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BREEDS & their NEEDS
Spreo
Starling
LAMPROTOMIS SUPERBUS |
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GENERAL INFORMATION
(all underlined
words/phrases in
ORANGE are
relevant, useful links
to other pages in the
website
- just click on them to access)
DESCRIPTION :
ADVANTAGES to KEEPING the Spreo Starling
DISADVANTAGES
AVAILABILITY to PURCHASE
SUITABILITY
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Those
interesting in starting with soft-billed birds.
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They
are good for a first-timer
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As
they are fairly straightforward and hardy to look after.
DIET
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They
are omnivorous by nature (ie. they will eat a wide variety of
foods.)
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They
thrive on a diet of coarse-grade softbill food, chopped fruit
and some live-food such as
mealworms and crickets
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Calcium and a good Vit/min supplement is also required on a
regular basis.
HOUSING
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They
are best kept on their own.
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A
spacious Aviary planted with safe vegetation
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Expect some damage to the vegetation, which will need replacing
as and when necessary.
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They
must have a weatherproof Shelter/Shed area, for the colder
months
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If
your birds prefer to roost outside, make sure you provide
some winter protection in the form
of perspex sheeting to the outside of the Aviary mesh.
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No
bird can tolerated being in a draft - so makes sure the wind
can't "Whistle" thru the Aviary
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Make
sure your birds always have something wooden or plastic they can
get in or behind to shelter.
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They
love to bathe,
esp. in the Spring, so provide a suitable plastic dish (a dog's
bowl would be good.)
VOICE
NESTING
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Provide a medium-sized parakeet-style
NESTBOX in a protected, sheltered position.
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They
need plenty of assorted Nesting Material as they make a rather
bulky nest in the N.Box.
EGGS:
2 - 4
INCUBATION:
Approx. 13 days
FLEDGING:
Approx. 3 weeks
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It's
best to clean the nest out between broods, if possible.
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Once
the First Round of Chicks are independent probably best to
remove to another Aviary.
WORMING
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They
need regular
WORMING and good hygiene
standards because of their messy droppings due
to their soft-bill diet.
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Click
on link above for in depth details on Worming and Wormers
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Uneaten fruit, esp. in warm weather can cause a build-up of
fungal spores and can lead to digestive upsets or
potentially fatal infections.
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Perches must also be kept clean to prevent foot infections (see
Bumble Foot)
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Use
an absorbent Floor covering such as
"Easibed".
AVERAGE
LIFESPAN
DID YOU
KNOW?
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