Lee c219 5 Report post Posted June 2, 2014 Just introducing myself to the forum, I’ve recently started keeping birds again after a 25+ year gap, which should make me ancient but I’m still only in my early forties. I started as a junior breeding and exhibiting Zebra Finches plus a mixed aviary of foreign finches (Bengalese, Silverbills and Cutthroats) Diamond Doves, the odd canary and CP Quail, then cars, work, girlfriends and lager became higher priorities in my life. So my uncle took over my birds (we had a few years exhibiting as a Novice partnership together), he continued for numerous years exhibiting the Zebras and still keeps and breed birds to this day, but now has a more diverse collection including poultry, pigeons and doves, as well as the finches. He is well known in the scene and because he retained our partnership name I think I'm a champion exhibitor by default. From time to time i'd accompany or meet him at one of the shows or sales, in fact it was nice to see the odd breeder/exhibitor from my youth still going strong with some lovely quality birds all these years later. I have now got my life back on a steady keel, in that I now have a job that I get back from each day (spent years working away from home), space for my hobbies (no longer in living in rented accommodation or hotels) and a young family, so I’m spending longer at home and have time to indulge myself again in bird keeping. Started smaller this time round with just a couple of pairs of exhibition Bengalese finches, which I'm having quiet a successful season, 12 in the moult and both pairs back on eggs, but because I've still got an attachment to my initial love I picked me up pair of Zebras last weekend as a treat to myself for finishing building a new bird shed - see photos They were a bit of an impulse purchase at a bird sale, (BC normal cock, fawn (think split BC) hen) so may end up replacing them once I've bred off them as I would really like some decent Black Cheeked CFWs. (Please bear me in mind when if you have any surplus BCCFW birds, I don't mind travelling for nice Thanks for allowing me on to the forum, and no doubt I'll be asking for advice about genetics etc as and when the collection grows. Can't believe the amount of colour variations now widely available these days, and those 'triple orange?' birds are stunning, I would have never thought it possible. Thanks, Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paul edmundson 30 Report post Posted June 2, 2014 hi lee welcome to the forum you got a cracking set up there.nice one all the best paul 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozzy747 25 Report post Posted June 2, 2014 Welcome to the forum lee. Think I have communicated with you via facebook!. Anyway, this forum is by far the best for finding information and getting great answers from very knowledgable and friendly people. I am learning a lot from people on here! Your set up looks excellent. Scott 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted June 2, 2014 Welcome to the forum Lee Great bird shed you have built bet it wont be long until all those cages are filled. Had to laugh when you said the following: I’ve recently started keeping birds again after a 25+ year gap, which should make me ancient but I’m still only in my early forties. I think a few of the members on here come into that ancient section. but regarding keeping zebra finches we really are just recycled teenagers Emmy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonmpope 52 Report post Posted June 2, 2014 Hi Lee welcome to this forum. Did you want to come and build me a bird toom like yours? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee c219 5 Report post Posted June 3, 2014 Thanks for the comments about my new bird shed coming on, designed and built from scratch to fill an unused flagged area the side of the house. 12' x 6' with a low eaves of 6'6" fully insulated (floors, wall and roof) with 25mm polystyrene sheets and fully plasterboarded. It's got 8 breeding cages installed (modified double breeders to give quad flight cages). Cages are future proofed, in that i can add another row of cages above and below the existing, but thought it best not to overwhelm myself this year. The cages have 12v LED internal lights with a programmable timer and separate LED programmable dimmers for each row. The eNd section of the shed contains a dividable internal 6' x 3.5' flight, giving me either 2 small flights or one larger one. The main lights are fully programmable with a dawn/dusk dimmer function, the brass switches are a bit OTT but they were actually salvage items I'd perviously hoarded. Ventilation achieved with 8 louvred 8" vents plus the louvred end window, heating is via a thermostatic controlled tube heater. The whole concept started because I was offered a cheap load of featherboard planks and the previous shed wasn't big enough. Sorry, I don't do commissions, and no you can't live it. Cheers for looking. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted June 3, 2014 Lee, I think that's fantastic what you have achieved your birds couldn't have wished for better. My aviary is just finished (well almost) just the roof on the outside flight needs fixing. My shed for the inside flight is only 8 x 9 and I'm wishing now I had got a bigger shed. I don't have built in breeding cages I use individual ones I used before. . Old ,story you think its big enough until you get everything in it. You have left nothing to chance and have planned for the future too Well Done!!! 3rd photo down you have a wire bird bath / feeder on one of the cages-- I have the same, (the one with the door on it) Know what I use this for?? Trapping/Catching the birds from the inside flight Emmy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyn 534 Report post Posted June 3, 2014 Welcome Lee, Think I would like a bird room like yours. Enjoy!! Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zebraman 267 Report post Posted June 4, 2014 Welcome to the forum Lee. Looks like you've turned a few heads with your new setup. A very interesting introduction. Gary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goodfellas 26 Report post Posted June 4, 2014 Hi Lee welcome to the forum,i like your setup well done. Carl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
