Blossominu
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 4/27/20
- Messages
- 2
- Real Name
- Bryn
Hello all! I'm pretty new to the bird scene, and I've read that Diamond Doves are excellent first birds. I love doves and pigeons already, and to have almost a miniature version of those makes me very excited. They are similiar to finches in a lot of ways, so I thought I would ask here.
I'm ordering a male/female pair of Diamond Doves from Stromberg's Hatchery since it is the only place where they sex their doves, and also appear to have a better customer service from my experience, than both Petsmart and The Finch Farm. If any of you have experience with orders from there I would be happy to hear that, too.
I live in the midwest. I'm building a 8'x12' outdoor aviary that is mostly blocked against the elements, being right beside our house, but still gets trace amount of sunlight (I will provide a yellow heat lamp as supplement in the winter as well). The actual enclosure will be 8'x10' (the 2ft will include a double door system for safety and a food storage area) with a slanted roof that descends from 8ft to 6ft.
I hope that helps explain a few things. I'll leave numbered questions down below so it's easier to keep track of everything. I would also love to hear about your personal experience with these animals if you would like to share!
1. What mix of seeds/pellets is recommended for feeding? How much per day (i.e., TBS per bird or 1/4 cup total, since they are outdoor)? What greens should I supplement them with? Will they eat dried mealworms and millet spray as a treat?
Kaytee has an individual mix for doves, finches, and canaries. However, the Kaytee dove mix apparently has some seeds that are too big for diamond doves. Since doves are persistent and swallow seeds whole, would it be worth it to purchase anyway, or buy their finch seed mix and combine it with pellets? Or just a straight seed mix with extra black oil sunflower seeds?
2. What are some bird-friendly plants? Is oat grass (commonly used for cat grass boxes) safe for them to eat/walk on? What about blueberry bushes and the foliage?
While most of the foliage in my aviary will be faux plants, preferably one or two large plants in pots and bushy garland for cover, I would like to include a few real plants as well to improve their health and enrichment. They will be potted with a stone pebble cover above the pot's soil, minus the 'cat grass.'
3. Do I need to sterilize outside tree branches or take off the bark before putting them in the enclosure?
I would say that, roughly, 80% of the perches will be real tree branches from a cut oak tree on our property. They are fairly tall, with many different sized branches, and do not appear to be infested or moldy. We do not treat our trees. I have already picked out the branches and they are sitting out in the sun. Would it be worth it to carve off the bark? Most of the small bits and branches would fall off, so I was leaning towards just sanding down rough edges only and wiping down the branches with a mild white vinegar and water solution.
4. When should I take my birds for a vet check-up? How frequently? Once a year, or whenever something is amiss (they appear to be pretty hardy)?
Since they will be shipped through the post office, I feel that they will be stressed for a longer period. If I take them soon after recieving them, it may be dangerous for their health. When would be a good time for a check up?
5. What should I do with unwanted fertilized eggs?
I was considering eventually hatching a couple of birds out in the next year or two, however I heard they produce frequently. When the female lays eggs, should I replace them with two dummy eggs (I have about three small rounded stones I can use) and throw the real ones in the garbage; is there a better way to get rid of them?
6. Is it a bad idea to introduce birds much later (2-4 years) into the enclosure? Will this affect territory spaces and increase stress or will they adjust?
While I'm only ordering two currently, I am sure my eventual flock will consist of two or three more pairs. I hope to keep a few of the original pairs offspring and purchase a new bird of the opposite gender to hopefully make a breeding pair. However, this appears to be at least a minimum of a year down the line. Even if I add extra nests and feeding areas, would it be too stressful on my pair to have new birds enter their enclosure when they're so used to it already?
Thanks for all the help!! Sorry this is so long.
I'm ordering a male/female pair of Diamond Doves from Stromberg's Hatchery since it is the only place where they sex their doves, and also appear to have a better customer service from my experience, than both Petsmart and The Finch Farm. If any of you have experience with orders from there I would be happy to hear that, too.
I live in the midwest. I'm building a 8'x12' outdoor aviary that is mostly blocked against the elements, being right beside our house, but still gets trace amount of sunlight (I will provide a yellow heat lamp as supplement in the winter as well). The actual enclosure will be 8'x10' (the 2ft will include a double door system for safety and a food storage area) with a slanted roof that descends from 8ft to 6ft.
I hope that helps explain a few things. I'll leave numbered questions down below so it's easier to keep track of everything. I would also love to hear about your personal experience with these animals if you would like to share!
1. What mix of seeds/pellets is recommended for feeding? How much per day (i.e., TBS per bird or 1/4 cup total, since they are outdoor)? What greens should I supplement them with? Will they eat dried mealworms and millet spray as a treat?
Kaytee has an individual mix for doves, finches, and canaries. However, the Kaytee dove mix apparently has some seeds that are too big for diamond doves. Since doves are persistent and swallow seeds whole, would it be worth it to purchase anyway, or buy their finch seed mix and combine it with pellets? Or just a straight seed mix with extra black oil sunflower seeds?
2. What are some bird-friendly plants? Is oat grass (commonly used for cat grass boxes) safe for them to eat/walk on? What about blueberry bushes and the foliage?
While most of the foliage in my aviary will be faux plants, preferably one or two large plants in pots and bushy garland for cover, I would like to include a few real plants as well to improve their health and enrichment. They will be potted with a stone pebble cover above the pot's soil, minus the 'cat grass.'
3. Do I need to sterilize outside tree branches or take off the bark before putting them in the enclosure?
I would say that, roughly, 80% of the perches will be real tree branches from a cut oak tree on our property. They are fairly tall, with many different sized branches, and do not appear to be infested or moldy. We do not treat our trees. I have already picked out the branches and they are sitting out in the sun. Would it be worth it to carve off the bark? Most of the small bits and branches would fall off, so I was leaning towards just sanding down rough edges only and wiping down the branches with a mild white vinegar and water solution.
4. When should I take my birds for a vet check-up? How frequently? Once a year, or whenever something is amiss (they appear to be pretty hardy)?
Since they will be shipped through the post office, I feel that they will be stressed for a longer period. If I take them soon after recieving them, it may be dangerous for their health. When would be a good time for a check up?
5. What should I do with unwanted fertilized eggs?
I was considering eventually hatching a couple of birds out in the next year or two, however I heard they produce frequently. When the female lays eggs, should I replace them with two dummy eggs (I have about three small rounded stones I can use) and throw the real ones in the garbage; is there a better way to get rid of them?
6. Is it a bad idea to introduce birds much later (2-4 years) into the enclosure? Will this affect territory spaces and increase stress or will they adjust?
While I'm only ordering two currently, I am sure my eventual flock will consist of two or three more pairs. I hope to keep a few of the original pairs offspring and purchase a new bird of the opposite gender to hopefully make a breeding pair. However, this appears to be at least a minimum of a year down the line. Even if I add extra nests and feeding areas, would it be too stressful on my pair to have new birds enter their enclosure when they're so used to it already?
Thanks for all the help!! Sorry this is so long.