Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Hi Everyone, I'm Jay, affectionately known as Papajay, I have had my own aviary for around a year now; though I grew up in a house with one, My brood is slightly different to the one I grew up with, I have Zebra finches (love these little fellas) 30 years ago in my Dads aviary I only really knew of the normal greys and the strawberry finches, I have to say I love the variations that are around now, I particularly favour Isabels; they seem to have great character and I find a lot tamer! I also have pied, phaeo, black cheek, fawns and a couple of normal greys. Also in the aviary I have a pair of Java sparrows and a pair of diamond doves. I developed psoriatic arthritis several years ago and it has reached a stage that I am now medically retired, so these wonderful creatures along with my writing are what keep me sane... Thank you for accepting me into your community, God bless you all... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyn 534 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 You'r very welcome to our Forum Jay and you've started off on the right foot by entering the photo competition too. Looking forward to seeing your posts. Any Questions you have please ask away. Could you tell us how you found us please i.e. Cage and Aviary Magazine, just browsing etc. Cheers Andyn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daisymay 64 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 welcome to the forum, my daughter calls me mamajay !!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan b 58 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 welcome nice mix of colours you have there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew123 72 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Hello from Kent too. Welcome to the forum. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 2 hours ago, Andyn said: You'r very welcome to our Forum Jay and you've started off on the right foot by entering the photo competition too. Looking forward to seeing your posts. Any Questions you have please ask away. Could you tell us how you found us please i.e. Cage and Aviary Magazine, just browsing etc. Cheers Andyn Hey Andy, I am on Facebook, My Zebra Finches.. It was one of Lee Pycrofts posts that led me here 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 2 hours ago, daisymay said: welcome to the forum, my daughter calls me mamajay !!!! Hey Mamajay, Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 2 hours ago, white zebra said: welcome nice mix of colours you have there Thank you 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 15 minutes ago, Andrew123 said: Hello from Kent too. Welcome to the forum. Andy Hi Andy, Thank you, Great to know there is another keeper in my area, I'm north east Kent, Yourself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zebraman 267 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Welcome to our community Jay, I really enjoyed reading your introduction and it pleases me when new members give us a bit of background on how they started with Zebra Finches. I hope you will enjoy the forum and please do not hesitate to ask any questions. You will find everyone really friendly on here and there is always someone willing help. Good luck with your birds and I look forward to reading your posts in the future. Gary 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Welcome to the forum Papajay, That 'Mr Arthr Itis' does a lot of visiting, problem is when he arrives it's very difficult to get him to leave and he's still forever visiting me even although he knows he's not welcome (I've had both knees replaced because of that - so I can sympathise with you. It's no picnic! Like you I have a variety of birds and that helps a lot. Problem with the birds though I'm always finding more varieties that I like but I love them all. My latest acquisitions are 2 pairs of Madagastar love birds (the smallest of the love bird parrots ) and 'Bobby' my Bolivian Blue fronted Amazon Parrot. (not buying anymore now!) Hope you enjoy the forum Emmy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 30 minutes ago, Andrew123 said: Hello from Kent too. Welcome to the forum. Andy Hi Andy, Thank you, Great to know there is another keeper in my area, I'm north east Kent, Yourself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 11 minutes ago, Zebraman said: Welcome to our community Jay, I really enjoyed reading your introduction and it pleases me when new members give us a bit of background on how they started with Zebra Finches. I hope you will enjoy the forum and please do not hesitate to ask any questions. You will find everyone really friendly on here and there is always someone willing help. Good luck with your birds and I look forward to reading your posts in the future. Gary Thanks Gary, I do have a question I rescued a couple of Zebs a couple of weeks ago, unfortunately they have been kept in such a small cage for such a long time they don't fly! is there anything I can do or is it a case of nature will out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 6 minutes ago, Emmy said: Welcome to the forum Papajay, That 'Mr Arthr Itis' does a lot of visiting, problem is when he arrives it's very difficult to get him to leave and he's still forever visiting me even although he knows he's not welcome (I've had both knees replaced because of that - so I can sympathise with you. It's no picnic! Like you I have a variety of birds and that helps a lot. Problem with the birds though I'm always finding more varieties that I like but I love them all. My latest acquisitions are 2 pairs of Madagastar love birds (the smallest of the love bird parrots ) and 'Bobby' my Bolivian Blue fronted Amazon Parrot. (not buying anymore now!) Hope you enjoy the forum Emmy Hey Emmy thanks, sounds like an interesting collection you have, I get my new knee later this year not really looking forward to it, I'm sure the relief will be great, but anything that keeps me from my aviary even for a day is not welcome either lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zebraman 267 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Hi Jay, Do have any idea of age? The only reason I ask is that as Zebras get older their wings become more frail until they eventually loose the ability to fly. So depending on age it could be a problem. If on the other hand the birds are still young, you do have a chance, but you will need to build their wing muscles up gradually. One of the ways you could do this is to place them in a bigger cage something similar to a double breeding cage so they can learn to fly again and gradually build their muscle tissue. I would also introduce a multi vitamin supplement to their food or water as well and a nice sized piece of cuttle fish bone. Hope this helps. Gary. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 2 minutes ago, Zebraman said: Hi Jay, Do have any idea of age? The only reason I ask is that as Zebras get older their wings become more frail until they eventually loose the ability to fly. So depending on age it could be a problem. If on the other hand the birds are still young, you do have a chance, but you will need to build their wing muscles up gradually. One of the ways you could do this is to place them in a bigger cage something similar to a double breeding cage so they can learn to fly again and gradually build their muscle tissue. I would also introduce a multi vitamin supplement to their food or water as well and a nice sized piece of cuttle fish bone. Hope this helps. Gary. Hmm well the mum is probably 5 and daughter (black cheek) a couple of years old.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zebraman 267 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 15 minutes ago, Papajay said: Hmm well the mum is probably 5 and daughter (black cheek) a couple of years old.. You may struggle with the older of the two, but it's worth a try. Gary 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew123 72 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Papajay said: I'm north east Kent, Yourself? I'm a bit further south, about 12 miles south of maidstone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 5 minutes ago, Andrew123 said: I'm a bit further south, about 12 miles south of maidstone. I'm Northfleet, are there any good shows etc down here? pref not on a Sunday morning lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew123 72 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 Nettlestead on the 4th sunday of the month at 10.00am and Larkfield on the second sunday of the month at 6.30pm. I've usually got some zebs for sale if you're after any. I think I put you on to the nettlestead sale on facebook already. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyn 534 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 3 hours ago, Papajay said: Hey Andy, I am on Facebook, My Zebra Finches.. It was one of Lee Pycrofts posts that led me here I think Lee will have to get a gold star for that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papajay 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Andrew123 said: Nettlestead on the 4th sunday of the month at 10.00am and Larkfield on the second sunday of the month at 6.30pm. I've usually got some zebs for sale if you're after any. I think I put you on to the nettlestead sale on facebook already. Yes you did, I'm otherwise occupied Sunday mornings to be honest my i don't want to put too many more in my aviary unless I can find a really nice bc or two to replace my boy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew123 72 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 I've got some nice BC's to go. Lee might be upset though, everyone will have bc's except him! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee Pycroft 155 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 2 hours ago, Andyn said: I think Lee will have to get a gold star for that. Yeah that sounds good, whats a gold star by the way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee Pycroft 155 Report post Posted February 17, 2016 1 hour ago, Andrew123 said: I've got some nice BC's to go. Lee might be upset though, everyone will have bc's except him! ADMIN ADMIN ADMIN! this member needs baning asap, he's a bad-un! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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