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Zebraman

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Posts posted by Zebraman

  3. Posted

    Hi Trevor,

     

    As you know I tend to mix my own seed, but I have used J&J foreign finch, In my opinion It's a good quality mix, but there are others that are better, the downside is that the better quality seed mixes come a a higher price.

     

    I always say that you should feed your birds on the best you can afford. Keep your birds happy and you should achieve better results, with less waste.

     

    As you know zebs will go through a whole tray of seed just to get at the seeds they like, so it will cost the breeder more in the long term.

     

    Both Jon and myself picked up a number of 20kg sacks for £10 each at Stafford.

     

    versele-laga Tropical Finch Prestige is also a good mix.

     

    Composition:-

     

    Yellow panicum       36%

    Yellow millet            28%

    Canary seed          16%

    Japanese millet      10%

    White millet            4%

    Niger seed             4%

    Red panicum         2%

     

    Just my opinion as always.

     

    Gary.

  4. Posted

    I always go for the outside, this allows you to check the eggs and chicks with minimum disturbance to the parents.

     

    Some pair prefer the nest box on the inside, so you just have to go with what the birds prefer.

     

    Gary.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Mitch,

     

    Welcome to the forum and many thanks for your comments.

     

    You've come to the right place for information, you'll also find everyone willing to help, please don't hesitate to ask as much as you like.

     

    Zebra Finches will live quite happily without heat, but if you're intending to breed during the winter months, heat will be necessary.

     

    If you're just starting with a new shed I would consider lighting as well, have a look at Sunrise Aviculture for automatic light control units.

     

    There are a number of useful posts on both subjects, but here a few you might fine interesting:-

     

    Lighting

     

    Heat in the bird room

     

    Hope this gives you a start.

     

    Gary.

  15. Posted

    It is unlikely that these birds are infested with red mite, unless they have been kept along side a species that is, like canaries and others.

     

    In all the time I've kept zeb, I have never had a mite problem, bearing in mind I don't keep any other species of bird and I disinfect my cages regularly.

     

    It maybe feather mite, catch one or two and give their flight feather a good inspection for signs of damage, you should also make sure you segregate them from all your other stock.

     

    Hope this helps,

     

    Gary.

  16. Posted

    Birds need to have fresh water regularly and drinkers need to cleaned as well.

     

    I change my birds water every evening and clean their drinkers and vessels with a bottle brush.

     

    Not being funny, but no animal should be left untended for 7 days, if you're thinking of leaving them for this long you really shouldn't be keeping them.

     

    Gary.

    • Like 1

  17. Posted

    Hi Dan,

     

    I use nest boxes hung on the outside of the cage, you can buy them made out of plastic, plywood or cardboard.

     

    I've used all three types over the years, you can also have a go at making them yourself.

     

    Gary.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Nick,

     

    I'll have a look later to seen if there's anything I can do to fix the problem.

     

    When you upload images to a post the forum creates two copies, a small image, one that is displayed in the post and a larger one that displays when you click on it.

     

    I think something has gone wrong when the second copy has been created and the image is either not there or it's not formatted correctly.

     

    Gary.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Kerry,

     

    When you seen both mutations in the flesh, their markings and body's are distinctly different, it's the hens that can be confusing as their looks can be similar in photo's. The cock birds are easier as the body and flanks are completely different.

     

    I've kept both mutations over the years, but I only keep grey cheek in small numbers these days.

     

    The black cheek hen has a whiter body all over and more of a black cheek patch.

     

    The Grey or Fawn cheek hen body is not as white in a lot of cases and it has cream under parts, the cheek patch are either grey or fawn.

     

    Grey and fawn cheek must never be paired together "grey cheek x grey cheek", mainly because there is a genetic weakness to produce blind chicks, which is unavoidable.

     

    I tested this some years time ago to see if it was still inherent and it is...........

     

    Gary.