovered. I don't even glance at their nest. Haha
Fellas i live in australia and have bred loads of stars. Boys ur doin it all wrong. Never nest boxes. Dried brush/bracken on side wall. Half ripe seed heads everyday. Zero interference. Dont even glance at nest. .
Dried and green grasses along with white feathers for nesting material. Will relish live food like meal worms. Do well in large aviary with tall grasses. Remember. Replicate natural habitat. Not plastic plants and nest boxes.
I appreciate the feedback. Looking at trying to transform my outdoor aviary to reflect a scenario similar to this. I did start feeding the half ripe seeds towards the end when I could get my hands on it and it was huge for them. Do you breed other finches with your stars or are they separated in flights? Would love to learn more from you.
@birdnerd yes mate. They do fine as a small flock in the company of other finches. I never split them up. Keep all your pairs together. Can be difficult sometimes to keep up the seed heads...long grasses n white feathers for nesting. Good luck! You obviously love your birds as much as I do.
For the nesting, the round small one for zebra finch is good they like it, already five clutches, light nesting material, checks will go down after 10 days of fledging, i suggest to give rest after each clutches for a month, such beautiful birds my favorites, nice subject, from Lebanon
Yes those are great nests for sure. For me I wouldn’t have enough time in the summer to allow the birds to rest after one clutch with winter rapidly approaching. So 2 maybe 3 clutches quickly and then winter and cold temps hit and the birds rest for 6 months.
@@birdnerdThat's right Chris. Stars breeding season starts in the wild with the rains here in Oz. They will have as many clutches as possible before the grass seeds dry up. They take a break when you cut off supply.
Oh and I've never had them use artificial nests/boxes if dry/green brush on side wall or long grasses. The Stars will build their nest from scratch every time.
Aloha from Hawaii 🌺
The Birdbrain Wife podcast should be about what it’s like being Vice bird keepers hahaha.
I like that.
Fab vid
Thank you!
Based on my own experience, which will definitely differ from others’:
I had so much success breeding them all by themselves.
I provide sprouted seeds all day, half riped seeds , as well as unlimited live food and wild seeds
Biggest issue in Hawaii is ants. Once they lose 1 baby, they wouldn’t try to toss out even a dead day old baby, and that attracts a lot of ants that will inevitably kill the rest of the chicks in the nest.
Yeah ants are such an issue. My button quail have helped me to keep the ant populations low.
Can relate. Ants steal my live food (termites) a good ant dust helps? Also stars are infamous for deserting eggs or chicks if they believe nest discovered. I don't even glance at their nest. Haha
Fellas i live in australia and have bred loads of stars. Boys ur doin it all wrong. Never nest boxes. Dried brush/bracken on side wall. Half ripe seed heads everyday. Zero interference. Dont even glance at nest. .
Dried and green grasses along with white feathers for nesting material. Will relish live food like meal worms. Do well in large aviary with tall grasses. Remember. Replicate natural habitat. Not plastic plants and nest boxes.
I appreciate the feedback. Looking at trying to transform my outdoor aviary to reflect a scenario similar to this. I did start feeding the half ripe seeds towards the end when I could get my hands on it and it was huge for them. Do you breed other finches with your stars or are they separated in flights? Would love to learn more from you.
@birdnerd yes mate. They do fine as a small flock in the company of other finches. I never split them up. Keep all your pairs together. Can be difficult sometimes to keep up the seed heads...long grasses n white feathers for nesting. Good luck! You obviously love your birds as much as I do.