GlasgowBruno 4 Report post Posted November 15, 2014 Decided a few weeks ago that now I am a retired OAP that I will get back in to keeping and breeding birds. I previously bred and showed Border Canaries for about 10 years but gave up about 1981, due to work commitments, family (3 wee boys!) and imminent house move. Reckoned this time though I will have a go at Zebra Finches, although having read this forum for the last couple of weeks they may be a bit more complicated than I thought! I was looking for something simple at my age, to interest my five young grandkids, and give me an interest I would enjoy now that I am no longer working. Used to have an outside hut and about 10 breeding pairs, but going for a more modest operation this time, by agreement with my wife! To start with anyway!!! Probably going to go for 2 ( or maybe 3!) pairs to start with, in the conservatory with is bright and South facing, but will need to get organised with a hut and possible outside flight in the spring, as it will get too hot on some summer days in the conservatory. Now pretty well got my cages , feed etc. sorted, so will need to try get some birds over the next week or so. If anyone on this forum is within an hour of Glasgow and has some decent surplus birds then please feel free to e mail me. Looking forward to making a comeback after just 33 years! Bruno 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted November 15, 2014 Hi Bruno Welcome to the forum. A great hobby especially when you are a 'recycled teenager' (same as me) To begin with I kept my zebra finches in my conservatory but as you say it does get a bit too warm in there in the summer and the doors have to be left open and fans switched on. My son eventually built me an aviary so most of the birds are outside now. Zebra finches are very easy to keep and your grand kids will love them. Its fascinating to see all the lovely mutations you can get now. I have Fife Canaries too plus a few other types of birds. A few places have 'bird sales' once a month. The one I go to is held on the last Sunday of each month at Coaltown of Balgonie in Fife Doors open at 1pm (£1 entry fee) Hope you decide to get zebra finches believe me they are not difficult to keep - if I can mange to keep them then anyone can Emmy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan b 58 Report post Posted November 15, 2014 Coped from the strathclyde face book page Scotlands premier monthly sale of birds and equipment. Strathclyde Foreign Bird Breeders Society. Next sale day Sunday 16th Novemberin Broomhouse community centre, Baillieston road, Broomhouse, Glasgow. G71 7SE. Next to the old Glasgow zoo. Intake of birds and equipment 12Noon open to public 12.30PM. Admission £1 for adults, children and birds free. No extra costs for buyers or sellers. Clean cages and equipment will only be accepted, two birds per suitable sized cage, seed and water in cages.Dirty cages will not be allowed on tables. Birds sold or ordered in advance not allowed on tables.Can be put to side area in hall and must have seed and water in cages.Normal paperwork rules apply.Stewards and committee only are allowed entry to hall before 12.30PM. All public and club members entry is at 12.30PM. Refreshments available, raffle and free advice given Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jwfinch 1 Report post Posted November 15, 2014 Hi Welcome back to bird keeping. I am back to keeping birds after a break of some twenty years. John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlasgowBruno 4 Report post Posted November 16, 2014 Hi Emmy, thanks for your response. I know Coaltown of Balgonie. I am pretty sure it is near to Markinch where I am sure I used to show my canaries many year's ago. Interestingly, when I was buying some stuff from Kent Cages early last week, and mentioned I was starting to keep Zebra Finches, the guy I spoke to said he had a friend in Coaltown of Bagonie and when he was up staying with them a few year's ago he was talked into judging some Zebra Finches. I think he said it was in the Victoria Hall. So it is a small world! I will try and get up to the sale at the end of the month. sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlasgowBruno 4 Report post Posted November 16, 2014 Hi Allan, thanks for your response. Today is probably a bit soon for me to be getting birds as I am not yet 100% set up. But I think I will take a run along and see what I can learn! It us only about 15-20 mins away. Thanks again. I did not realise there were bird sales like this. Your help is much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted November 16, 2014 Hi Bruno Yes it is near Markinch I had two of my canaries in the November show at the Coaltown of Balgonie and I got a 1st and a 3rd. really nice folks that go there all very friendly. I'll be at the sale in the Victoria Hall at the end of the month be nice to meet you if you go. I need to go because I won the raffle at the last sale and the prize was £20 to spend on seed- etc. which I still have to collect. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
